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This is China

Coming from China to the Netherlands to study for a PhD one soon notices the many differences between the two countries. Especially since doing a PhD is at least a four-year programme, the student doing it will be away from home for quite a few years.

Everyone deals with changes in life differently and brings different objects with them from home. The owner of this object decided to bring a book. She is fond of nature and likes to go outside in the Netherlands. However, even though new things may provide distraction, every now and then you will think of your country of origin.

At these moments, this book comes in handy. The book, called “Hi I'm China,” shows different parts of the nation through pictures and text. It is the first book that shows the entirety of China’s geography in popular science.https://book.douban.com/subject/34835320/ A nation as large as the whole of Europe and roughly the same size as the United States is, of course, very diverse. During the interview, the owner of the book brought it out and showed us many beautiful aspects of the Chinese landscape.

“I like reading books. Being abroad I will think of China every now and then. You can just grab this book, read a bit in your mother tongue, and think of your home country.”

A quick skim through the pages and a look at China's famous mountain ranges and diverse vegetation enables you to dive back and get a glimpse of China. That must feel soothing for someone far away from home. This was exactly what a friend of hers thought when gifting her this book before she left for the Netherlands.

Leiden also has a nice botanical garden with vegetation from China. Moreover, in numerous places in the Netherlands there are gardens with Chinese plants and even sometimes Chinese architecture. The glorious mountain ranges are something that the Netherlands has yet to imitate, let alone the climate.

I am not sure what I will miss the most about the Netherlands - definitely not the weather - but perhaps you know what you will miss when you are abroad for an extended period of time.