From Small to Big. From Macedonia to China | Temjana Trpkoska | TEDxBSB Shunyi Youth

TL;DR

A teenager from Macedonia shares challenges of moving to China & adapting to cultural differences in daily life.

Transcript

[Applause] hi my name is Dam trosa but a lot of you probably can't pronounce that so you can just call me Taylor now before I start my talk how many of you have heard of the balcons some of you that's good how many of you have heard of Macedonia quite a lot of you okay well this is Macedonia as you can see it's a pretty average country now this is ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🇨🇳 Taylor's move from Macedonia to China was initially filled with challenges, especially in adapting to cultural differences and language barriers.
• 🇲🇰 The significant contrast in population size and area between Macedonia and Beijing posed adaptation difficulties for Taylor.
• ⚾ The transition from a cash-based society in Macedonia to a digital payment system in China required Taylor to adjust her payment habits.
• 😨 Navigating public transportation, particularly subways, in Beijing was a new experience for Taylor, who was used to walking or traveling by car in Macedonia.
• 🇨🇳 Despite the initial struggles, Taylor has made progress in learning Chinese and adapting to life in China, with the support of friends and the realization that China has become a second home to her.
• 🌚 Taylor's experiences highlight the resilience and adaptability of youth in facing challenges in new environments.
• 💗 Cultural exchange and language learning have played crucial roles in Taylor's integration into Chinese society and her growing comfort with living in Beijing.

Questions & Answers

Q: What prompted Taylor's move from Macedonia to China?

Taylor moved to China because of her mother's job, which required their relocation from Macedonia to Beijing, where she has been living for four years.

Q: What were some major challenges Taylor faced in adapting to life in China?

Taylor struggled with cultural differences, learning the language, and adjusting to the big city lifestyle, including different payment methods and transportation options like subways.

Q: How did Taylor overcome the language barrier in China?

Taylor started learning Chinese through lessons and practice, seeking help from friends, including Chinese peers, to improve her language skills gradually.

Q: How does Taylor feel about living in China after four years?

After four years in China, Taylor considers it her second home, acknowledging that she will carry her Macedonian roots in her heart even as she plans to finish high school and university in different countries.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker, Taylor, moved from Macedonia to China due to her mother's job.

• She faced challenges in adapting to the cultural differences, language, and lifestyle in Beijing.

• Despite the hurdles, Taylor overcame most challenges and considers China her second home.