Wudaokou Watch: "I Want to Develop a Group That Empowers Women"
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In Wudaokou Watch, we profile a different Beijing-based student from abroad each week to hear about their life in China's capital.
Tell us your name and where you're from.
My name is Maryam Hamdu Khalfan and I'm from Zanzibar, Tanzania. Tanzania's main industries are fishing, tourism, and spices – in particular, cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and black paper. For this reason, the Zanzibar Archipelago is nicknamed “Spice Island.” Tanzania is also home to Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa.
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Why did you come to Beijing?
For my studies; I am doing my master's degree in social work, women’s leadership, and social development. In Zanzibar I was working in the president’s office, specifically regional administration of local governments as a district medical officer. So I came here to expand my knowledge and skills in the management of public services.
How is life in Beijing different from in your home country?
Life in Beijing is fruitful and amazing! It is like a dream. I have been very lucky to be able to stay here for two years for my studies. Beijing is a developed and modern city that has a lot of attractive things like ring roads, overpasses, skyscrapers, industry, and other things that are not available in my country. [Ed's: note: Ms. Khalfan may be the first person ever to refer to the ring roads as "attractive."]
What are the biggest challenges for you here?
The hard water, inorganic foods, and pollution are terrible. These things damage my hair, give me serious headaches, and have even made me sick at times.
Name three of your favorite hangouts and why.
The cinema: I like watching movies with lots of people who are having a good time. Also, Indian restaurants to eat Indian food because it tastes most like the cuisine from my home town. I also like to visit the Olympic Park because they have lots of activities like dancing, swimming, and children's play areas. There are also lots of flowers, and I am always very happy to see flowers, so I like it very much.
What do you do when you are feeling homesick?
I just pick up my phone and contact the people close to me. I also have pictures of my family; at times I look at them and I find myself kissing them and smiling. Our campus is very nice and beautiful and the administrators treat us very well, they are very close to us, and I appreciate this very much, so for this reason, I don’t miss home that much.
What do you love most about Beijing?
There is an organization (All-China Women’s Federation, womenofchina.cn) which promotes government policies regarding women and protects women’s rights within the government. They focus on eradicating the assumption that women are inferior to men. Here women are empowered and promoted socially and economically. I really appreciate China for having this organization, which looks to improve the lives of women. I also love life here. It's very simple, especially when it comes to online shopping (Taobao).
What is your most memorable Beijing experience?
My visit to the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the National Museum, and dancing on International Women's Day – these are all super memorable days for me.
How has life in Beijing impacted you?
Life in Beijing is tremendously good, I've met many people who are on the same path as me, and many who are far from my path. I've learned a lot from them and they have learned from me too. The knowledge acquired here will help improve my country and family after my studies in Beijing, yield a lifetime of benefit in educational attainment and career success. I am pretty sure I will develop where I want to be and where I will go.
What inspires you and what are your plans?
The high-speed development of China, especially in Beijing and other developing cities in this country, has inspired me a lot. I will study hard to complete my career and go back home to contribute to my country’s development. In the future, I want to establish an NGO that will stand to support all women and empower them socially, psychologically, and economically particularly with regards to rural and lower economic status women.
READ: “My Plans? To Be Genuine, Be Myself, and Stay Focused"
Are you a student in Beijing? Let us profile you and your unique experiences here. Drop us a line at editor@thebeijinger.com and we’ll get back to you to schedule an interview.
Images courtesy of Maryam Hamdu Khalfan
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