My Journey Into Mandarin at the Confucius Institute Suriname

Dajia hao! (Hello everyone! 👋) Shachem Lieuw here, back with another Story Time Productions update! 🎥

Last year, I was a bit quiet on the blog, but if you’ve been following my journey, you know I don't just "sit still." Between my entrepreneurial ventures, tech developments, and various social projects across Suriname, my plate has been overflowing! 🏗️💻

But today, I want to share a very personal project: Learning Mandarin Chinese. 🏮

Reclaiming the Legacy of the Lieuw Name 🧬

For those who see me, I’m a super mixed Surinamese "brown baby," but I carry a Chinese family name with a lot of history. My grandfather and my ancestors all spoke Chinese. My dad is fluent in both Mandarin and Hakka. In fact, Hakka is our true family language—the one my dad learned directly from his grandfather.

I realized recently that I didn't want to be the first Lieuw generation to let the language stop with me. Learning Mandarin is my way of honoring my roots and making sure that the bridge to my ancestors stays open. It’s about more than just words; it’s about heritage.

Becoming a Student of the Confucius Institute 🏫

Last October, I officially enrolled at the Confucius Institute Suriname.

Located within the AdeKUS (Anton de Kom University of Suriname) campus in Paramaribo, the Institute is the heart of Chinese language and cultural exchange in our country. It’s been the perfect environment to transition from "hearing" the language to actually "studying" it.

Progress Report: HSK 1 and the Best Attendance Award 🏆

I recently finished HSK 1 Part 1 and am moving straight into Part 2! I’m even prepping to take the official HSK 1 (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) proficiency test soon. Wish me luck! 🍀

At our recent graduation ceremony, I was incredibly proud to receive the Best Attendance Award. Even with early mornings and late nights at Thermo-Dynamic Solutions N.V., I made sure to show up for my roots.

Wo xihuan xue zhongwen (I like learning Chinese) and wo xihuan shuo zhongwen (I like speaking Chinese)! 🗣️✨

Being able to communicate with my hen duo Chinese pengyou (many Chinese friends) in Suriname has been amazing. There’s a special kind of smile you get when you speak to someone in their mother tongue.

A Tech Babe with a Global Vision 💻✍️

Learning Mandarin broadens the field for me as both a writer and a tech babe. Tech is a global language, and being able to bridge the gap between Suriname, the Caribbean, and the massive innovation coming out of China is a huge advantage.

I’m currently working on a "masterwork" project that I can't wait to share with you all once it's finished. Until then, the process continues!

Rehearsal Time: "Tan Wang Lao Peng You" 🎤

In class, we’ve been working on a beautiful song called "Tan Wang Lao Peng You" (Revisiting an Old Friend). It’s a perfect theme for my journey of revisiting my own family’s history. Check out our rehearsal video below! 🎞️👇

Stay Tuned! 🎒

I’m back, and I have so many more tales to tell. From the 10 districts of Suriname to the classrooms of AdeKUS, the journey never stops.

Want to follow my progress? Make sure to subscribe to the blog and stay updated on the latest from Story Time Productions!