Christopher Kausch, a major of international politics and history at Jacobs University Breme, interns at China Economic Daily Newspaper.

BEIJING - I will never forget my childhood days spent watching educational animated children's programmes; namely Sagwa The Chinese Siamese Cat.

It detailed the moral-teaching adventures of three Siamese cats named Sagwa, Dongwa, and Shigua at their Magistrate's Palace during the last golden years of the Qing Dynasty.

Despite its child-friendly historical approach in illustrating the marvellous wonders of China and its culture, the programme did leave an impression. It would not be until I landed on Chinese soil for the first time that I would learn these names all describe various members of the melon family (Shagua, Donggua, Xigua).

Such lessons all fall under the category of priceless.

Although it took months for me to save up for an entire summer immersed in Chinese culture and international work experience, it is difficult to put price tags on the experiences I have had, whether good or bad.

From the disgusting spitting on the streets by locals to the interminable hounding of street vendors to buy their cheap merchandise, living in China may seem forbidding to even those who desire a life-changing study abroad experience.

Nevertheless, a recipe consisting of optimism, enthusiasm, and a dash of tolerance all cook the perfect dish to consume while in China.

From where do these ingredients surge? I have to thank my Grade 11 Mandarin Chinese teacher for inspiring me to study this seemingly impossible but manageable-to-learn language in order to open the communication gate to another 1.4 billion people.

The daily language barrier has indeed caused frustration for someone who is accustomed to the face-paced New Yorker and direct German lifestyles.

Yet I challenge myself everyday to genuinely enrich my knowledge of Mandarin to narrow the gap between potential global partnerships uniting the eastern and western worlds. So what if I am not residing in a five-star hotel and smothering myself in luxury following intensive days of writing newspaper articles, interviewing international ministers of tourism, and frequently fine-tuning my existing masterpieces?

The connections I have made with the people, whether my Chinese roommate working with accounting firms or the smiling cab driver who appreciates attempts by a foreigner to communicate in the local language, will remain indented in my memory when the time comes to leave this fascinating country.