Wudaokou Watch: "Jamaica Could Benefit to Learn From the Support China Gives Its Companies"

Welcome to Wudaokou Watch, where we profile a different Beijing-based international student each week (we eventually aim to feature a student from every country in the world) to hear about their life in China's capital. You can read the whole series here.

My name is Danielle Webster and I hail from the vibrant island of Jamaica in the Caribbean, the first country in the West to build a railway – isn't that interesting?

I am currently studying animation at the Beijing Film Academy. I am studying animation because I had the opportunity back home to dabble a bit in the industry and found myself at ease and enraptured by the time, effort and, artistry in animated movies and clips.

I once believed that Chinese food back home and the food here would be very similar because of the large amount of Jamaicans from Chinese descent.

If I could become a Chinese citizen, I would not. If I could have dual citizenship I would consider applying for Chinese citizenship. However, to completely denounce my Jamaican citizenship for that of another country is not a direction I ever see myself going in.

One thing that everybody should experience in life before they die is spending Chinese New Year by going to a park and enjoying the fireworks, food, plays, and people.

The best part of Beijing life that I will surely miss is what I call the unsung heroes of China, the waimai and kuaidi ren. I will also miss the efficiency and convenience of the transport system.

I think Jamaica could benefit to learn from the support China gives its own companies and businesses. 

Jamaican people are generally very friendly and relaxed. I believe China would benefit from this custom as they seem to always be going at full speed and not taking in what is going on around them.

Jamaica is a very small island and so everything is a few minutes to a few hours away. I have gone on what I thought would be short trips to visit friends at other schools and ended up on the train for 2-3 hours. From now on I will always check the distance of places before leaving.

If my home was on fire I would grab my documents, my laptop, and my phone.

Five years from now I want to be settled in my career and playing a more active role in the fight against climate change.

If I could give myself some advice before coming to China it would be to hit up some Chinese language classes at the Confucius Institute at least a year in advance.

READ: "If I Could Give My Pre-China Self Some Advice, It Would Be to '多喝热水!'"

Photos courtesy of Danielle Webster