"I want to continue being a cultural ambassador, sharing Hainan's stories and opportunities with more people," said Klaudia Anna Misztal.

"For me, returning to my hometown in Poland and sharing everything about China — especially Hainan — with my family and friends was the most meaningful moment of 2024," said Anna, a Polish international student at Hainan University.

After three years in Hainan, Anna finally had the long-awaited opportunity to return to her hometown. She shared that when her family and friends asked about Hainan's natural beauty, culture, and development opportunities, her role as a "cultural ambassador" once again came into play.

"The ocean, blue skies, rainforests, mountains, ethnic minority cultures... I told them everything I knew. I could feel their curiosity about Hainan, and at last, they felt reassured about my decision to come here," she said.

A Different Hainan

When asked why she came to Hainan, Anna blurted out almost instantly: "Hainan's mountains, Hainan's waters, and the coconut breeze by the sea… You can't find this kind of natural scenery in Poland."

Driven by her curiosity about tropical islands, Anna came to study in a language program at Hainan University in 2021. That same curiosity led her to become deeply interested in Hainan's natural landscapes and local culture, inspiring her to embark on a journey of short video creation. "Hainan has so many unique and charming places," she said. "I want to film and document them so that more people can see a different side of Hainan."

Browsing through Anna's Douyin account, one recurring theme runs through her 500+ videos: "What's Hainan like?" Together with her friends, she explores the streets and alleys, mountains and countryside of Hainan, uncovering its hidden gems and unique local charm. From Qilou Old Street to Haikou's "Snake Bridge" and village volleyball games, every topic and story reflects her deep affection for the island. "Each shoot feels like a joyful journey," Anna said. "We try to pour our uplifting energy and appreciation for Hainan's beauty into every video, so that viewers can feel the sea breeze and the warmth of the sunshine too."

In 2024, Anna co-created the short video Hainan, More Than the Sea. Inspired by the striking differences between Hainan and Europe in terms of geography and natural ecology, the video won the Excellence Award at the 6th "My China Story" International Short Video Competition. "Hainan's tropical rainforest is a mysterious green kingdom, completely different from my hometown," Anna said. Recalling the filming experience, she seemed to be back in the embrace of Wuzhi Mountain. "I appeared on camera in the rainforest, surrounded by towering, dense trees that blocked out the sky, winding vines coiling around everything, exotic flowers blooming in vibrant colors, and wild animals darting through the undergrowth… For friends who have never been to Hainan, these are truly rare and precious images."

Anna (left) in the short video Hainan, More Than the Sea [Photo/Hainan University] 

During her field visits and filming, Anna realized the rich cultural heritage of the ethnic minority communities living in the tropical rainforest regions. She and her team visited Li ethnic villages, engaged with local residents, captured traditional Li dance performances on camera, and interviewed artisans to learn about the detailed processes and key techniques of traditional Li weaving, dyeing, and embroidery. In the end, the video not only showcased the natural beauty of Hainan's tropical rainforest but also reflected the region's history, culture, and local customs.

"Winning the award was, of course, a joyful moment," Anna said. The Excellence Award for Hainan, More Than the Sea reaffirmed her belief that she had made the right choice in telling the stories of Hainan's nature and culture.

Bringing Hainan's Local Specialties Home for the Family

After returning to Poland on January, 2024, Anna immediately became the center of attention among her family and friends. "There was a sparkle of curiosity in their eyes — they seemed to see me as an 'adventurer,'" Anna said with a smile. "I shared all kinds of stories about my life in China, and they listened with great interest."

When Anna returned home, she brought back a variety of local specialties: Hainan green tea, coconut desserts, Hainan coffee, cultural and creative products from Hainan University, as well as silk and traditional fans. Her family showed great interest in China, especially Hainan, and eagerly asked questions about the country's development in fields like technology and business. Anna introduced them to China's internet industry, explaining how major tech companies and their innovations have transformed people's lifestyles and payment methods. Everyone was amazed.

They were equally curious about Anna's study and life at Hainan University. With great enthusiasm, Anna described the university's diverse academic lectures, where experts and scholars from various fields gather to share their latest research and unique academic insights. She told her family that the campus is vibrant with student clubs — artistic ones like music and dance, as well as tech-focused ones like robotics and programming — offering students platforms to express themselves and explore their interests.

"They also asked about interactions between Chinese and international students," Anna said. "I told them that at Hainan University, students from different cultural backgrounds discuss ideas together in class, share traditions in the dorms, and participate in all kinds of campus activities together."

Anna films in Hainan's tropical rainforest. [Photo/Hainan University]

Anna also introduced her family to the prospects for international students in China. She said that some international students, with their solid professional knowledge and cross-cultural communication skills, have found ideal positions in multinational companies. Others have opted to continue their studies, pursuing master's and doctoral degrees at Chinese universities, researching topics they are passionate about, thereby laying the foundation for their future academic careers.

Anna also invited her family to watch the works she created in China, including short videos about Hainan. "It feels so special; through these videos, it's like I'm introducing them to my second home, the place where I've lived for three years," Anna said. It was clear that her stories moved her family and friends, sparking their interest in China. "I hope to help them learn more about China and Hainan," she said.

Planning to Film Haikou's Cuisine

When asked about her plans for the coming year, Anna thought for a moment and then responded with the Chinese idiom, Ji Wang Kai Lai - to carry forward the past and open up the future. "There's so much I want to do," she said.

She expressed that learning Chinese will still be her main focus moving forward. Although her Chinese has improved significantly since she first arrived in Hainan, she understands the language's depth and complexity and hopes to continue exploring it. "I use Chinese internet resources to learn the language and also buy Chinese books I enjoy to read." In addition to Chinese, Anna also plans to learn a new language, though she hasn't decided which one yet.

Anna excitedly shared her video shooting plans. "I want to focus on Hainan University and show the world this vibrant and charming campus, allowing everyone to see the atmosphere of cultural integration here." She plans to create a series of short videos about Hainan University, covering topics such as the seasonal beauty of the campus, exciting moments in classrooms and lectures, lively scenes from club activities, and stories of interactions and daily life between Chinese and international students.

Anna (left first) volunteers as a teacher at a school in Hainan. [Photo/Hainan University]

Currently, Anna has fully adapted to life in Hainan. She drinks coconut water and qingbuliang (a traditional Hainan dessert), eats Hainan noodles, and has even learned to enjoy spicy food. She plans to showcase Haikou's unique cuisine through videos- including qingbuliang, Hainan noodles, seafood, and snacks from local Lao Ba Cha (traditional Hainan tea) shops. She also intends to visit some traditional craft workshops in Hainan, to film artisans as they create unique handicrafts, such as exquisite coconut carvings and colorful Li brocade, celebrating the charm of traditional Chinese culture.

news.hainanu.edu.cn contributed to the story.