EXPERIENCE OUTSIDE KENYA

By Kipkorir Bett

When one travels outside the country (Kenyan) and gets to interact with people there, on the mention of I AM FROM KENYA. 
What is the first impression that will click in their mind, One will think of the Tourism aspect and the wild animals that is in Kenya,others will believe that you are an athlete and that you can run like the Eliud Kipchoge, others will think that you are a Maasai and So many thinks about Kenya that the outside country will Think about. The Question now is What Makes Kenya Kenya? 

Today's Blog am going to highlight some few stories on the experiences shared by my Kenyan close friends and family members who happen to stay outside the country either for studies or for work. They will be able to answer the question;
1. The name of the country, State and City?
2. What is their experience? (Be it Sad one and Funny one too)
3. What they miss about Kenya?
4. What do people think on the mention of Kenya?

To help me in the discussion is: 
Joy - China 
Nelly - Canada 
Gideon - Finland 
Jean - Australia 
Edu - U.S.A

Joy From China 

Photo of Joy with her Friend

" 你好 This is Hi in Chinese. My name is Joy Cherono. Bett is my Sweet Cousin, I am currently in China , Kunming city It's in South of China.This city is a bit traditional so I like it . I miss a lot about Kenya my family , food i really do miss Kenyan food and the general feeling of just being at home
I guess the  most fun experience is hanging out with my friends considering I have friends from different countries and a few Chinese friends , going out for barbecues or having 'Chinese hot pot' 火锅  some kind of Chinese dish prepared with a  simmering pot of soup stock at the dinning table.

Photo of Joy in China

My sad experience here came actually in my second year in china had transferred universities from a Wuhan university where i studied Chinese language to the current university where am taking my course , I felt so homesick and depressed it was so bad used to cry everyday for about a month but luckily I got better 

Most exciting experience would say is visiting Shanghai tower and getting to try the world's fastest subway

Most of the time when I tell people am from Kenya their first thought would be SGR ,then talk about animals and how they'd like to visit and some know about Kenya and marathon. Thank you Cousin for this. Stay safe I love You." Bye in Chinese we say 再见

Nelly From Canada

 Nelly in Canada.(Winter)

" My name is Nelly a Kenyan who lives in Canada the States of Manitoba, Winnipeg City. I am in Canada for an academic purpose. Bett is my high school Desk mate I used to call Him 'Dingo' and I still do to date. What I really miss in Kenya is 'Maziwa ya Sotet' and my family and friends too. Being in Canada has been the most exciting experience meeting people from different places, But the challenge is the cold winterin this place. The most exciting experience was playing in the snow 'Deski ilikuwa so fun'. Lastly the Canadians that have interacted with and asked them about Kenya love the climate in Kenya, the coastal beach and the wild animals in wildlife parks. Thank you for this talk continue doing what you do, Stay safe and Good bless Kenya."

Gideon From Finland 

Giddy with Bangladesh friends

" Moi my name is Giddy. Moi is a greeting in Finnish to say 'Hi'. Bett is my primary friend. I am a Kenyan who lives in Finland Helsinki states, Espo city. I really miss my friends and family in Kenya. I also miss speaking my Language freely 'Huku i just have to speak in Finnish'. The greatest challenge I face in Finland is the Cold during Winter but i can tell Kenya's climate is so favorable. Most of the my Bangladesh friends tell me they would wish to come to Kenya and invest there because of the favorable climate and friendly nature of Kenyans. The only Fear about Kenya is the Politics. They say the Kenyan Politics is bad. 
Talking of the funny experience, there is a day I happened to go do some shopping and I 
was still new, so after I was done with my shopping I pretended to know how to speak Finnish at the Counter. They asked for the Card to pay my bill and I gave them my passport. It was so embarrassing and funny too. Even after I left they were still laughing. Thank you Bett for such a talk. God bless Kenya, stay indoors and sanitize, we are also doing the same. 'Moimoi' to mean Bye Bye." 

Jean from Australia 

" My name is Jean I live in Australia New South Wales States, the City of Sydney but am a Kenyan. Bett is my High school classmate. What I miss in Kenya is my family and friends. The greatest experience here is meeting different people and making new friends. 
I can't afford not to mention the food 'Sea food and Sushi' one of my favorite meal in this place. Kenyan is know for being corrupt but then they do consider the positive side about Kenya on the Wildlife that interests them so much. Thank you for this chance Bett. You know am a man of few words. Bye!" 

Collins from Hungary

"My name is collins. I'm in Budapest,Hungary. I came here to study.I miss my family,friend and definitely food.However,i do like Gyros pita a common dish here. Makimg new friends has been fun,interacting with people from different countries.In late September,i went to a tax office to get some documents and after handing them my passport,the guy started asking me about the Maasai Mara,the Maasai people and if i was one of them.When you mention Kenya,most people i've interacted with  think of the Kenyan tea,the Maasai Mara and the Maasai people.

Edwin from U.S.A

My name is Edwin.i'm in the USA ,the state of Minnesota,Anoka county.The USA is a good country.I miss the nice warm weather in Kenya,i miss being with friends and family because in Kenya i get more than enough time to be with my family.I miss Kenyan food generally.Funny experience in the United states is the American accent.Black Americans talk exactly the way we hear them in movies.I find it funny when they talk and their sentences are full of swear words with that accent it's funny.Sad experience,is when i have to work everyday to take care of my bills.

There's so much to enjoy here but no time,life is too busy.Exciting experience is when i interact with people from diverse cultures and also  USA is beautiful in nature and everything is possible here.There is much light in life and success is assured.I also get to experience seasons like summer,winter,autumn and spring/fall and i think that's exciting,When Kenya is mentioned Americans talk and think about visiting Kenya.Kenya is also recognized by athletes.Kenyans abroad as viewed as really hardworking and focused.Thank you.

Comment and let me see what you think about this.

Thank you and God bless you.