Originally from Las Vegas, Nevada in the USA, seasoned educator Davina Brown shares her unique story on living in China and why she likes it here!
来自美国内华达州拉斯维加斯的资深教育工作者 Davina Brown 分享了她在中国生活的独特故事，以及喜欢中国的原因！

个人简介：
Name : Davina Brown
姓名：Davina Brown
Country of Origin : United States of America
国籍：美国
Occupation : Certified & Licensed Educator
职业：经认证的教育工作者
Years in China : 4.5 years
在华居住时间：4 年 6 个月

How did your journey in China begin?
你的中国之旅是怎样开始的?

My journey began in China when I made the choice to live abroad. Honestly, I was trying to take my teaching experience to the Middle East, but nothing came through. China chose me! I know that may sound silly, but my contacts and interviews were in China. It really never crossed my mind that I’d eventually be living and working here fulltime and enjoying it! Xiamen was my final decision. Interviewing for the school I’m at now, Xiamen International School, they made Xiamen and China sound like a beautiful place. They didn’t lie. Xiamen is the only place I’ve lived in China, but I’ve had the opportunity to travel China and the experiences I’ve endured have been phenomenal! Though my journey has started, I’m a long way off from it being done.
在我决定去国外生活之后，我就开始了我的中国之旅。老实说，我原本打算到中东教学，但是没能实现。后来是中国选择了我！也许这听起来很傻——我的联系人和面试地点都在中国。我从来没有想过最终会在这个国家生活和工作，并且还乐得其所。我最后的选择是厦门。我来到厦门国际学校（也就是我现在工作的学校）面试，面试官介绍中国和厦门是一个美丽的地方，事实证明他们没有说谎。厦门虽然是我在中国唯一居住的城市，但我曾去中国其他地方旅行过，这些旅行经历令人难以忘怀！我的中国之旅虽已开始，但前方的路还很长。

What do you like most about your city and China as a whole?
你所在的城市，哪一点最吸引你？你最喜欢中国的什么呢？

What I like most about Xiamen is its easy-going spirit. The city is live! Xiamen has the beaches, the restaurants, clubs, arts, and entertainment. I like how it has things to offer but it isn’t busy. I come from a city that is nonstop, so Xiamen is nice for me.
我最喜欢厦门的自在精神。这个城市充满生机！厦门有众多海滩、餐馆、俱乐部、艺术和娱乐设施。我喜欢厦门呈现的样子，多而不杂。我来自一个不停歇的城市，所以厦门很适合我。
China as a whole has something to offer for all seasons. Up north, in the winter, you can ski and go to ice festivals; the west, in the summer, you can experience sand dunes; in the east, in the fall, you can enjoy time with family and fresh harvests; and in the south in spring, you can enjoy the lush beaches and tropical weather. China has much to offer year around and the lush history makes living here grand.
在中国，四季各有其迷人之处。在中国北部，你可以在冬天滑雪和参加冰雪节；在中国西部，你可以在夏天体验沙丘；在中国东部，你可以在秋天享受团圆和丰收；在中国南部，你可以在春天享受景色葱郁的海滩和温泉的热带气候。中国的四季分明，而悠久的历史让这里的生活变得壮丽。

What fascinated you the most about living in China?
生活在中国，最吸引你的是什么?

The most fascinating thing about living here in China is its history. My first year here, I made it my mission to visit the hot spots for its history. Some of those spots, were Beijing. Beijing has the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, the Palace and much more. Another place I visited and met The Founder was Xi’an. It’s known for the Terra Cotta Soldiers. Lastly, I visited Shanghai. Shanghai is a big city that is well-known to many tourists. It is also known for its cultural heritage and historical concessions. These are just a few to name that I had on my ‘must-go-see’ list. Since then, I’ve visited more historical cities in China, and I plan to continue to do so in the coming years.
最吸引我的是中国的历史。来到中国第一年，我便计划旅游中国历史底蕴浓厚的热门城市。比如北京，北京有长城、天安门广场、故宫等热门景点。我去的另一个城市是西安，西安以兵马俑而闻名。最后，我去了上海，这是一座为游客所熟知的大都市，也以其文化遗产和历史租界而闻名。然而，这些地方只是我“必看”名单上的一部分，从那之后，我又参观了更多的历史名城，并且在未来几年，旅程还将继续。

Finally, what is your unique China story? Tell us something that you experienced that made you love living here even more.
最后，关于你独特的中国故事是什么呢?讲述一些让你更想待在中国的经历。

I truly enjoy living in China. The people in my city, Xiamen, has made my experience worthwhile. From my local seamstress lady and her family to my colleagues and friends I’ve made over the years, everyone has contributed to my life experience here in China. People have been genuinely kind to me and that speaks volumes for me! Kindness is not dead here. It’s always good vibes and I love that! This is why I continue to live here. Thank you, China, for your generosity.
我真的很喜欢待在中国。厦门人民让我的生活变得更有价值。不管是当地的女裁缝和她的家人，还是我多年结交的同事和朋友，他们每个人都为我的生活赋予了光彩。大家都十分友好，这一点对我来说很重要。这里的人都很善良，而且我十分喜欢这种氛围，这也是我选择继续住在中国的原因。谢谢中国，谢谢你的包容。

A fun fact about her hometown!
关于她家乡的有趣知识！

Las Vegas actually has communities, churches, and school. It is not only the Strip or what you see on TV.
事实上，拉斯维加斯还有社区、教堂和学校，不仅仅是拉斯维加斯大道或者电视上展现的样子。

作者：Davina 翻译：邓忠悦

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