Last December, by Guangdong Overseas Chinese Affairs' Office(OCAO)'s invitation, the Sinchew Newspaper in Malaysia organised 15 young overseas Chinese   to visit Guangdong Province . It's the first time for the Overseas Chinese Affairs of Guangdong Province to organise winter camp through an overseas Chinese newspaper. The purpose of this camp was to let young overseas Chinese learn more about Chinese culture and the development  of Guangdong Province.

It was the first time for most of group to come to China. They were so glad they had such a good chance to visit their homeland. During the 12-day stay in Guangdong,   they studied Cantonese culture, Hakka and Chiuchew culture. The important thing for them was to know about life of Chinese. They were surprised at what they had seen and heard. Even though they can all speak mandarin, sometimes they could not find a word to express themselves.

The trip was very interesting because of the campers. They found China such a
beautiful country which makes them interested in. The campers visited the Chinese Custom Village in Shenzhen where there are houses of the architectural style of 55 minorities in China. By talking to people and watching the traditional  performances, the campers could understand the history and the custom of the minorities.

It was their first time to China, so they all felt fresh and always wanted to try sth. New. One night in Jiangmen, part of them went out to search for McDonalds. Others told me that they were too hungry to go. Auctually, it was not allowed to sell hamburger with pork in Malaysia, so they had no chance to eat pork humburger which explains why they wanted to try. The campers tried to find the difference between meat hamburger and other hamburger, then started to eat. They ate so slowly that no one knew when they would finished. After a long while, they announced that it was the best hamburger they had ever eaten.

In Chaozhou city, After the tour guide showed the campers how to make a cup of gongfu tea, one of the members said "It takes so much time , but it tastes so good. The show was wonderful. I really enjoyed it. Maybe I would do it after I retire." They felt that they got to know chiochew custom as part of Chinese culture.

The winter camp was so successful. All of the 15 young overseas Chinese enjoyed the trip and hoped to come again. One thing they regretted was that they had no chance to visit Chinese family, and had little time to communicate with Chinese young people. Before they left Guangzhou, each of them said "I am so proud that I am Chinese".

Editor: Dawn                                                                       By: Xueting, Source: OCAO