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When Brian Kariuki stepped off the plane in Beijing in 2017, he expected culture shock. What the Kenyan engineering student discovered instead was a vibrant tapestry of unexpected connections between East Africa and East Asia .
\"The first time I saw Chinese elders practicing tai chi in the park, it reminded me of Kenya's sunset yoga traditions,\" Kariuki tells us. \"It’s that beautiful balance between heritage and modernity we both cherish.\"
From navigating Beijing's hutong alleyways to studying Mandarin tones that echo the musicality of Swahili, the 25-year-old shares how climate differences became his biggest adjustment: \"Winter’s -10°C was a plot twist! But Chinese thermal fashion? Game-changer.\"
Three cultural parallels that surprised him most:
Tea ceremonies bridging social connections
Family-first values shaping daily life
Storytelling through traditional music
Now pursuing a master’s in sustainable energy, Kariuki dreams of \"bridging green tech innovations between China and Africa.\" His advice? \"Travel beyond the Great Wall selfies – discover how China’s tech boom and tea shops coexist.\"
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to studying Mandarin tones that echo the musicality of Swahili, the 25-year-old shares how climate differences became his biggest adjustment: \"Winter’s -10°C was a plot twist! But Chinese thermal fashion? Game-changer.\"
Tea ceremonies bridging social connections
Family-first values shaping daily life
Storytelling through traditional music
