Solomon Elusoji

‘Chinese people are very humble’

Coming to China I wanted to study medicine. There was no chance for me to do that in Ghana. So I applied to a university in China. I was 18, going on 19. Originally, China wasn’t in my plans. It was just a backup plan. My first plan was to study in the United States. But it was a long process. So I had to fall back on China. First impressions? When I got here, this place was really big and beautiful. I was stunned. Then there were so many people who didn’t speak English. And it was very hard to find people who speak English. Also, I came during winter, so it was quite cold. And I because I am a very reserved person, it was a bit difficult to make friends, at first. Singing in China I used to sing in my room. Then I met Eme Mba, in church. He sort of discovered me and introduced me to a band in our school. So I became a part of it and started singing and people started noticing me and I started to get gigs. In the future, I really want to become an amazing songstress. But at the moment, I have to finish Med School. After school, I will definitely pursue music, alongside my medical career. Chinese racism? I have experienced a lot of racism here, but I overlook it. I guess it’s just something normal, since black people here are a minority. Even if It’s getting better, people still want to touch your hair and ask lots of questions like why are you so dark? Why is your skin like that? Honestly, this is the only challenge with Africa and China relations, the racism. I feel we should see each other as one people, as human. Learning Chinese? My Chinese is just okay. I can’t speak like a native. I can say the basic things. I do want to learn. But it’s tough, because it has a lot of tones. And in order for you to learn, you need to make a lot of Chinese friends who you speak to constantly. Staying back in China? I wouldn’t say I would love to stay back. But it isn’t a bad idea. If I leave, I’ll miss the way everything here is so accessible. Things are way easier for us here. Whatever you want you can easily get. And I love Chinese food. My favorite is Yi shian rou shi. I also love their Chaofan and baozi. I also like Chinese people’s attitude: they are very dedicated and humble. Even if they drive huge cars, they stay humble.
Scell Atiley

Scell Atiley is a talented, Ghanaian songstress currently studying medicine in China.

Coming to China

I wanted to study medicine. There was no chance for me to do that in Ghana. So I applied to a university in China. I was 18, going on 19. Originally, China wasn’t in my plans. It was just a backup plan. My first plan was to study in the United States. But it was a long process. So I had to fall back on China.

First impressions?

When I got here, this place was really big and beautiful. I was stunned. Then there were so many people who didn’t speak English. And it was very hard to find people who speak English. Also, I came during winter, so it was quite cold. And I because I am a very reserved person, it was a bit difficult to make friends, at first.

Singing in China

I used to sing in my room. Then I met Eme Mba, in church. He sort of discovered me and introduced me to a band in our school. So I became a part of it and started singing and people started noticing me and I started to get gigs.

In the future, I really want to become an amazing songstress. But at the moment, I have to finish Med School. After school, I will definitely pursue music, alongside my medical career.

Scell, practising with Eme Mba

Chinese racism?

I have experienced a lot of racism here, but I overlook it. I guess it’s just something normal, since black people here are a minority. Even if It’s getting better, people still want to touch your hair and ask lots of questions like why are you so dark? Why is your skin like that? 

Honestly, this is the only challenge with Africa and China relations, the racism. I feel we should see each other as one people, as human.

Learning Chinese?

My Chinese is just okay. I can’t speak like a native. I can say the basic things. I do want to learn. But it’s tough, because it has a lot of tones. And in order for you to learn, you need to make a lot of Chinese friends who you speak to constantly.

Staying back in China?

I wouldn’t say I would love to stay back. But it isn’t a bad idea. If I leave, I’ll miss the way everything here is so accessible. Things are way easier for us here. Whatever you want you can easily get.

And I love Chinese food. My favorite is Yi shian rou shi. I also love their Chaofan and baozi.

I also like Chinese people’s attitude: they are very dedicated and humble. Even if they drive huge cars, they stay humble.

Leave a comment