During the “Chinese New Year” (Spring Festival) period, LHCH enjoys interviewing young Chinese people in Europe. Here, Xiao Wang who lives and studies in Budapest.
LHCH: Can you tell about your arrival in the capital of Hungary?
Xiao Wang: I arrived in Budapest in January 2020. So I have been living in Budapest for two years. I plan to complete four years of undergraduate studies in Business Administration and. And only then can you choose to return to China or continue studying abroad.
LHCH: Where are you from in China?
Xiao Wang: I am from the coastal province of Fujian, opposite the island of Taiwan. I am lucky because there are many compatriots from Fujian here in Budapest. With them, I have a lot of contacts. Otherwise, with the rest of the Chinese community, it is quite rare. We meet at university.
LHCH: Do you like Budapest?
Xiao Wang: Yes, I like the Central European lifestyle. And, in particular, in Budapest. We have the same values!
LHCH: Meaning?
Xiao Wang: Hungarians traditionally love family and homeland. At the same time, it is not aggressive nationalism because their way of dealing with foreigners is also very friendly. There are many places in the world where quiet acts of racial discrimination exist. Daily. But in Hungary, I did not feel any racism. Hungarians have a lot of respect for people who are different in their skin color and nationality. I think it’s a question of culture, of education. These values essential to living together are transmitted through the family.
LHCH: There is a lot of talk about nightlife in Budapest. There are many clubs and bars. Have you ever experienced this kind of fun?
Xiao Wang: Oh no… (laughs) I just like walking along the Danube which divides the city into Buda and Pest. It’s beautiful and romantic. It relaxes me after the stress of studying. We talk a lot about the beauty of Hungarian girls but I don’t really have the opportunity to meet them through my current lifestyle.
LHCH: What about Hungarian cuisine?
Xiao Wang: I like it very much. My favorite Hungarian dish is their fish soup, with several kinds of bread and lots of red peppers.
LHCH: How did you spend the Chinese New Year period in Budapest?
Xiao Wang: I had the Chinese New Year meal with my close friends. We made meatballs together. In fact, everyone prepared a dish. After this little feast, we played Mahjong and watched the Spring Festival show on TV. It was wonderful like every year!
