半徑擴大的同心圓：From Hometown to all Corners of the World
受農耕文明締造的精神底色之影響，傳統中國的文化語境對于地緣意義上的故土有種獨特的執著。“背井離鄉”“反認他鄉作故鄉”這些耳熟能詳的語言敘事在字句之間無形地豎起了“故土”與“異鄉”之間的厚障壁。但是，隨著各國之間跨越地緣的交流日益密切，受全球化趨勢影響的我們，正在嘗試著用自己的體驗和理解，逐漸重構和詮釋一種新的秩序。在此篇訪談中，我們邀請到了四位背景迥然不同的同學，共同探討“在不同背景青年的視閾中，傳統意義上的“故鄉”與“異鄉”會煥發出怎樣的富有時代性和現象級的光彩。
As communication across borders becomes increasingly interconnected among countries due to globalization, we are trying to use our personal experiences to comprehend the traditional concepts of "hometown" and "foreign land." In this interview, we invited four students from vastly diverse backgrounds to discuss this topic.
受訪者：（排名不分先后）
Chapter 1. Past/Motivation 過去/動機
1、最初想要離家千里到異國他鄉求學的動機是什么呢？(What was the initial motivation for traveling thousands of miles away from your hometown to study in a foreign land?)
雪茹（中國）：第一個原因是想環游世界。我一直很喜歡旅行，喜歡去陌生的城市、探索未知的東西、了解不同的文化。之前只要有人問我的夢想是什么，我都會說我要環游世界。所以出國交換對我來說就像開辟隱藏地圖，充滿了新鮮感。
第二是由于在學業上的迷茫和焦慮。我的大學生活基本是一年一個階段，大一剛從高中壓抑的學習狀態中脫離出來，盡情地享受了我想象中的大學生活。但大二時我就被撲面而來的壓力逼得喘不過氣——因大一玩得太開心而不太理想的GPA、實習的勞累、發展方向的迷失、各種考試DDL、疫情封控等等。我甚至在那時候出現了焦慮癥癥狀而被醫生建議一定要調整好心態——所以我很早就計劃的大三一整年的交換，也是為了給自己一個盼頭。我不想再隨著大流的標準被內卷著稀里糊涂過完寶貴的大學生活，想出去尋找一下自己的方向。
在結束ESSEC商學院交換項目之際，雪茹在校內與朋友們聚餐話別??At the end of the exchange program at ESSEC Business School, Xueru had a farewell dinner with friends on campus.
Alae-eddie (Morocco): The initial motivation for venturing thousands of miles away from my Moroccan hometown to study in China stemmed from a desire for growth, exploration, and the pursuit of knowledge beyond familiar borders. While it's true that the allure of China's thriving tech industry, particularly in the field of computer science, played a significant role in my decision, I know deep inside that the real reason goes deeper than mere academic opportunities. I was also a huge fan of learning languages and the culture behind them.
Growing up in Morocco, a country renowned for its deep ancient culture and vibrant tapestry of influences from various civilizations, I was fortunate to experience the richness of diversity from an early age. As a trilingual individual navigating the streets of Morocco, I was exposed to a myriad of languages, traditions, and customs that reflected the interconnectedness of cultures throughout history. This melting pot of influences not only shaped the mosaic of Moroccan identity but also instilled in me a profound appreciation for the complexities of cultural exchange and communication. From the bustling souks where merchants haggle in a blend of Arabic, Berber, and French to the echoes of Andalusian melodies reverberating through the winding alleys of ancient medinas, Morocco serves as a living testament to the power of cross-cultural dialogue in shaping the fabric of society.
Alae-eddie在摩洛哥的街頭集市??Alae-eddie in the street market of Morocco.
Natalia (Mexico): My initial motivation was to get myself immersed in China; and get to know the country better, its people, its cultures, its stories, and its history. Due to the fact that the relationship between China and Mexico has been growing and since I’m majoring in International Relations, I want to experience myself if everything that the world is saying about China is on the mark.
Marie (Norway): It was all about grasping the opportunity to experience a new culture and region that I was curious about. Studying abroad teaches you about entirely different lifestyles and opens you up to new perspectives on the world and the way that people think. I was also interested in meeting new people and exploring parts of the world that I had never seen before.
?
2. 能否分享自己與故鄉之間的故事，這個故事又如何塑造了你對于故鄉的印象？(Can you share a story about you and your hometown and how it shaped your impression of your hometown?)
雪茹（中國）：我的故鄉浙江長興散發著一種獨特的輕松氛圍。與深圳的匆匆忙忙相比，我返鄉后能體會到一種慢節奏的生活：一家人到風景區轉悠，在家鄉商場里與售貨員拉家常，在綠道上悠閑地喂喂流浪貓……這一切在我的心中構成了故鄉的畫面，是我想守護的一方恬淡美好。
Alae-eddie (Morocco): One unforgettable memory that shaped my impression of my hometown was the bustling Jemaa el-Fnaa square, a vibrant melting pot where storytellers, musicians, and merchants converge, creating an atmosphere teeming with energy and tradition. In this lively marketplace, I witnessed a kaleidoscope of languages and faces from around the globe, highlighting the square's welcoming embrace of diversity. I remember hearing an old shopkeeper talking with East Asians and Europeans alike. I was mind-blown. They were effortlessly bridging linguistic barriers and fostering connections among visitors from all walks of life.
摩洛哥的杰瑪艾夫納廣場，該廣場展現了摩洛哥大眾文化傳統的精髓 Jemaa el-Fnaa Square?
Natalia (Mexico): I grew up in Mexico City, the capital of Mexico, which to some extent gave me a more diverse perspective of how cross-cultural interactions work, in the sense that I could get to know people from different parts of Mexico, as well as people from all over the world. Ergo, I’ve learned about Mexican cultures and traditions while living and coexisting in the capital with people from different places. In that same sense, in Mexico City people speak different languages and have various backgrounds, which made me realize how different and diverse not only the world could be, but also one country per se.
墨西哥城鳥瞰圖?Aerial view of Mexico City.
Marie (Norway): When I think of my hometown, I immediately think of nature and serenity. As a child, I would spend most of my time playing outside, regardless of the weather. We have a saying in Norwegian that translates to “There is no bad weather, only bad clothes”, which I think is a good representation of how much we love the outdoors. On the weekends, for example, we would always go on walks and have picnics in the forest with our friends and family. During the Easter holidays, we would be out skiing every day, followed by running around the cabin searching for Easter eggs. My entire childhood has raised me with
Maire六歲時和朋友們在挪威的森林里玩耍?When Maire was six years old, she played with her friends in the forests of Norway.
?
Chapter 2. Present/Experience feeling 現在/體悟
1. 初到異國時，會因為當地與故鄉存在差異而感到不適應嗎？又是怎樣去克服的呢？( When you first arrived in the foreign country you studied in, did you have any difficulties when encountering cultural differences? And how did you overcome it? )
雪茹（中國）：我剛到法國時，正值疫情，因為出了國就沒戴過口罩，我馬上就陽了。不太好的健康狀況也放大了異國生活的不適應帶來的麻煩。在國外的生活遠沒有國內便捷——我想辦電話卡，運營商告訴我電話卡需要綁定一張法國銀行卡，于是我就去辦銀行卡，銀行卡又有復雜的文件和程序……我已經數不清跑了多少次辦公室，寫了多少封郵件了。超市里，很難為我的中式菜譜找到食材；在藥店，我也發現很難向藥師描述“上火了“這件事。雖然這些差異有時候會讓我覺得很苦惱，但它們也讓我發現了很多我曾經以為普適的概念，其實是獨屬于我的故鄉的。
學會“逐漸理解差異”是我能適應這種矛盾的良藥。比如在丹麥的時候，我很疑惑為什么哥本哈根會有很多賣卡牌游戲和玩具的連鎖店，以及為什么工作日的公園有很多曬太陽的人。但在對丹麥了解不斷深入后，我就能明白他們的幸福感來源于一種不必艷羨他人的平等的生活狀態，于是在丹麥我也愛上了曬太陽。
Alae-eddie (Morocco): Upon arriving in China, the differences were so massive. I wouldn't say I was uncomfortable, but I was almost dissociated from the world. There was a stark contrast between the vibrant chaos of places like Marrakech where every stranger is talking to you and the organized bustle of Chinese cities where everyone is minding their own business. However, I was excited! I took it as a challenge to immerse myself in the local culture, I sampled new cuisines to find what I like and forged friendships with fellow students. That is the beauty of cultural diversity.
Natalia (Mexico): I must admit that my first day in China was tough, mainly because I don’t speak Mandarin, so the communication barriers were more substantial than expected. Actually, to some extent, I felt frustrated because I couldn’t communicate with others and not be able to even use a translator. Without a Chinese phone number and mobile data, I couldn’t do anything, neither could I pay (no WeChat Pay or Alipay), nor use public transport or order a Didi. That was the hardest part I would say, but I was able to overcome the situation afterwards. After getting my Chinese SIM Card, I learned how to pay and do everything online and with my phone. However, I must emphasize that Chinese people were always very helpful, kind, and cooperative which made the overcoming part more harmonious.
Marie (Norway): There were definitely a lot of differences and culture shocks I hadn’t foreseen, such as the extensive use of technology in everyday life and the city′s high population density. In my hometown, we do not have an app like WeChat that compresses multiple functions and services into one, and our streets are rarely crowded with people. I received a lot of help from my roommates and Chinese friends to show me how everything worked, especially when most applications and information were only provided in Mandarin. So, the language barrier was also another big challenge for me when I first arrived in China. This encouraged me to spend more time improving my Mandarin proficiency in order to be able to handle more situations on my own.
?
2. 在異國他鄉的時候最想念故鄉的什么事物？(What do you miss the most about your hometown when you are in a foreign country?)
雪茹（中國）：最想念故鄉的美食和文化。在國外時，如果大家想一起吃頓火鍋了，從國內背來火鍋底料的朋友此時就仿佛散發著圣光。在柏林洪堡上寒課期間，我第一次在異國度過春節——那天的年夜飯有大陸、香港、韓國的同學。故鄉的范圍可大可小，從具體的家，到亞洲，或是更大，都可以讓不同的人找到共同的歸屬感。文化把在異鄉的同鄉人連接在一起，這是一種很強大的力量，也讓我感到很溫暖。
Alae-eddie (Morocco): Food! I miss all the friends and family obviously... but then there is the food... specifically, the smell of the food! I miss the aroma of Moroccan spices wafting through the air, The smell of the traditional mint tea that cannot be replicated...
The nostalgia reminds me of the warmth of family gatherings. Being away from home has 100% deepened my appreciation for the diversity in Moroccan cuisine and strengthened my bond with my roots.
Natalia (Mexico): My mum, of course, and probably the social interaction; we are used to saying “Hi” and “Good morning/afternoon/evening/night” to people in the halls, in the school, or on the streets even if we don't know each other. That’s because we believe that we are all human beings and since we coexist in the very same place it’s nice to recognize the existence of the other person and just smile, be kind, or wish them to have a good day. So I miss that about my hometown because here people don’t usually say “hi” if they don’t know each other, though I’m getting used to it already.
Marie (Norway): I honestly miss my house the most. I miss the comfort of being at home and having everything that I grew up with around me. My house is almost like my safety net. The place that I can go to and feel most protected, knowing that my family and loved ones are nearby.
?
3. 對于故鄉有沒有由于距離和國界產生新的認識和理解？(Did you develop a new understanding of your home country due to distance and borders?)
雪茹（中國）：故鄉就像一個以我的家庭為圓心向外擴展、半徑不斷增大的同心圓，我與別人的相似性受彼此故鄉范圍的重合度影響。當我在不同地方生活、了解更多文化時，我的故鄉半徑也在不斷擴大，我對所見所聞也有了更多包容和理解。當組成我們認知結構的“故鄉”變得更加豐富和復雜，它便能兼容不同交流對象和地區的文化共識。
Alae-eddie (Morocco): Through distance and borders, I've gained a new understanding of my home country, recognizing its complexities and nuances beyond the surface. I would never have been able to write the past paragraphs about Morocco if I hadn't gone abroad and viewed it through an external lens, more critical of the things it is missing but still cherishing its unique identity.
Natalia (Mexico): Definitely, every time I get out of the country I learn something different about it. Sometimes we don’t realize that we do or we like certain things about our hometowns until we go to other places and see that not everywhere works the same way.
仿佛打翻上帝的調色盤一般絢麗的墨西哥城??Mexico City
?
4. 隨著時間的推移，你對異國的感受和你的心態是怎樣發生變化的？你自己的身份認同是否有在這一段經歷中也發生著改變呢? (How have your feelings and mindset towards the foreign country changed over time?? Did your sense of identity also undergo any changes during the experience?)
雪茹（中國）：我以前會淺顯地認為說好一門語言并在這個國家找到好的工作，我就可以舒適地在那里生活下去。但在國外呆的時間越長，我越能發覺一種源于文化歸屬的孤獨。就像前一問題里我舉的故鄉半徑的例子，我在哪里生活得越久，我就在哪里擁有更深的文化理解，但故鄉半徑的擴大并不代表文化歸屬范圍的擴大。無論到哪里，我都還是中國人，這個身份認同是無法改變的。
Alae-eddie (Morocco): As time has passed, my mindset has evolved a lot here. Especially in an international university like CUHKSZ where I have met people from countries I didn't even know existed. These experiences really make you understand how big the world is. It keeps your ego in check and helps you transcend the narrow notions exclusive to your hometown.
This whole chapter in a foreign land has challenged and reshaped my self-identity, fostering a sense of adaptability and resilience when facing the unknown.
Natalia (Mexico): It’s complex, because it's evident that my mindset has changed over my stay here, but at the same time I don’t feel I’m a different person. It’s as if I have known new versions of myself during my experience in China, that I’ve learned so many things about life, I’ve met so many extraordinary people, and of course, I’ve really identified myself with certain things here, but I wouldn’t say that my identity has changed at all, probably it just got reinforced.
Marie (Norway): I feel like I have become braver and more independent from when I first arrived in China. Moving to a foreign country means leaving your family and everything you are familiar with behind. I had to learn to adapt to the lifestyle here and find ways to support myself when times were hard. Through these experiences, I feel that I have become stronger mentally, and also more resilient to change.??
?
Chapter 3. Future/ Identity 未來/身份歸屬
1. 你對“故鄉”和“他鄉”這兩個名詞在這一段到國外求學的經歷中是否有產生新的理解呢？兩者的概念是否會在某些時候發生交叉互換呢？(Have you developed a new understanding of the terms "hometown" and "foreign land" during your experience of studying abroad? Did the concepts of the two cross over at some point?)
雪茹（中國）：我對故鄉的理解在不斷更新，小時候會說故鄉是浙江長興，到了國外我的故鄉就是中國，在歐洲遇到韓國、日本或者越南同學，我們也說是從一個故鄉——“亞洲”來的。回國以后，和朋友懷念在丹麥交換的生活時，我們也說那是我們的精神老家，因為我們在一個特別的地方擁有了一段共同的回憶。所以故鄉在不同的語境下，成為了我和其他人的最大公約數。他鄉與故鄉則相對，過去可能是除我出生地以外的所有地方，但現在我更愿意把他鄉當作我未曾到達和了解的地方，因此他鄉與故鄉在不同討論下可能就會有重疊了。
Alae-eddie (Morocco): Yes! Studying abroad has totally blurred the line between "hometown" and "foreign land", leading me to realize that home is not solely defined by geographical location but by the connections we forge and the memories we create. The concepts of home and abroad intersect in unexpected ways.
Natalia (Mexico): To some extent, I think I have, I realized that hometown does not always mean “good”, or “safe”, and that foreign land does not always mean “bad”, “against” or “opposite”. I always knew it was more complex than that, but it is not until you immerse yourself in the foreign country that you acquire that it’s indeed more complex than we could even imagine or that we could even understand. Likewise, I do believe both concepts cross over at some point and it’s when you get to know the similarities between your hometown and the foreign country and where they both convey.?
Marie (Norway): Living in a foreign country for an extended period of time, has slightly influenced my perception of where “home” is. I naturally feel a stronger connection and belonging to my hometown; however, I have also built an entirely new life here in Shenzhen. Things have gone from new and unfamiliar, to normal and routine. So although I always look forward to traveling back home to Norway during the holidays, I know that once I graduate, I will miss the home that I had here as well.
?
6. 是否有在異域文化中加深的對于原生文化的更復雜感情和理解？你認為在全球化的大框架下，世界公民這個新的身份是怎樣在調整故國與他國之間的界限？個人應該如何讓異鄉與故鄉在認知之中共處呢？(Do you develop more complex feelings and understandings about your own culture when you are immersed in an exotic culture? How does the concept of being a global citizen help you adjust the boundaries between home and abroad in the context of globalization? How should individuals reconcile the concepts of foreign land and homeland in their perception?
雪茹（中國）：我和一個丹麥好朋友有次就聊到了這個。她叫Lilian，她的父母是從越南移民到丹麥的，她從小在丹麥長大。我參加了她的生日游船party，但我發現她的朋友大部分是越南裔或者亞裔的。我當時問她：“如果這不冒犯的話，我想知道為什么你從小在丹麥長大，但是相比當地白人更喜歡和越南裔朋友相處，是因為丹麥白人的圈子難以融入嗎？”
她的回答讓我開始思考異域文化和原生文化的關系。因為她在丹麥成長，完全能融入丹麥的文化，但是相比拋棄自己的身份認同變得和傳統丹麥白人無異，她更為從家庭中延續而來的越南文化背景而自豪和自洽。在丹麥，她能通過原生文化吸引到喜好相似的人，她和同樣有越南背景或者亞洲背景的朋友相處有一種文化的歸屬感，可以說只有這個文化背景才能聊得起來的話題、開得了的玩笑，可以在飲食偏好上輕松地達成共識。這樣一想，其實我能和她關系這么好，也是因為，雖然我們生活環境和成長模式差異巨大，但我們在更深的基因和文化中共享一種天然的認同。
因此我認為，原生文化是根植在種族、血緣和基因上的深層因素，即使代際生活環境有巨大的轉移，原生文化的影響也是持續存在的。原生文化是我們擁有文化歸屬感的前提，而異域文化則是我們融入和理解他人生活方式的關鍵。與Lilian很好地平衡原生文化與異域文化相反的一個現象是，我在國外也不乏遇到母語羞恥和主動拋棄原生文化的國人，他/她們以完全融入異域文化為目標，實則拋棄了與擁有相同原生文化人們的天然聯結，不僅會產生別扭的身份認知，也會體現一種隱隱的自卑，這和電影《綠皮書》在討論的身份認同問題類似，“If I'm not black enough, and if I'm not white enough, then what am I?”我們探討文化融合的理想狀態首先就應排除種族歧視，因為原生文化與族裔和血緣有不可分割的聯系，其與異域文化的界限在于我們對異域文化的接納是根植于原生文化的，首先是自己的身份認同，再是認同他人的身份。
雪茹與Lilian在丹麥的草坪上享受陽光? ?Xueru and Lilian enjoy the sunshine on the lawn in Denmark.
Alae-eddie (Morocco): Immersion in an exotic culture has deepened my understanding of my heritage. This was mostly felt through all the conversations and reflections I had prompted by other people questioning me and my habits. When someone says, “Wow you guys do that in Morocco?” I also go, “Oh wow yes that is definitely unique, I never noticed until now!”
Currently, as a global citizen, I navigate the intersections of different cultures with ease, embracing the richness of diversity while honoring my roots. The emergence of this identity challenges traditional notions of belonging, urging individuals to reconcile their attachments to both their home country and the world at large. It is a very beautiful phenomenon. There are obvious risks but with openness, empathy, and a willingness to embrace complexity. I believe this will blossom into a beautiful future for Humanity.
Natalia (Mexico): Yeah, I believe that my feelings and my understanding of my culture got deepened with my living experience in China. Above all, I noticed the importance of all the historical processes that have led us to this actual moment. And that’s why I don’t share the idea that there is something such as “global citizens”, because even though globalization has indeed broken boundaries, what makes a place or a “country” different from others is the history, its people, its stories… and that is where my point relies on, on the importance of memory. In fact, we could make the foreign country and the home country coexist by not forgetting where both really come from.
Marie (Norway): I think I have gained a better understanding of my own culture and what its key characteristics are, because when you live abroad, it is very easy to compare the culture you are living in now, to what you are used to back home. This comparison makes you more aware of the differences and also the reasons behind them, which I find to be very interesting.
I think by being a “global citizen”, people are less likely to feel like their hometown is the only place that they belong. They are more open in their perspectives on what our individual roles should be for the world as a whole, rather than just focusing on what they can do for their community at home.?
When one chooses to travel to a foreign country, there is usually a reason or purpose behind it. For me, that was to study abroad. So, for this period and purpose in my life, the foreign country that I have traveled to has become my new home. However, once this period of my life is over, i.e. I graduate from university; I will have my home in my home country to travel back to. By looking at it from this perspective, I think that the foreign country and the home country can coexist in recognition.
?
欄目編輯：蒲嚴博 2021級 經管學院 祥波書院
責任編輯：劉璐嘉 2023級 經管學院 厚含書院
