When my friends asked me where I came from, I said China. I told them about holidays like Chinese New Year and Yuan Xiao Jie, where people eat yuan xiao. Then I talked about the foods I eat on those days, like fish, chicken, or other sorts of meat. Then I talked about how those holidays impact my life. Then I talked about my beliefs and how that impacts my day-to-day life.
I talked about the history of China, such as the Warring States period, the emperors who ruled, and the challenges they overcame. I talked about China being a very early country, and I also talked about the things it invented, like the compass, gunpowder, and even paper.
I talked about the Silk Road and the people China traded with, and the wars it fought against other countries, such as Mongolia, against Japan, and during the Western occupation in the Qing dynasty. I talked about the role China played in World War II and the things that happened during that time.
Then I talked about my trip to China and the places I visited, such as Chengdu to see the pandas. I also talked about going to the capital and going inside the Forbidden Palace. I told them about the national parks and how the water there was so colorful. I told them about the mountains that were huge and beautiful, the rivers that were long and had strong currents, and the fast trains that made my ears pop.
I told them about flying home and the differences between China and America, such as the temperature and the sights. I finished by asking them about their culture.
I believe that if we share our cultures, we can learn from each other and become better people. By informing and educating one another about our past and present, we can learn.
(Third Prize)
