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A Chai Shop and Contrasts
A Chai Shop and Contrasts
Jo-Ann Sanu, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
A chance encounter over a cup of chai leaves a lasting impression in this touching reflection.
Click here to read the A Chai Shop and Contrasts.
Jo-Ann Sanu
Jo-Ann Sanu is a second-year student studying logistics at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. She was born and brought up in Dubai while she traces her roots to the Indian state of Kerala. You might find her performing at a slam poetry event or laughing out loud at a stand-up comedy show. At other times, she’ll be bursting into a song while shamelessly messing up the lyrics. With a zest for traveling, she loves to explore the world and interact with the people in it. She likes to think of herself as a storyteller, and she’s intrigued by politics, finance and the world around her.
Author’s Introduction
Growing up in Dubai, I experienced a mix of cultures and a life of contrasts. Dubai was home to luxury and riches. At the same time, it was also home to thousands of immigrants who had left their home countries in search of better lives. Experiencing these diverse cultures has shaped my life and the way I perceive the world. I’ve learnt that things aren’t always as they seem on the surface. So, when I came across the Read@PolyU competition in which I had to write about a touchstone event that impacted on my life, I knew that I wanted to tell the story of Ammu’s mom who left everything to create a better life in Dubai. Meeting her has inspired me to think about other issues such as the challenges migrant workers face and how their living standards contrast with those they work for.
Photo Credits
Photo by Johan Mouchet on Unsplash