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Indian woman calls Bantian home

Writer: 

Han Ximin

  | Editor: Jane Chen  | From:  | Updated: 2017-06-05

Sabeena Dilshad dressed in Indian attire to attend the English corner organized by the Bantian Service Station for Expats with her husband and son. Han Ximin

Email of the writer: ximhan@126.com

HAVING lived in the international community in Bantian Subdistrict, Longgang, with her husband and child for nearly two years, Sabeena Dilshad, from India, now calls Shenzhen home.

In the morning, after sending her son to school, Dilshad’s first job is to chat with her Chinese neighbors, study the Chinese language, or read some English books at the community library.

She is a regular participant in the activities organized by the community and subdistrict office for expats.

“My neighbors are excellent. They can speak good English and I have grasped the Chinese language little by little,” said Dilshad, adding that there weren’t any obstacles to her living in Shenzhen thanks to her neighbors’ tips on buying food, commuting and shopping.

Dilshad has picked up spoken Chinese quickly thanks to her son Khaja Mohiuddin, who often teaches her after coming back from school, as well as the Chinese friends she made at the English corner that the Bantian Service Station regularly organizes for expats.

Dilshad often attends the English corner and celebrations of Western festivals, dressing in traditional Indian attire and explaining Indian traditions such as how to apply beautiful Henna patterns to their hands.

Dilshad even prepared a locker containing saree, headgear and other ornaments for neighbors to try on during the English corner activities.

“Mohiuddin is 4 years old and has made a lot of friends, and we are happy to work, study and live in Shenzhen,” she said.

The happiest time for the family is dinner when they share stories of work, school and the community.

Dilshad came to Shenzhen in 2015 with her husband who works for a Shenzhen technology company.

“I was attracted by the blue sky of Shenzhen when I got off of the plane and gradually fell in love with the city for its good environment, safe environment and good education quality,” she said.

Vanke City in Bantian is one of the communities where foreigners gather. More than 100 foreigners, most of them talents working for technology companies such as Huawei, Foxconn or Hasee, live in the community.