This is the 936th real person we tell
I am Wang Xiaoyu
(now me)
1978, I was born in a military family and I have an older brother in my family. Both parents are senior intellectuals and have devoted their youth to the national defense construction of the motherland.
They all cherish time and often get up in the early morning to read books. I have been influenced by it since I was a child, and I have developed the good habit of cherishing time, working hard and studying. I am not afraid of hardships and want to complete everything with my own strength.
When I was four years old, my parents started to let me learn English by listening to the tape. Every time I encounter difficulties in my studies, I go to ask my father for advice. After he taught me, he asked me to kiss him to show my gratitude.
My brother is my military advisor. Whenever I have something hesitant, I can always get good advice from him. In such a warm family environment, I successfully got into Nankai University in 1997 and studied at the international trade major.
(I came to Cyprus alone in 1998)
But just when I was looking forward to a bright future, my teacher poured cold water on me. He said: "The knowledge I have learned now, when the environment changes when graduation, naturally I will not be able to use it. The most important thing is to learn English well first." But China is not a good environment for learning English.
I felt confused and told my father about this. Unexpectedly, my father took it to heart. After a semester of his senior year, he suddenly came to school to ask me if I wanted to study abroad? I also wanted to go out and broaden my horizons, so I decided to go abroad.
The most ideal study abroad countries at that time were the United Kingdom and the United States, but it was difficult to apply. My father found out that after two years of college in Cyprus, he could take the UK and the United States to take the UK and the United States.
Cyprus is located on the edge of Eurasia and is an island country in Mediterranean . It is a Commonwealth country, and its official languages are Greek and Turkish , but are common in English. After graduation, most students can go to universities in the United States, Britain and other countries to continue their studies.
(challenge landing from a height of 4500 meters)
Therefore, studying in Cyprus is like taking a shortcut to Britain and the United States. So, I was moved. But unexpectedly, the decision to go to Cyprus became a major turning point in my life.
When the sophomore year started, I did not go to school again, but said goodbye to my motherland and went to Cyprus alone.
The scenery here is beautiful. I have traveled around before, but I have never seen such a stunning blue sky. The snow-white clouds are reflected in the clear and green sea water, which is indescribable. The island is full of beautiful churches, full of rich exotic style.
completed the admission procedures and found that the currency here was "very expensive". 1 yuan Secco is equivalent to 17 yuan. Thinking of the salary of both parents and soldiers, I feel very stressed. In order to reduce the burden on the family, I decided to work and study half-time.
is very lucky. On the fourth day of coming to Cyprus, I heard that a Greek family urgently needed someone to help take care of their children and do housework. The salary was not high, but it was food and accommodation. I quickly contacted the other party and got a job opportunity that day.
(swimming with sea turtles in Cyprus)
started to work and half-read. After class every morning, he went back to his employer's house to cook, iron, take care of his children, etc. I waited until the night before my family went to bed, and then continued to study in the living room until late at night.
Once I went to a bookstore to buy books, and I was surprised to find that there were many domestic newspapers and magazines there, and they were free.
It turns out that the old man who is taking care of the bookstore will go to the Chinese Embassy every week to get some expired newspapers and magazines for Chinese students to read for free.
Sometimes some canned bread will be placed on it, which is used as caring food for Chinese students to use for free. Unexpectedly, the people here are so friendly to the Chinese, and I feel very moved.
The employer is also very good to me, but they don’t speak very well in English and have some difficulty in communicating. In order to do their job well, I also feel it’s a pity not to take the opportunity to learn Greek, so I started learning Greek.
(Happy Family)
When playing with your children, it is the best time to practice Greek. When you encounter someone you don’t understand, you can ask your employer for advice, so you can quickly communicate in Greek.
At the same time, I became interested in this language and wanted to further improve my language skills and would also have multiple choices in the future. So after the school was over, I signed up for the Greek language class of University of Cyprus .
Although I am happy to study, my life is not so satisfactory. The employer refused to pay the salary he had negotiated in a few months because he had no money either. But they took good care of me in life, and I didn’t have to worry about accommodation, so I kept going.
Later, the employer's family was so poor that I had no food to eat, so I took out my savings to help them get through the difficulties. A year and a half later, the employer moved to another city and we ended the employment relationship.
(Beautiful double rainbow on the island of Cyprus)
At that time, I only had a few pounds left on my body, and I couldn't even afford to rent a place to live. But I didn't ask my parents for it, because I was afraid they would worry. Fortunately, two female classmates from the Greek class had a good relationship with me and invited me to live with me. After the Greek course was over, I began to focus on finding a job. But the job is not that easy to find. I searched for several weeks but couldn't find it. I was so anxious that I couldn't sleep well.
Later, I finally found a job for express delivery. Because of diligence, the income is pretty good. Unexpectedly, this has been working for 5 years, and I didn’t expect that it has brought me new opportunities.
One day, I encountered a large search by the police while delivering a courier. At that time, I forgot to wear a helmet on a motorcycle, and violated the regulations and was stopped by the police.
At first, I just felt unlucky, but I didn't expect the consequences to be so serious and I had to go to court. I was so scared that my heart was pounding, my palms were covered in sweat, so I quickly explained to the police.
(Take my mother to Nordic trip)
Because I was in Greek, the police were surprised that he had never met a Chinese who could speak Greek and could speak so fluently. He handed me paper and pen, saying that if I could write his words down in Greek, he would return the motorcycle to me and not send me to court.
I was overjoyed and quickly took it over, completed the dictation easily, and successfully retrieved the motorcycle. From this we can see how important it is to know the local language!
Unexpectedly, just a few days later, I received a call from the police, thinking that they had repented, but unexpectedly, I asked me to be the translator.
Although they are common in English, the documents submitted to the court must be in Greek. Sometimes when encountering Chinese cases, no one understands Chinese, which leads to difficulty in handling them. And I am proficient in Chinese, English and Greek, and I am the only one who can translate in their hearts. From then on, I became a special translator for the police station.
(my good pair of children)
Later, many government departments knew that I was proficient in three languages: Chinese, English and Greek, so the police stations, courts, immigration bureaus, refugee bureaus, etc. in various cities also came to me for translation.
Later, the entire Cyprus government knew about my existence, and my translation work became more and more extensive, involving almost all government departments in the country. In this way, since 2000, I have been translating for the Cyprus government for more than ten years.
In 2003, a well-known writer in Cyprus learned about me from the police station and asked me to help translate one of his novels.
While doing express delivery and translation, I am also studying the ACCA " International Certified Public Accountant " course, and preparing to obtain this professional qualification certificate recognized by more than 180 countries and has a high value, preparing for better employment opportunities in the future.
ACCA courses are all classes at night, so they do not affect work during the day. Later, in order to gain relevant work experience, he quit his job in express delivery and entered an accounting firm, where he took the exam while doing an internship.
(5-year-old son is not afraid of hardship)
also works part-time in various translation work. By 2005, he was already famous. Not only the government, but even the factory owner knew me.When they were about to go to China to purchase equipment, they asked me to go with me to interpret them.
Once, someone wanted to purchase stone equipment and wanted me to help find a factory in China, but I don’t know about it. My roommate said she knew a Chinese man who did stone trade. He had also studied in Cyprus and should be able to help, so he introduced it to me.
That's it. I met Mr. Che and asked him to help contact the factory. Then they took foreigners to visit , Yangtze River Delta, , and purchased a lot of large-scale equipment.
During the contact process, I found that Mr. Che was not only enthusiastic and cheerful, but also a very interesting and thoughtful person.
What surprised me was that he had actually known me for a long time. He was in Cyprus and was taken to the police station for motorcycles. It was the interpreter I did for him and the police.
(In 2019, Mr. Wu was invited to attend the 70th anniversary celebration as a representative of overseas Chinese)
Because he has common study abroad experience and many common languages, he has a great conversation and gets closer and closer. In 2006, we determined our relationship. It was also in this year that I got the ACCA certificate. Soon after I got the certificate, I heard that the Cyprus Tourism Bureau was recruiting and training tour guides, but I was going to go to the University of Cyprus to study for a full year. I was a little hesitant, but my brother said that the opportunity was rare, so I suspended my work and entered the school to study tour guide major.
guide courses cover history, geography, natural environment, Byzantine history, culture, art, etc., and there are dozens of subjects in total. The teachers include archaeological experts, Byzantine artists, TV hosts, botanists, etc., and the teaching quality is very high.
In 2007, I successfully passed the professional course exam and obtained the official registered Chinese tour guide qualification certificate, becoming the first and only person to obtain this certificate.
(Our tourism company has received many Chinese people traveling to Cyprus)
This year, I was in the mood for two years. Not only did I get the tour guide certificate , but I became the tour guide of the largest tourism company in the local area, but I also got married to Mr. Che.
Cyprus is my blessed land. I have long regarded it as my second hometown and never want to go to the UK or the US again. Although this country is small, it has a livable climate, high per capita income, is enthusiastic and friendly to the Chinese, and has a low crime rate. It is one of the safest countries in the world. I loved it very much and wanted to stay here, so I applied for my passport.
The General Police Department, the court, the Immigration Bureau and the largest local tourism company jointly wrote a letter of recommendation for passport application for me. The following year, I got my passport and became the only Chinese who has not obtained Cypriot nationality through investment or marriage.
In 2010, my husband came to me from China. I quit my original job and started working side by side with my husband to start a business together. The industry involves stone trade, immigration, tourism, catering, and real estate construction. The locals call us "the strongest CP in Serbia".
(Mr. celebrated my birthday)
We first established a stone trading company and became a partner of many real estate companies. At the same time, I also translated immigration materials for real estate companies. Later, I learned that the government was going to implement a new immigration policy, so I seized the opportunity to start immigration business.
As more and more Chinese tourists have been added, a tourism service company has been established. I personally served as a tour guide, received a large number of domestic compatriots, and provided them with high-quality tourism services, which have received widespread praise. For this purpose, he also won the Outstanding Contribution Award from the Cyprus Tourism Bureau.
During the tour, I heard tourists complain that the taste of the Chinese restaurant here was very strange and they couldn't eat it. I simply opened an authentic Chinese restaurant, which is the only Chinese restaurant run by Chinese in Nicosia, the capital.
For this reason, I also specially invited a professional chef from China. He is experienced and has been hired to North Korea to provide Chinese food guidance for chefs of national leaders. Therefore, the restaurant's reputation has suddenly become popular with its authentic Chinese taste, and many people come to visit it.
(The Director of the Cyprus National Tourism Administration awarded us the Medal of Outstanding Contribution)
2011 was the first Spring Festival when my husband and I reunited. We organized a Spring Festival Gala for Chinese people in Serbia together, allowing Chinese and overseas Chinese to celebrate the united and lively Chinese New Year together. This is also the first time that local Chinese have held such a large-scale party. After
, Chinese community activities will be held during festivals, which will also make the Chinese community feel voice, warmth, and cohesion. Mr. was also elected as the president of the Cyprus Chinese and Overseas Chinese Friendship Association.
In addition to hosting traditional Chinese festivals such as New Year's Eve, Lantern Festival, etc., we also held gatherings and large-scale events for foreign friends such as Russian New Year's party, Cyprus New Year's Eve celebrations.
restaurants soon became a platform for cultural exchanges between China and Serbia and a gathering place for friendly exchanges among peoples in Serbia. Every year, it receives a large number of Chinese, civil groups and Chinese-Serbian government officials, and gradually becomes a hub of friendly relations between the two countries.
In order to promote cultural exchanges between China and Serbia, our husband and wife have always insisted on their own efforts and have also won recognition and affirmation from the people to the government.
(The World Thalassemia Alliance Organization and China-Serbia experts and other National Day dinners were held in our restaurant)
Over the past decade, as China's national strength continues to increase, its influence abroad has also been greatly enhanced, and the respect for the Chinese people in all walks of life in Cyprus has also increased. We and my wife can be seen working hard in many industries and places in Cyprus.
Cyprus leaders and business partners at all levels are also very supportive of us, and we also deeply understand that the strength of our motherland is a strong backing for the smooth development of our career.
With the development of the Belt and Road Initiative, China-Serbia relations have become closer. In order to encourage economic development, Cyprus has introduced preferential immigration policies, and more and more Chinese people want to come to Serbia to invest and buy houses.
In 2019, we set up a construction and real estate development company while the iron was hot, and undertaken multiple real estate projects such as apartments and villas.
Although I am busy with work, after my daughter and son were born one after another, I did a good job of time coordination and planning, so that I could take into account both my career and family. I often accompany my children to practice piano, do gymnastics, take them on outings, fly kites, etc., and often go to different parts of the world to see different scenery.
(locals call us "the strongest CP in Serbia")
What makes me happiest is that I took my parents over and lived there a few years ago. It has been 20 years since I left my hometown at the age of 19. Now I finally have the opportunity to respect my parents and enjoy their old age. I feel particularly satisfied.
Mom also likes this place very much. Once when she was out, she encountered rain and she didn't bring her rain gear. An enthusiastic stranger took the initiative to send her home. My mother praised the place for its good climate, good scenery, and friendly people.
I often take the elderly and children to enjoy this leisurely and good time together. Three generations gathered together and felt that life was really happy and perfect.
Although my parents are over 70 years old, they still insist on reading and reading news every day and caring about national affairs. My mother even taught herself Chinese painting and calligraphy, becoming the best role model for me and my children.
The two children are also very committed, diligent and studious, and are not afraid of hardships. Even the extremely hard-working gymnastics will persist in practicing every day. My daughter has won the gold medal in the Cyprus' rhythmic gymnastics group.
(Three generations live together)
has always actively contributed his meager strength to the friendship between China and Serbia. In 2019, at the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the motherland, he also received an invitation from the motherland. As a representative of Chinese and overseas Chinese in Cyprus, he went to Tiananmen to watch the ceremony and was received by national leaders.
At that moment, I was extremely excited. Although I was unable to arrive at the scene, I was also very proud. The strength of the motherland is the pride and confidence of our foreign Chinese. We love it from the bottom of our hearts and sincerely wish it to get better and better.
Unexpectedly, an epidemic broke out at the end of that year. We were anxious. As the president of the Chinese and Overseas Chinese Friendship Association, Mr. immediately called on Chinese and overseas Chinese in Seychelles to donate money and materials.
Due to the cumbersome customs procedures for medical supplies, in order to deliver the supplies to the places where they need them the most as soon as possible, many overseas Chinese who are preparing to return to China followed the association's advice, adjusted their flight dates, cooperated with the material delivery, filled their suitcases with epidemic prevention materials, and carried them back to the motherland by manpower, and arranged by the Hubei Overseas Chinese Affairs Office to receive them, and then sent them to the designated hospital.
(Organize Chinese and overseas Chinese to welcome the frigate Yancheng in Cyprus)
"Watch and help each other, a ray of sunshine will illuminate the heart; work together, a little fire can warm the soul." Everyone is extremely looking forward to the motherland's health and safety as soon as possible.
Who knew that Cyprus was also affected by the epidemic later. Mr. organized an association to call on Chinese and overseas Chinese in Serbia to lend a helping hand and distributed a large number of love masks to Cyprus police stations, supermarkets and other institutions for free.
We have also been reported by the mainstream media in Cyprus and have given full recognition, creating a good image of friendship and kindness for Chinese and overseas Chinese.
During the epidemic period, our tourism and catering were in trouble, but real estate sales unexpectedly rose.
Our self-developed projects are concentrated in the capital Nicosia. This is not only the political, economic, cultural and commercial center of Cyprus, but also concentrates 80% of the country's educational resources. It has many century-old international schools and has always attracted overseas investors. Even during the epidemic period, our real estate projects still attract attention.
(I took a photo with the members of the United Nations Chinese military in Cyprus)
Importantly, the construction and decoration standards are far ahead of projects of the same price in the local area. The locals saw with their own eyes that the building we built was of excellent quality, so they came to buy a house. Therefore, real estate sales have not decreased but increased.
Recalling that I came alone 24 years ago and even had to make careful calculations for accommodation, I couldn't help but feel a lot of emotion. I cherish everything I have now, especially the time I spend with my loved ones.
However, sometimes you can’t help yourself. In March this year, my father left us forever. Sometimes the world is over, and my lovesickness is endless. Although I am heartbroken, I can only adjust my emotions, take good care of my mother, and continue to live.
business continues to make progress at this time. In July, the commercial sports center we designed and invested and built independently broke out; in September, investors came to order when the luxury apartment building developed in Limassol was still under construction.
(Sports renderings of the sports center built by the company)
Our success is inseparable from the strength of the motherland and the support of people from all walks of life, and must be in line with the right time, place, and people. In the future, we will continue to work hard to educate our children well, not embarrass the Chinese, live up to their parents' teachings, overcome difficulties, and continue to move forward.
Although I am in Cyprus, I have never forgotten that I am Chinese, and my heart will always be Chinese. I am happy and proud when the motherland is strong; I have no choice but to do my best to do my best for it.
sincerely wishes China and Serbia prosperity and strength, and friendship between China and Serbia lasts forever.
[Oral: Wang Xiaoyu]
[Editor: Mengtianyun]
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