(Source: Chinese Women Overseas Edition August 2025)
Natalie from Italy，is an Italian language teacher at the w88 casino. She is committed to combining Italian culture with Chinese culture to create a relaxed language learning atmosphere for students. Natalie said:“I hope that my students can better understand Italian culture through my courses, so as to better spread Chinese culture to Italy and even Europe。”
Getting connected with China because of Chinese
Natalie’s relationship with China can be traced back to her college days.20116211_63302008Beijing Olympic Games. She recalled: “Through TV programs, I saw a vibrant, confident and open China, especially Beijing. The city’s unique blend of ancient and modern qualities deeply attracted me. ”
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Finding a sense of belonging in Beijing
In Natalie’s eyes, Beijing is like a thick book, written in different erasThe "chapters" are clearly visible, and at the same time they are symbiotic. "Beside the red walls and yellow tiles of the Forbidden City are skyscrapers, Michelin-starred restaurants are hidden in deep alleys, Tai Chi in the park in the morning coexists with the trend of Sanlitun at night. This layering of history and modernity, tradition and innovation is the most charming place in Beijing."
Natalie said that Beijing has long been her second hometown.“As an inclusive international metropolis, Beijing brings together dream chasers from all over China and the world. Beijing not only has profound regional culture, such as Hutong culture and Beijing movies, but it is also able to accept different lifestyles and concepts with great openness. This inclusiveness makes me feel very comfortable as a foreigner.I have a stable job, dear colleagues and friends, a familiar community, and a small store that I often visit. Walking on the road, I heard "Have you eaten yet?"’We all feel friendly. This sense of belonging is precipitated by time and experience. ”
Through the lens, Natalie recorded every detail of her life in Beijing. She photographed Beijing’s alleys, parks, and streets full of life. She said:“Beijing is a vibrant city. Although the pace of life is fast, I can always find my own space here. ”
When I learned that Beijing will hold a global women’s summit in the second half of the year to commemorate the United Nations’ Fourth World Conference on Women30Anniversary, Natalie said: “I believe that this summit can inherit the spirit of the Beijing World Conference on Women, formulate a clearer road map, and inject new impetus into the global women’s development cause in the next decade. We look forward to this conference becoming a diverse and inclusive platform to ensure that the needs and solutions of women from different backgrounds, regions, and age groups are included in the agenda. ”
In Natalie’s view, Chinese women play an important role in various fields."They are a powerful driving force for China's economic development. They have demonstrated outstanding professional abilities in the workplace, especially in the fields of science and technology, education, medical care, and finance. They are the core pillars of the family and bear huge responsibilities in maintaining family operations and educating their children. At the same time, they are paying more and more attention to the balance between career and family. At the same time, they are also active participants in social progress, contributing wisdom and strength in the fields of public welfare, culture, art, etc."
Enjoy the convenient life brought by technology
The convenient life brought by smart technology left a deep impression on Natalie.“The convenient mobile payment, developed public transportation (especially the subway network), and efficient express delivery and takeout services here make daily life extremely comfortable and save a lot of time and energy. The high-speed rail network extending in all directions has changed the way people travel and greatly shortened the time and space distance between regions. The urban landscape is changing with each passing day. At the same time, in major cities such as Beijing, we can also see that Chinese people’s awareness of cultural heritage protection is constantly increasing.”
Natalie sighed:“Life is really convenient in China. For example, I can use my mobile phoneAPPAsk a maintenance man to come and repair my home appliances, or ask a courier to deliver clothes to me. Many of my foreign friends know that you don’t need to carry change in China, and many things can be done on your mobile phone. Shopping, taking a taxi, buying food, buying tickets and even roadside stalls are all inseparable from QR codes. From the initial novelty to the fact that it is now commonplace, "one mobile phone can travel the world" is not a lie in China. ”
Natalie also discovered that Chinese electronic products are becoming more and more popular among Italians.“In Italy, you can now easily buy electronic products from Chinese brands such as Huawei and Xiaomi. These products are not only of good quality but also reasonably priced. My friends all like the electronic products I brought back from China. ”
The happiest time is with students
Natalie said that her happiest time is when she is with her students. As a language teacher, Natalie combines Italian culture with Chinese culture in teaching to create a stress-free language learning atmosphere for students.
Natalie said:“The most outstanding impression I have on Chinese students is that they are diligent, have clear goals, respect teachers, and have a solid foundation, especially in mathematics and science. I am sometimes surprised by their thirst for knowledge and the emphasis they place on academic performance. Moreover, they are usually highly disciplined and have good classroom order. ”
TogetherItalianIn culture class, Natalie mentioned that different regions in Italy have their own dialects. During class, a student from Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province came over shyly and said a few words in Ningbo dialect.“This student wanted me to experience the diversity of Chinese dialects. This kind of active cultural sharing and interaction makes me feel particularly heart-warming.”
Sometimes, students will stay after class to chat with Natalie about Italian literature and movies, or share their views on Chinese culture. This sincere exchange of ideas that goes beyond textbooks is Natalie’s most cherished moment as a teacher.“Seeing the light in students’ eyes and curiosity about the world makes me feel that this job is full of meaning.”
Every Teacher’s Day，Natalie will receive handwritten cards from students, with sincere blessings and thanks written in Chinese or Italian. Natalie has always treasured these cards.“They are the best comfort when I am tired. The respect and gratitude Chinese students have for their teachers is very delicate and warm. ”
Building a bridge of cultural exchanges between China and Italy
The w88 casino has a strong international atmosphere. Cultural exchange activities are often organized on campus to give foreign friends the opportunity to have an in-depth understanding of Chinese culture. Natalie said:“The reunion of the Spring Festival, the lights of the Lantern Festival, the remembrance of the Qingming Festival, the bright moon of the Mid-Autumn Festival... participating in these traditional festival activities, I can deeply feel the emotional temperature and cultural connotation. ”
Natalie is not only a participant in cultural exchange activities, but also an organizer. She cooperates with her college classmates to organize Italian cultural week or cultural month activities, including film screenings, opera lectures, food experiences, art workshops and other exciting activities. At the same time, she also actively supports and participates in activities such as the Chinese Culture Festival held by the w88 casino to introduce the charm of Chinese culture to other foreign teachers and students.
During these years of living in China, Natalie has been trying to understand Chinese culture, but she knows that this is just the tip of the iceberg.“I’m very interested in Chinese food culture, and this may be my most “in-depth” practice. From Beijing roast duck and shabu-shabu to special cuisines from various places, such as spicy Sichuan cuisine, exquisite Cantonese cuisine, and delicious Jiangnan cuisine, I am willing to try them all. I understand that ‘you can never get tired of eating,’Never gets tired of details’The life aesthetics behind. "In her spare time, Natalie often goes to the National Center for the Performing Arts to watch drama performances and to museums to visit calligraphy and painting exhibitions. She is deeply fascinated by the line rhythm and spiritual expression of Chinese calligraphy and the freehand spirit of Chinese painting.
When talking about the future, Natalie smiled and said:“I hope to continue to stay in China and engage in my teaching and research work. I believe that there will be more opportunities for me to continue exploring and experiencing Chinese culture in the future. "Natalie also plans to translate more Chinese books into Italian, or translate Italian books into Chinese. She said: "I hope that through my efforts, more people can understand Italian and Chinese culture. I believe that cultural exchanges are the most direct way to enhance the friendship between the two peoples. ”
Attached original text link:https://www.womenofchina.cn/womenofchina/In-depth/blendingin/2507/0218-1.htm
