NSA Around the World - Asia
By Keziah H.
Aerial View of Dubai by View more by Gagliardi Photography Created in Canva
Here is a quick quiz for our Navigator readers today:
Asia…
A. Is the largest continent by land mass
B. Is the largest continent by population
C. Contains 51 countries
D. All of the above
("Asia Population, Countries, Land Area & Growth")
If you answered D, you are correct! Asia is all of those things and more. From the bustling tuk-tuk filled streets of India, to the pristine reefs of Timor-Leste, there is so much to explore in this vast continent. Although there are many differences between countries and even regions in a country, there are also many similarities that these countries have.
When asked their favorite things about their countries, NSA students in Asia were very descriptive. One, Rebeca, enjoyed the natural aspects of her home, Timor-Leste, saying, “Timor-Leste is one of the best places in the world for whale watching, especially between October and January, when blue whales migrate through our water. It's also an incredible spot to go snorkeling and diving, the reefs are stunning!” There is little pollution where she is due to the lack of development, so it is, in her opinion “very pure and untouched.” Tourists often come between the months of October and January just to see the blue whales migrating. Brooklyn, one of our members at the Navigator, also lived in Asia for most of her life, in India. Her favorite thing was the variety of food there. She said, “There are all kinds of spices and flavors to add to food. I loved this cauliflower dish called Honey Chili Gobi (which tastes like chicken) and dosa (sort of like a crepe),” and, “I also loved how close by everything was. I could walk to places on my own and get transportation easily.”
The people were also an important factor in what made Asian countries so enjoyable to live in. Brooklyn shared that the Indian people “are some of the funniest I've ever met. They love their family and like to invite people over for tea. They are pretty straight-forward when they talk so it can lead to the most out of pocket conversations. I love their culture and seeing how it's different from how I live it. One thing that's interesting is that they tend to stay up late and eat dinner around 8pm or later.” Rebeca also felt positively about Timorese, “Something fun about Timor is that you can practically ask people anything on the streets and ask them about their life, with respect if they are older, and you can ask them personal questions and they usually would be happy to [answer them].”
Though countries in Asia are all different from each other, they all have one thing in common: respect and a desire for understanding. From the reluctance to disagree with elders in Timor-Leste, to the pointed honesty of friends in India, it is clear that knowledge and respect are important. This is important at NSA as well, as we strive to learn more, but act respectful and kind to others. Hopefully all NorthStar students, not just those in Asia, will be able to put this into practice this year!
Columns: 🧑🚀NSA Culture, 👤NSA People, 🔎Informational
Keziah H. lives in East Africa with her parents, two brothers, and a mischievous puppy named Bandit. This is her fifth and last year at NorthStar, and her second year at the Navigator. She likes to read almost any book she can get her hands on, but especially fantasy books. She also enjoys creative writing, coming up with awesome ideas with her brothers, and playing outside. She has been writing stories ever since she can remember and hopes to be an author when she grows up.