Recently I've been thinking that we learn new things everyday. It doesn't have to occur at school; it can happen anytime. Even when you're eating, walking or trying to sleep. I think everyone learns something completely new about themselves everyday. Sometimes a friend can help you thereby. For example, when I read a wallpost on Facebook of a friend of mine it was like that friend was talking about me. I absolutely felt the same way as her. She indirectly helped me find out something very new about me that I didn't think about myself.

Sometimes I can't believe I live on my own, in another country. It's at those times, when I feel a little lonely, when I miss the noise of my family talking, when I want to hear my native language around me; those times make me realize I am on my own now. I have to be strong, be independent.

When I walk on the small bridge on my way to school or back home I often think about how time flies. It's been already more than 8 months that I'm in the Netherlands now. How is it going to be next school year?

A country changes people

Since a few weeks ago I have realized that I have changed. They say that people change everyday, but I think that sounds a bit too exaggerating. I can tell about my experience. I was born in Curacao and I lived there till I was almost 18 years old. I've always thought I was open-minded. Having lived in The Netherlands for more than half a year I've realized that my way of thinking has changed. I used to look down on Chinese people in general, although I'm Chinese myself. The thing is that I wasn't born in China and I felt that I was different than the other Chinese people who were originally from China. Maybe it's because of their clothing style and/or accent.

However, that way of thinking has changed. I learnt that they cannot control their accent and I shouldn't laugh at them for that. Although, I still think they sound funny. Another reason of why I feel that I'm different than other Chinese people is that I like to be tanned, light-brown skinned. All Chinese people that I've met so far would like to be white. Being white means beauty according to them.

Another thing is that I felt weird around Chinese people in Curacao. When I enter a place where all people are Chinese I felt really awkward, like I don't fit in or belong there.

Moreover, I had no interest in the Chinese culture and I knew very little about it. Since I've moved to The Netherlands I wanted to know more about the Chinese culture. China is so big and every family has its own traditions.

IBA also has had an impact on my thoughts. Meeting people of different countries, places, cultures certainly changes your perspective of people. It gets you interested in other people's culture.

Concluding, you can say that I'm not proud of being Chinese or I don't care about it at all. However, what I wanted to say is that Holland really changed my mind. Nowadays I have more respect for Chinese people  and I have gained interest in the Chinese culture.