As I sit comfortably on my bed writing this blog at home in Shanghai, I
feel content for a few seconds until a wave of confusion hits me. Now,
as a Malaysian who has studied in China for the past 14 years, I
suddenly struggle to know why or what I meant by writing ‘home.’
International school Shanghai
Reflecting on the 14 years I have been at YCIS, one of the most
significant benefits of being an international school student is perhaps
the opportunity to meet lifelong friends from all over the world. We
meet students from across a spectrum of countries, such as Australia,
the UK, Philippines, and Brazil, exposing us to a wide variety of
cultures. Every day, we spend an average of eight hours together in
school. Thereby, from strangers we make friends, from friends, people
become best friends, and for the lucky ones, into lifelong friends.
Though a part of this experience comprises friends arriving and
departing, we make the most of the current situation by unknowingly
enmeshing these friendships and Shanghai into part of what we deem as
‘home.’
While we may not realise it day-to-day, our small but frequent
interactions with our friends are valuable learning experiences that
provide us with new lenses and outlooks about our world. Whether this
happens at school or outside of school, we are continuously
acclimatising ourselves to different perspectives, expanding our
understanding of cultural differences. Often, we overlook all of these
facets, when in fact, they really are a blessing.
As a Malaysian who has lived in Shanghai for a majority of her life,
I’d say that being an international student has taught me so many
things I will never forget. Throughout the years, I have realised that
home has indeed become a paradox, and ultimately, it is up to us to
decide what home is. For me, I certainly haven’t forgotten about home in
Malaysia, but I also call Shanghai my second home: I’ve been here since
the age of 4, and I have laughed, cried, and more here – the list can
go on forever. After all, like the proverb says, home is where the heart
is.
The Wall