受农耕文明缔造的精神底色之影响，传统中国的文化语境对于地缘意义上的故土有种独特的执着。“背井离乡”“反认他乡作故乡”这些耳熟能详的语言叙事在字句之间无形地竖起了“故土”与“异乡”之间的厚障壁。但是，随着各国之间跨越地缘的交流日益密切，受全球化趋势影响的我们，正在尝试着用自己的体验和理解，逐渐重构和诠释一种新的秩序。在此篇访谈中，我们邀请到了四位背景迥然不同的同学，共同探讨“在不同背景青年的视阈中，传统意义上的“故乡”与“异乡”会焕发出怎样的富有时代性和现象级的光彩。

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.

受访者：（排名不分先后）

Chapter 1. Past/Motivation 过去/动机

1、最初想要离家千里到异国他乡求学的动机是什么呢？(What was the initial motivation for traveling thousands of miles away from your hometown to study in a foreign land?)

雪茹（中国）：第一个原因是想环游世界。我一直很喜欢旅行，喜欢去陌生的城市、探索未知的东西、了解不同的文化。之前只要有人问我的梦想是什么，我都会说我要环游世界。所以出国交换对我来说就像开辟隐藏地图，充满了新鲜感。

第二是由于在学业上的迷茫和焦虑。我的大学生活基本是一年一个阶段，大一刚从高中压抑的学习状态中脱离出来，尽情地享受了我想象中的大学生活。但大二时我就被扑面而来的压力逼得喘不过气——因大一玩得太开心而不太理想的GPA、实习的劳累、发展方向的迷失、各种考试DDL、疫情封控等等。我甚至在那时候出现了焦虑症症状而被医生建议一定要调整好心态——所以我很早就计划的大三一整年的交换，也是为了给自己一个盼头。我不想再随着大流的标准被内卷着稀里糊涂过完宝贵的大学生活，想出去寻找一下自己的方向。

在结束ESSEC商学院交换项目之际，雪茹在校内与朋友们聚餐话别  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在摩洛哥的街头集市  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. 能否分享自己与故乡之间的故事，这个故事又如何塑造了你对于故乡的印象？(Can you share a story about you and your hometown and how it shaped your impression of your hometown?)

雪茹（中国）：我的故乡浙江长兴散发着一种独特的轻松氛围。与深圳的匆匆忙忙相比，我返乡后能体会到一种慢节奏的生活：一家人到风景区转悠，在家乡商场里与售货员拉家常，在绿道上悠闲地喂喂流浪猫……这一切在我的心中构成了故乡的画面，是我想守护的一方恬淡美好。

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.

摩洛哥的杰玛艾夫纳广场，该广场展现了摩洛哥大众文化传统的精髓 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.

墨西哥城鸟瞰图 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 the impression of my hometown being a safe, comforting, and peaceful place to live.

Maire六岁时和朋友们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 现在/体悟

1. 初到异国时，会因为当地与故乡存在差异而感到不适应吗？又是怎样去克服的呢？( 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（中国）：我刚到法国时，正值疫情，因为出了国就没戴过口罩，我马上就阳了。不太好的健康状况也放大了异国生活的不适应带来的麻烦。在国外的生活远没有国内便捷——我想办电话卡，运营商告诉我电话卡需要绑定一张法国银行卡，于是我就去办银行卡，银行卡又有复杂的文件和程序……我已经数不清跑了多少次办公室，写了多少封邮件了。超市里，很难为我的中式菜谱找到食材；在药店，我也发现很难向药师描述“上火了“这件事。虽然这些差异有时候会让我觉得很苦恼，但它们也让我发现了很多我曾经以为普适的概念，其实是独属于我的故乡的。

学会“逐渐理解差异”是我能适应这种矛盾的良药。比如在丹麦的时候，我很疑惑为什么哥本哈根会有很多卖卡牌游戏和玩具的连锁店，以及为什么工作日的公园有很多晒太阳的人。但在对丹麦了解不断深入后，我就能明白他们的幸福感来源于一种不必艳羡他人的平等的生活状态，于是在丹麦我也爱上了晒太阳。

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. 在异国他乡的时候最想念故乡的什么事物？(What do you miss the most about your hometown when you are in a foreign country?)

雪茹（中国）：最想念故乡的美食和文化。在国外时，如果大家想一起吃顿火锅了，从国内背来火锅底料的朋友此时就仿佛散发着圣光。在柏林洪堡上寒课期间，我第一次在异国度过春节——那天的年夜饭有大陆、香港、韩国的同学。故乡的范围可大可小，从具体的家，到亚洲，或是更大，都可以让不同的人找到共同的归属感。文化把在异乡的同乡人连接在一起，这是一种很强大的力量，也让我感到很温暖。

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. 对于故乡有没有由于距离和国界产生新的认识和理解？(Did you develop a new understanding of your home country due to distance and borders?)

雪茹（中国）：故乡就像一个以我的家庭为圆心向外扩展、半径不断增大的同心圆，我与别人的相似性受彼此故乡范围的重合度影响。当我在不同地方生活、了解更多文化时，我的故乡半径也在不断扩大，我对所见所闻也有了更多包容和理解。当组成我们认知结构的“故乡”变得更加丰富和复杂，它便能兼容不同交流对象和地区的文化共识。

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.

仿佛打翻上帝的调色盘一般绚丽的墨西哥城  Mexico City

4. 随着时间的推移，你对异国的感受和你的心态是怎样发生变化的？你自己的身份认同是否有在这一段经历中也发生着改变呢? (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（中国）：我以前会浅显地认为说好一门语言并在这个国家找到好的工作，我就可以舒适地在那里生活下去。但在国外呆的时间越长，我越能发觉一种源于文化归属的孤独。就像前一问题里我举的故乡半径的例子，我在哪里生活得越久，我就在哪里拥有更深的文化理解，但故乡半径的扩大并不代表文化归属范围的扩大。无论到哪里，我都还是中国人，这个身份认同是无法改变的。

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 未来/身份归属

1. 你对“故乡”和“他乡”这两个名词在这一段到国外求学的经历中是否有产生新的理解呢？两者的概念是否会在某些时候发生交叉互换呢？(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（中国）：我对故乡的理解在不断更新，小时候会说故乡是浙江长兴，到了国外我的故乡就是中国，在欧洲遇到韩国、日本或者越南同学，我们也说是从一个故乡——“亚洲”来的。回国以后，和朋友怀念在丹麦交换的生活时，我们也说那是我们的精神老家，因为我们在一个特别的地方拥有了一段共同的回忆。所以故乡在不同的语境下，成为了我和其他人的最大公约数。他乡与故乡则相对，过去可能是除我出生地以外的所有地方，但现在我更愿意把他乡当作我未曾到达和了解的地方，因此他乡与故乡在不同讨论下可能就会有重叠了。

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. 是否有在异域文化中加深的对于原生文化的更复杂感情和理解？你认为在全球化的大框架下，世界公民这个新的身份是怎样在调整故国与他国之间的界限？个人应该如何让异乡与故乡在认知之中共处呢？(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（中国）：我和一个丹麦好朋友有次就聊到了这个。她叫Lilian，她的父母是从越南移民到丹麦的，她从小在丹麦长大。我参加了她的生日游船party，但我发现她的朋友大部分是越南裔或者亚裔的。我当时问她：“如果这不冒犯的话，我想知道为什么你从小在丹麦长大，但是相比当地白人更喜欢和越南裔朋友相处，是因为丹麦白人的圈子难以融入吗？”

她的回答让我开始思考异域文化和原生文化的关系。因为她在丹麦成长，完全能融入丹麦的文化，但是相比抛弃自己的身份认同变得和传统丹麦白人无异，她更为从家庭中延续而来的越南文化背景而自豪和自洽。在丹麦，她能通过原生文化吸引到喜好相似的人，她和同样有越南背景或者亚洲背景的朋友相处有一种文化的归属感，可以说只有这个文化背景才能聊得起来的话题、开得了的玩笑，可以在饮食偏好上轻松地达成共识。这样一想，其实我能和她关系这么好，也是因为，虽然我们生活环境和成长模式差异巨大，但我们在更深的基因和文化中共享一种天然的认同。

因此我认为，原生文化是根植在种族、血缘和基因上的深层因素，即使代际生活环境有巨大的转移，原生文化的影响也是持续存在的。原生文化是我们拥有文化归属感的前提，而异域文化则是我们融入和理解他人生活方式的关键。与Lilian很好地平衡原生文化与异域文化相反的一个现象是，我在国外也不乏遇到母语羞耻和主动抛弃原生文化的国人，他/她们以完全融入异域文化为目标，实则抛弃了与拥有相同原生文化人们的天然联结，不仅会产生别扭的身份认知，也会体现一种隐隐的自卑，这和电影《绿皮书》在讨论的身份认同问题类似，“If I'm not black enough, and if I'm not white enough, then what am I?”我们探讨文化融合的理想状态首先就应排除种族歧视，因为原生文化与族裔和血缘有不可分割的联系，其与异域文化的界限在于我们对异域文化的接纳是根植于原生文化的，首先是自己的身份认同，再是认同他人的身份。

雪茹与Lilian在丹麦的草坪上享受阳光   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.

栏目编辑：蒲严博 2021级 经管学院 祥波书院

责任编辑：刘璐嘉 2023级 经管学院 厚含书院