Where is your country and what is the official language?
I am from Beijing China. I speak Chinese and Mandarin. There are about 40-50 languages in China.
What is a traditional food from your country?
Almost every provenience, every area of China has different food, and also different Chinese festivals have a very specific traditional food, for example in middle Autumn we have a Moon Festival and we have a Moon Cake For Spring Festival, the Chinese New Year we have rice dumplings. So, yes, I would say dumplings. And if you go to Beijing most people know Beijing duck, and that would be our traditional food.
What was the biggest culture shock you’ve experienced at Kalani?
I wouldn’t say shock because I’ve been to the states before, but in Hawaii people are so friendly. When I go out and I don’t know anyone they just wave and say ‘hello’. That is kind of shock, because in China we have so many people so if you want to wave or say ‘hi’ to everybody it would be too much effort. If we don’t know anybody we don’t say hello or smile.
What do you like most about your culture?
I think, I like our food the most. And another thing is the habit of taking naps. Everybody has to take a nap.
How do you say ‘hello’ and ‘I love you’ in Chinese?
Ni hao (knee how) – hello, Wo ai ni (whoa eye knee) – ‘I love you’
What is the national dance?
Ni yangge, dance from rural part of China celebrating rice planting. There are red ribbons tied to the hand and to the side of the body
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