Shi Meisi in Fuzhou, capital of Fujian province. [Photo provided to gofujian.com]

For Shi Meisi, East China's Fujian has always been a place that felt both familiar and unknown. It was the "hometown" her grandparents spoke of with nostalgia and the "paradise" in a summer camp for her cousin. But it wasn't until she set foot on this land herself that the vague picture she held in her mind's eye finally came into focus.

A "hometown" unseen before

Before coming to Fujian, Shi's impression of it was like a collage — beautiful mountains and rivers, lively markets and people with soft accents. It's not too different from the Philippines, she thought. But once she arrived, she realized how different and unique Fujian truly is.

She was struck by the convenience of daily life and, more importantly, by the warmth and kindness of its people. The shopkeeper greeted everyone in local Minnan dialect and introduced local culture to the students with enthusiasm. In Xiamen, a vendor handed out spoons for a free try of local delicacies. This sincerity made her feel like she belonged there.

"Old Friends" in culture

During the Dragon Boat Festival, the scent of bamboo leaves filled the air at Jimei University. Shi was reminded of her family. Though raised in the Philippines, Shi's family preserved many of their Chinese traditions. Every year, her grandparents would bring home fragrant rice dumplings and the whole family would gather to celebrate. "All the little customs I grew up with are part of daily life here in Fujian," she said.

Walking down the streets of Fujian, Shi often paused to listen to the localchat in Minnan dialect. "Hearing people speak the dialect made me feel instantly connected, as if the distance between me and my roots disappeared," she said.

Finding beauty in ordinary days

To Shi Meisi, the most meaningful moments of the summer camp weren't the high-tech experiences or the vibrant night markets and scenic views. What stayed with her were the quiet daily moments: Walking to class each morning, laughing with friends before lessons and even struggling to learn Chinese characters.

Back in the Philippines, it's these moments she misses most. The breeze on her face in the evening, the golden hue of the sky — simple joys that brought unexpected peace. More than a summer camp, the trip gave her a glimpse into a life she could love.

From "heard about" to "longing for"

Shi has always loved Chinese variety shows and dramas. Through the screen, she learned about Chinese culture and people's lives here. But those experiences always felt distant — until now. Drinking tea and chatting with local friends, learning how to write New Year couplets, tasting local snacks, or watching people bargain at the market… These vivid, lively experiences transformed her abstract imagination of "hometown" into something warm and real.

Before leaving Fujian, Shi Meisi and friends met a Malaysian man in the park who had made China his home. He chatted with them about life in China and even sang a Minnan song, Strive to Succeed.

She wanted to bring oyster omelette back to the Philippines to share with her family and friends — and with it, all the joy she experienced in Fujian. "This trip felt like a magical dream," she said. "And I'll always keep it in my heart".

Shi  (left 3) experiences the traditional tea-making skills. [Photo provided to gofujian.com]