“Do you want to go to China?” These words, spoken to me in January of this year, would spark a journey of a lifetime—one that would take me to provinces, palaces, and people I had never dreamed of encountering.
After answering in the affirmative, obtaining a Chinese visa, and enduring two nine-hour flights, I finally arrived in Beijing, the place I would call home for the better part of four months.
As a multimedia sports journalist who’s still, in many ways, learning my craft, this was not merely a leisure trip. It was, for all intents and purposes, a work assignment and professional training. I was flying two flags: one for my home country, Saint Lucia, representing St Lucia Times, and the other for Barbados, representing parent company Barbados Today. This opportunity to test my mettle against some of the best storytellers in the world came through a media exchange programme organised by the China International Press Communication Centre (CIPCC). It was made possible by the support of my managers, God, and my family and I couldn’t afford to let any of them down.
My immediate reaction upon arrival, after clearing immigration, was how different this place was from the world I knew. Everything was unfamiliar: the architecture, the language, the social norms. And perhaps most striking of all, it was the first time in my life that I found myself a member of a racial minority. Yet, the cultural gap between me and my hosts began to close surprisingly quickly, thanks to the warmth and hospitality of the Chinese people.
The road ahead was filled with challenges, but I quickly learned that difficulties and opportunities are two sides of the same coin. One particular challenge was adjusting to the attention I received—people staring and taking unsolicited photos of me was a culture shock, especially for someone naturally introverted. In the West, this type of attention is rare and often frowned upon.
Initially, I felt my privacy was being invaded.
But over time, I came to see that the stares weren’t hostile or suspicious; they were filled with curiosity, wonder and perhaps even admiration. To many, I was a walking, talking novelty: a Black man in China. And that, to them, was fascinating.
Though it took some time to adjust to this “celebrity” status, I began engaging in small interactions despite the language barrier, and in doing so, I gained a deeper appreciation for my Asian “brothers” and “sisters.” These conversations, however brief, humanised our experiences and reminded me how much we all have in common.
Other profound lessons came through visits to world-renowned landmarks such as the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Bird’s Nest Olympic Stadium. Witnessing how China has blended ancient traditions with modern technological advancement was a revelation. It showed me that a country can stay rooted in its identity while charging boldly into the future. To think that this was once one of the world’s poorest nations merely four decades ago, and now boasts an economic presence that rivals the United States, was both humbling and inspiring.
It proved to me that the Global South is capable of extraordinary achievements given strong leadership, visionary thinking and good old-fashioned grit.
Still, what made this journey truly extraordinary were the people I shared it with in our Caribbean delegation, each with unique perspectives and personalities: Danielle John (Trinidad), Rickisha St Louis (Grenada), Omega Dublin (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines), Dwayne Anderson (Jamaica) and Casey Jerson (Saint Lucia).
More than just colleagues or professional contacts, these individuals became family.
Despite being the smallest regional group, hailing from some of the smallest nations, we brought unmatched Caribbean flavour and energy to the programme. Together, we laughed, supported each other, and, like true Caribbean people, engaged in spirited debates that left lasting impressions. With them, I felt my most human. They were my home away from home.
When the journey came to an end, I returned to Saint Lucia feeling fulfilled, echoing the words of our own Nobel Laureate, Sir Derek Walcott: “The time will come when, with elation, you will greet yourself arriving at your own door, in your own mirror, and each will smile at the other’s welcome.”
I didn’t return home with just souvenirs— keychains, T-shirts and photos. I came back with a broader, more nuanced perspective of the global community. I didn’t agree with everything I heard or saw, but I learned from it. I grew through it. I went to the other side of the world… and I found myself.
Lovely piece Quinn