To China and back home to Trinidad

August 29, 2016

Candida Khan provides a personal narrative detailing her relocation from Trinidad to China as a young teenager and her eventual return to her home country. This account explores the cultural and environmental shifts experienced when moving from a tropical climate to the cold winters of East Asia between 2003 and 2008.

The narrative highlights the transition from the Trinidadian school system to a British International School in China, noting the challenges of integration as one of the few students of Caribbean descent. Khan describes the process of forming cross-cultural friendships and the initial difficulty of adapting to a new social environment.

The article further examines the contrast between the freezing temperatures of China and the year-round warmth of Trinidad and Tobago. Ultimately, the story reflects on the growth gained through international travel and the pursuit of professional goals in dietetics and nutrition upon returning to the Caribbean.

This perspective provides insight into the expatriate experience from a youth viewpoint and the enduring value of regional identity.

Key Takeaways

Relocation to China introduced significant environmental changes including extreme winter temperatures and new clothing requirements.
Attending a British International School facilitated cross-cultural interactions and the development of long-term international friendships.
Navigating a foreign education system as a minority required resilience and an open-minded approach to social integration.
Returning to Trinidad highlighted a deep appreciation for local climate, family connections and regional coastal landscapes.
International experiences during formative years contributed to personal development and a diverse perspective on global cultures.

Relocation to China and back to Trinidad: Growth through global travel and local roots

By Candida Khan. I’ve had the most amazing and challenging experiences during the years 2003 to 2008. You may be wondering what I could be possibly speaking about. Well, my family and I moved from our home land to a foreign country, you could even say that it was on the other side of the planet. We moved to China.

Freezing cold in China

I was only 12 years old when we moved. My father was offered a job there and I was ready for a change. Completely excited to meet new people and see what the world had to offer, I approached the opportunity with an open mind and anxious spirit.

After many flights, we finally made it to China around the end of December 2003. Smiling from ear to ear with my heart racing with excitement, we landed on the ground of a foreign place.

My first thought was, “This place is freezing cold!” Shivering from head to toe, we ran to a car that took us to a shopping mall where we bought winter clothes! It was such a rush to be in a place where the sun did not warm the earth. The cold winter breeze was a completely new experience.

Only Trinbagonians in a school in China

My siblings and I started school there. My younger brother was in what was called year 5, I was in year 7 and my sister was in year 9. The system of a British International School was completely different.

We were the only Trinbagonians there and there were only 2 or 3 other brown skinned students in the whole school! It was a new school, but very promising. Unlike schools in Trinidad, we had very small classes in that my class held around 16 persons.

Missed Trinidad and Tobago

At first, it was difficult to make friends. After a while, however, I did make a really close friend who I still speak with up to this very day! She’s from Germany. We had such adventures in China. It really impacted my life in a positive way.

Now, I’m back home in Trinidad and Tobago currently pursuing a Diploma in Institutional and Community Dietetics and Nutrition. I have missed it here so much, my family, the beaches, the warmth; it feels like Spring all year round!

I am grateful for the many adventures I’ve had so far and I know that there’s more to come. Life has many ups and downs, twist and turns, but just hold on for the ride, there’s always an adventure ahead!

Candida Khan is a versatile writer and contributor to Sweet TnT Magazine, where she documents the cultural fabric and agricultural traditions of Trinidad and Tobago through personal narrative and observation. Her writing emphasises family unity and the preservation of heritage through local culinary practices and communal activities. Khan provides insightful coverage of regional landmarks and the environmental realities affecting the Caribbean agricultural sector. The author explores the relationship between nature and domestic life, focusing on local flora, fauna, and animal companionship.

February 2015 – Issue 14 www.sweettntmagazine.com

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