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Martine and China: A Love Story Written in Steps

Martine and China: A Love Story Written in Steps

An Eight-Year-Old’s First Hello to China

Looking back, I think my love for Asian culture started long before I even understood what it meant to be interested in another culture. I was only eight years old when I first found myself fascinated by China and Korea. At that age, I didn’t know much about either country, and I simply knew that there was something about their languages, music, dramas, traditions, and way of life that kept drawing me in.

As I grew older, that curiosity never really left me. I went from being a little girl listening to Chinese and Korean songs to a teenager staying up to watch dramas and cultural programs to an adult who still finds herself getting excited whenever she discovers something new about these cultures.

For me, it was never just about entertainment. Somewhere along the way, these things became a small world of my own: a place where I could feel comfortable, curious, and at peace.

I’ve always been more of an introvert. Making friends, starting conversations, and interacting with people has never come naturally to me. I tried, of course, and I’ve been lucky enough to have some wonderful people in my life, but there were still moments when I felt more comfortable in my own little world.

Whenever I needed that feeling of comfort, I knew where to go: I would put on a Korean drama, listen to a Chinese song, watch a cultural program, or simply spend time discovering something new about China or Korea. There was something incredibly comforting about it. The languages sounded beautiful to me, the stories pulled me in, and the cultures felt so rich and fascinating that I could spend hours exploring them without ever getting bored.

When Curiosity Decides to Stay

Consequently, what started as simple childhood curiosity slowly became something much deeper. These cultures became a part of my life, and eventually, they would influence some of the biggest choices I made along the way.

Picking Chinese (And It Picked Me Back)

When it was time to choose my major for university, I already had a pretty good idea of what I wanted to pursue. I was interested in translation, and naturally, I wanted to combine it with the language that had fascinated me for years: Chinese. At the time, I also had another thought in mind. Chinese was still relatively uncommon to study in Lebanon, and I believed that knowing the language could open interesting opportunities for me in the future, especially in the world of business and international communication. It felt like a practical choice, but at the same time, it was something I genuinely enjoyed.

Eventually, I was accepted into the Lebanese University as a student in the Applied Living Languages – Chinese Language major. And that’s where the adventure started.

What had started years earlier as a simple childhood fascination suddenly became a real part of my life. I went from watching Chinese dramas and listening to Chinese music for fun to sitting in a classroom, learning Chinese characters, struggling with tones and grammar, and slowly discovering a completely different side of the language and culture, and even becoming a teacher for this language.

I didn’t know it at the time, but choosing that major would be the beginning of a much bigger journey: one that would take me far beyond simply learning a language. It would introduce me to China, its people, and its culture and actually lead me to experiences I could never have imagined when I was eight years old.

Textbook, Beach, and Everything In Between

At first, I was completely fascinated by Chinese. I was so excited to attend my classes, learn new words and sentences, and then repeat everything I had learned around the house. I would even stand in front of the mirror and talk to myself, trying to improve my pronunciation and speaking skills. I wanted to get better, and I was enjoying every little part of the process.

Moreover, I was so excited that my Chinese textbook practically became my constant companion. I took it everywhere with me and studied whenever I had the chance; in cafés, in restaurants while I was out with friends, and even at the mall with one of my classmates, who was also learning Chinese. I even took my Chinese book to the beach! Looking back, it probably sounds a little funny, but that was genuinely how excited I was. I was completely immersed in the language, and all that enthusiasm paid off. In less than a year, I had already reached a level of Chinese that I was really proud of.

Tibetan Plateau and a First-Place Heart

Then came our first Chinese culture-related event, and I remember being so happy and curious about everything. I wanted to try every single dish on the table, even the spiciest ones! It was my first real opportunity to experience Chinese culture beyond the classroom, and I absolutely loved it.

From there, I started participating in many cultural events organized by the Chinese Embassy in Lebanon and UNIFIL. I also took part in different Chinese-language competitions, which became some of my favorite memories from university.

One of the experiences I remember most clearly was a Chinese singing competition in 2019. I sang a song called Tibetan Plateau, and it turned out to be one of the most memorable experiences of that time. The teacher made me challenge myself with this song; at that time I was still in my first year in the major, and my Spoken Chinese was not as good, and to be so honest, it was scary for me, but I did it with her support and help. I was incredibly happy and proud when I won first place among the participating students in Lebanon.

Later, I participated in the Chinese Bridge competition, an important Chinese-language and cultural competition for students, where I won second place the first time I participated and third place the second time. I also took part in several Chinese speech competitions and many other cultural events. We sang, danced, performed, and celebrated alongside Chinese people and Chinese peacekeeping soldiers serving in southern Lebanon.

The Dream That Took Her to China

Looking back, those were some of the happiest days of my university life. I was younger, full of energy, and probably more excited about Chinese than I had ever been. Every new competition, event, song, and conversation made me want to learn more.

And somewhere along the way, another dream started to grow: I wanted to see China for myself.

I had spent years learning about the country through my classes, books, music, dramas, and cultural events. I wanted to know what it would feel like to actually walk through its streets, hear Chinese being spoken all around me, experience its culture firsthand, and see whether the China I had imagined was as beautiful as I had always believed it was.

That dream finally became a reality in 2023.

Finally Stepping Into the Picture

After years of studying Chinese and participating in different activities, I was fortunate enough to receive a scholarship to come to China as an exchange language student for one year. Stepping into China for the first time was an incredibly special moment for me. After spending so many years learning about this country from afar, I was finally there.

And that year became one of the most unforgettable chapters of my life; a year filled with new experiences, challenges, discoveries, and moments that would change the way I saw both China and myself.

When I first arrived in China, everything felt almost unreal. Even the simplest parts of everyday life on campus felt special to me. I genuinely enjoyed waking up, going to class, walking around campus, and simply being surrounded by Chinese language and culture every day.

There were so many cultural events throughout the year, and through them, I met some wonderful people who eventually became an important part of my China journey. Some of the friendships I made during that year have stayed with me until today.

I also had the opportunity to become an MC for several big events on campus. Standing on a stage and speaking in Chinese in front of an audience was something I never would have imagined myself doing years earlier. For someone who had always been quite introverted, these experiences pushed me out of my comfort zone and gave me a confidence I didn’t know I had.

The teachers also played a huge role in making my experience so meaningful. They were always patient and supportive, not only when it came to improving my Chinese, but also whenever I had endless questions about Chinese culture, traditions, daily life, or simply things I found interesting and wanted to understand better. They encouraged me in almost everything I did and made me feel that my curiosity was something worth holding on to.

One of my teachers even encouraged me to consider becoming a writer of Chinese novels one day. She told me that she liked my Chinese writing and believed I had the potential to write creatively in Chinese. I still think about what she told me, and maybe one day, I really will take her advice.

My first journey in China was beautiful, but it wasn’t perfect, and I think that’s what made it so meaningful. I laughed a lot, cried a lot, got confused, learned new things, and met people who taught me lessons I never expected to learn. Some days were easy, while others were challenging. But every experience, good or bad, became part of me.

I can honestly say that I learned so much during that year, not only about Chinese language and culture, but also about life, independence, friendship, and myself.

Hangzhou Station: Cue the Tears

I was also lucky enough to have a wonderful roommate who became my companion throughout much of that journey. We spent so much time together, traveled to different cities, tried new foods, experienced everyday Chinese life, and discovered different sides of the culture together. Having someone beside me to share all those little moments with made the experience even more special.

But out of all the places I visited, one city held a special place in my heart: Hangzhou.

Hangzhou had been my dream city for as long as I could remember. I had seen it in pictures, heard stories about it, and imagined what it would feel like to be there. But nothing could have prepared me for the moment when I finally arrived.

In January 2024, after years of dreaming about it, I was sitting on a train heading to Hangzhou. I remember looking out of the window, feeling a mixture of excitement and disbelief. Then I saw the words announcing that we had arrived at Hangzhou station.

For a moment, I couldn’t believe it.

I remember thinking:

“Wow, girl… you actually did it. You’re really in Hangzhou.”

And in that moment, I couldn’t help but think about the eight-year-old version of myself, the little girl who had fallen in love with Chinese culture without ever imagining where that curiosity would take her. She would have been the happiest girl in the world.

Leaving China, But Already Plotting a Return

Eventually, that first year in China came to an end, and it was time for me to go back to Lebanon.

Leaving was much harder than I had imagined. I cried so much on my way home, knowing that I was leaving behind a place that had become so familiar and so special to me. China had started as a dream when I was a child, then became a university major, and eventually became a place where I had made memories, friendships, and a life of my own.

And even though I was going back home, a part of me was already thinking about how I could return. I especially couldn’t stop thinking about Shenyang and the idea of living in China again, not just visiting for a year, but actually continuing my studies there and building a new chapter of my life.

So I decided to apply for another scholarship, this time to pursue a master’s degree in International Chinese Language Education. The following year was not easy. There were applications, preparations, uncertainty, and a lot of hard work. I also had to save money to make the trip possible.

But I kept going.

Second Time, Less Shaky Hands

After almost a year of waiting, applying, preparing, and working toward it, I finally received the scholarship. And just like that, I was coming back to China.

This time, though, everything felt different. When I arrived, I wasn’t the same girl who had first stepped into China a year earlier, unsure of where to go, how things worked, or whether she would be able to manage everything on her own. I already knew what it felt like to live here. I knew how to navigate daily life, communicate with people, use public transportation, find my way around, and deal with the little challenges that once seemed so intimidating. China no longer felt completely foreign to me. It felt more familiar and like home.

Of course, there were still new challenges waiting for me, but this time I arrived with something I didn’t have before: experience. I knew that I could handle being away from home, adapt to a different environment, and find my way even when things didn’t go according to plan. The first time I came to China, I was discovering the country. The second time, I was coming back to continue a journey that had already become a part of who I was.

Leading, Teaching, and Finding My Rhythm

Since coming back to China for my master’s degree, I have had the chance to continue doing many of the things that had made my first experience here so special. I became an MC for events again, participated in cultural activities, and had the opportunity to represent my university in different events and fields. One of the experiences I am particularly proud of was becoming the vice president of the International Student Association at Shenyang Normal University. It gave me the opportunity to meet even more international students, take part in university life in a different way, and learn from people from so many different backgrounds.

But there is another part of my journey with Chinese that is especially close to my heart: teaching.

After graduating from the Chinese Language major at Lebanese University in 2021, I started tutoring Chinese to foreign students from different backgrounds remotely and freelance. Most of my students have been French-, Arabic-, and English-speaking learners. Over the years, my experience as a Chinese tutor continued to grow. I began experimenting with different ways of explaining the language, finding simpler ways to make difficult concepts understandable, and creating lessons that were more interactive and enjoyable.

I didn’t want my students to feel that learning Chinese was simply about memorizing vocabulary, repeating sentences, and studying grammar rules. I wanted them to actually enjoy the journey.

Still Curious, Still Here, Still Learning

And in 2024, I decided to give my teaching program a name: Speak ChinEasy. The name reflects something I have always wanted my students to feel: that Chinese doesn’t have to be as intimidating as it sometimes seems. With the right approach, patience, and a little creativity, it can become something exciting and even fun.

Through teaching, I also realized something about myself. I didn’t just want to learn Chinese; I wanted to share the love I had developed for the language, the culture, and the country with other people. I wanted my students to experience at least a little of the same excitement I felt when I first started learning Chinese as a university student. And I think that is one of the biggest reasons I chose to continue my education with a master’s degree in International Chinese Language Education.

I came into this program with a genuinely excited heart, hoping to become a better teacher, not only by improving my knowledge of Chinese, but also by learning more about how people from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds learn languages. I want to continue developing my teaching methods and, hopefully, help more people discover that learning Chinese can be a beautiful journey rather than something they simply have to memorize for an exam.

Today, I am still in China, continuing my master’s degree and enjoying every opportunity I get to learn more. I try to participate in as many activities as possible, meet people from different backgrounds, experience different aspects of Chinese culture, and keep discovering the country that first captured my curiosity when I was just eight years old.

Sometimes I look back and think about how unexpected this journey has been. A little girl who was fascinated by Chinese songs and dramas could never have imagined that one day she would study Chinese at university, compete in Chinese-language competitions, stand on stages speaking Chinese, teach the language to students from around the world, become a student leader, and eventually pursue a master’s degree in China itself. And yet, here I am, still learning, still teaching, still curious, and still falling in love with Chinese, one experience at a time.

Editor’s Note

I first came across Martine’s through Instagram, and from the very first message she sent me, I knew there was something special about her. What I quickly discovered, and what we bonded over right away, was our shared love for books, music, and Asia.

Her passion for Chinese culture isn’t just something she picked up along the way; it’s truly part of who she is. You can feel it in every word she writes, in every word she speaks. She’s smart, determined, and absolutely adorable in the way she pours her whole heart into everything she loves. I still smile thinking about her carrying her Chinese textbook to the beach or practicing Chinese in front of the mirror. That’s Martine, all heart, all curiosity.

Through our conversations, I’ve watched her grow and chase her dreams with so much courage. And honestly? I couldn’t be more proud of her.

Enjoy her story. It’s one worth reading.