SIX Jamaicans who were awarded scholarships by the Chinese Government have arrived in that Far Eastern country and are now completing the registration process at several universities where they will pursue bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees.

The scholarship winners who were presented with their official documents by new Chinese Ambassador Qintdian Zheng, are: Shelly Ann Murphy, Earl Bailey, Raphael Ewin Shirley, Danielle Russell, Rohan Wright and Dahlia Sterling.

Murphy, a graduate of the University of Technology (UTech), is doing a masters in international trade in Beijing and said that without the scholarship she would not have been able to pursue graduate studies.

“While I was studying at UTech, we were taught that before we enter another country, we should research and get as much information as we can in order for us to integrate. I now know that it is just information on paper, because everything is different and I just had to adjust and know that I am in China for a reason,” Murphy said.

“China is a whole new world filled with opportunity and the ability to network… I not only represent myself and my family but my country. I am always filled with a sense of pride to say my name is Shelly Ann Murphy and I am from Jamaica. When they ask, ‘Jamaica?’ I once again refer to my heritage, ‘Bob Marley’ and even ‘Usain Bolt’.

Overwhelmed by the China he has seen, Bailey, who will do his PhD in Land Resource Management, told the Sunday Observer: “I think the Chinese embassy in Jamaica totally unprepared us for the experience. I am beginning to think that that was deliberate and it was an intelligent move on their part.

“The train ride, the food (from dogs and frogs to chicken) is to die for, fruits and vegetables galore and cheap,” added Bailey, who hails from Kingston. He advised new students to “keep an open mind and do not hold any prejudices and biases, and prepare to be blown away by a world that is indeed way different from Jamaica!”

Wright, who did a first degree in international relations & public sector management at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, is pursuing an MSc in public administration in Wuhan City, south of Beijing, and said he found China to be “far beyond anything I had expected”.

“Significant points for me include walking on the streets in Beijing and becoming the subject of camera-phone pictures as my noticeably foreign wardrobe and complexion beckon attention… I have found a few good laughs in trying to communicate with the locals as the language I have come to perfect has been rendered useless. For now, I will resort to sign-language.

“Chinese food is amazing, the flavours and spices they use are explosive. I cannot remember another time when I’ve savoured food before swallowing. My diet has significantly changed since I’ve arrived and I plan to enjoy all the wonderful flavours that Chinese cuisine has to offer,” said Wright, who is from Mandeville, Manchester.

For Sterling of Greater Portmore, St Catherine and who is at the Shandong University, Jinan, “being awarded this scholarship to pursue a masters in international relations is a dream come through”.

“It has always been my dream of pursuing my masters, but based on financial difficulty I was not able to do so. When I heard that I was selected for this scholarship I was speechless. For me this is an opportunity of a lifetime and it is priceless.”

Sterling, a graduate of UWI and the Management Institute for National Development (MIND), said: “For me, China is a culture shock, the language barrier, food, lifestyle overall is completely different. However, I have learned quickly that in order to adjust to this challenging situation, making friends with the Chinese natives as quickly as possible is the only way to adapt.

“Overall I am excited (Xingfen) to be in China and I am looking forward to the experience and I cannot wait to explore and learn more about the Chinese culture,” she said.

Russell, from Vineyard Town, Kingston and a graduate of the Caribbean Institute of Media and Communication (Carimac) at UWI, is doing a masters at the Communication at the University of China (“Zhonguo Chuamei Daxue” in Mandarin) in Chaoyang District in Eastern Beijing.

“As soon as I landed, all my preconceived notions of China and Beijing were debunked. Everywhere, from the airport, to the highways, to the buildings and cafés were exceptionally modern. The people on the streets and in the university, especially the younger generation, were very fashionable and well put together. I had to go out and explore.

“So far I have been to the stores, cafes, markets and supermarkets surrounding the university, as well as the famous Sanlitun Bar Street where I saw the well photographed CCTV building.

“I am looking forward to spending the next four years of my life here, discovering all that Beijing and China has to offer, although it is only September and it already seems as though I should start preparing myself for a very cold winter,” Russell told the Sunday Observer.

Shirley of St Catherine and a past student of Kingston College and EXED, will be pursuing a bachelor’s degree in architecture, after doing Chinese language in Shanghai, China’s second most important city after Beijing.

“Every day here so far has been a new experience and I am really grateful,” said Shirley. The people are so friendly and willing to help. Shanghai is so peaceful and I love the nightlife here. On arrival I was captivated by the unique architectural beauty of the airport,” Shirley said.

— Desmond Allen, allend@jamaicaobserver.com