It has been only one month since I arrived at Zhongshan Torch Polytechnic, but Guangdong has already given me something I never anticipated: a second family.
I came to China with a mixture of excitement and apprehension. Like any new student, I wondered whether I would fit in, make real friends and find my place. Yet from my first day, I was met with a warmth I had never known. The faculty treated me not as a foreigner but as family. However, nothing could have prepared me for the transformative journey from August 8 to 13—and the early morning of August 14, when we returned to campus, still buzzing with everything we had shared.
During that week, I joined a school team traveling to another city for a rural revitalization project. Only two of us were international students. I felt anxious at first, worried about feeling isolated and about the language barrier. However, my worries melted away from the very first moment.
Our teacher was remarkable. Each morning, she personally made sure we had breakfast, checking on us with a mother's care. She did not treat us merely as students; she treated us as family. So far from home, I found in her kindness a reminder that compassion knows no borders.
The most beautiful surprise came from my Chinese classmates. Though we had never met, they embraced me like a brother. We shared meals, laughter and countless photos. Sometimes I would step aside and quietly watch them, thinking, "They are so beautiful—not only in appearance, but in spirit." I had never met people so genuinely warm.
Throughout that week, I never felt lonely or excluded. My classmates made sure I understood every activity, translated when needed and always included me. It felt as if we had known each other for years.
The Agarwood Experience
One of my main tasks was taking part in a livestream to help a local farmer sell agarwood products—bracelets, necklaces and other items made from Chenxiang (沉香), meaning "sinking fragrance."
I discovered that agarwood is no ordinary wood. It forms when an Aquilaria tree becomes infected with mold, which then produces a dark, resinous heartwood that takes many years to develop. The older the resin, the greater its value—some pieces are worth more than gold. I also learned that agarwood has been used for centuries in Chinese medicine and meditation, and burned as incense for emperors.
What fascinated me most was the philosophy behind it. The tree does not produce this treasure easily; it creates it through struggle. In that sense, agarwood teaches that beauty and value often emerge from hardship. A Chinese proverb that moved me says: "Agarwood is the tears of a wounded tree, yet it becomes the most precious fragrance in the world." Another saying stayed with me: "Its fragrance is not loud, but quiet—emerging after years of quiet precipitation."
These words reminded me of my own journey. Coming to China has not always been easy. There were moments of loneliness and vulnerability—when I felt like a wounded tree far from home. Yet like agarwood, I am learning to turn those challenges into something valuable: resilience and gratitude.
The livestream itself was quite an adventure. It was my first time on a live broadcast, and I was nervous to begin with. My Chinese was limited. But my teammates kept encouraging me—they stood by me, smiled and helped build my confidence. After the first session, my nerves faded. By the second, I was speaking more freely and even cracking jokes. I learned to describe the texture, color and fragrance of agarwood products in Chinese—an eye-opening experience.
A Friendship Like Agarwood
Beyond what I learned, I will always treasure the camaraderie we shared. We were not just classmates; we were collaborators, companions and family.
One teammate, a Chinese girl, was exceptionally kind. She helped me with my pronunciation, laughed warmly at my mistakes and encouraged me throughout the livestreams. After the trip, we kept in touch. She sent me a voice message that touched my heart: "Martin, when I opened your voice message, it felt like you were right in front of me. It's magical that five days could create such a strong bond."
Her words confirmed that our connection was mutual. A few days later, I invited her to dinner, and she gladly accepted. We spent the evening sharing stories and laughter. Though I am African and she is Chinese, that evening we were simply two friends—no barriers, only warmth.
That dinner showed me that friendship, like agarwood, deepens with time, patience and shared experience.
My Guangdong Story
Looking back, I realize that one week gave me more than memories—it gave me a new perspective. I came to study, but I have gained something more valuable: friendships I will carry forever.
To my teacher, who cared like a mother, I am grateful.
To my classmates, who welcomed me as a brother, I offer my deepest thanks.
To my friend, who showed that kindness has no boundaries, I am forever thankful.
Guangdong is not just a place on a map. It is where I found warmth, acceptance and love. It is where I learned that no matter where we come from, we can always find a home in the hearts of others.
Agarwood taught me that wounds can become treasures. My Chinese friends taught me that distance, language and culture are never true barriers to friendship. Just as the fragrance of agarwood lingers long after it has burned, the kindness I received in Guangdong will stay with me forever.
This is my Guangdong story, and I will never forget it.
The author is Martin, a student at Zhongshan Torch Polytechnic.
Photos provided to South by the author
