Welcome to Episodes 9 (Chinese) and 10 (English)! I am deeply honored to host my friend, Niya. This also marks my first attempt at recording online. Although separated by the Pacific Ocean, our conversation still reached the depths of our hearts.Where I am deeply honored to host my friend, Niya. This also marks my first attempt at recording online. Although separated by the Pacific Ocean, our conversation still reached the depths of our hearts.

We met and became acquainted while doing volunteering at the Stanford International Center. Niya lived in California for a year as a Berkeley Visiting Scholar, while also being a Stanford Scholar's Family Member and actively participating in many Stanford campus activities. She returned to China this February and currently works in Beijing at an educational research institution, studying education finance and policy formulation.

I was thrilled to talk with Niya about her unique observations and interpretations of "abroad" and "home." In this episode, she shared her understanding of hometown, noting that it is separated into geographical and psychological aspects. She referenced the profound idea that “Hometown is where the heart finds peace”. She also sincerely discussed her psychological transformation, moving from the highly pressurized domestic state (known as "involution") to a more relaxed and self-enjoying state.

Niya also generously shared her experience of parenting abroad, detailing how her son, Phil, adapted to the relaxed educational environment of the American public school system, and her redefinition of family—focusing on her own nuclear family. We hope that through Niya's story, everyone can feel that open, free, and self-pleasing attitude toward life, and find spiritual belonging (a home for the soul).

P.S.: 

During the recording of this episode, I was so focused on being the host that I held back my emotions. However, when editing the program, I was moved a second time; I cried while editing and felt healed in the process. I sincerely hope this episode brings some emotional resonance to you on the other end of your phone. If you enjoy this podcast, please leave a comment, hit the like button, and share!