外国人在佛山生活是一种怎样的体验？最近，我们采访到部分在佛山打拼的外国人。他们当中，有创建“佛山版大众点评”、为外国人提供衣食住行资讯的搭桥人；有为佛山项目做牵线“红娘”，帮助佛山经济变得越来越好的洋雇员；有把医院当成自己家，致力于改善外国病人就医体验的洋医生。今天让我们一起来认识Federica，看看她在佛山的追梦故事！
Recently, we interviewed a few foreigners who pursue their dreams in Foshan. Among them, Aaron created "Foshan version of Dianping", which offers local business search, user generated reviews, detailed business information, group buying and other merchant services for foreigners; Federica serves as a "matchmaker" for Foshan’s investment projects, and boost Foshan’s economy; Dr. Vikalp, a foreign doctor in Foshan, is committed to improving the medical experience of foreign patients. Let’s learn about the story of Federica in Foshan!
“在佛山工作更重要的是人与人之间的联系，而不仅仅是工作。” 斐德莉卡在采访中说道。
“It isn’t about the work, it’s more about the relationship with people.” Said Federica in the interview.
作为佛山市投资促进中心的国际投资推广专员，如今，斐德莉卡已经在佛山工作超过一年了。谈起在这里的工作，她不会感觉“压力山大”。她笑着说，“生活就像一条河流，你可以‘随波逐流’，跟着它的节奏，不慌不忙地过日子。”相比起在意大利朝九晚五的生活，在这里，生活和工作不分家，一个项目往往要涉及方方面面的人和事。尽管最初的生活和工作充满挑战，斐德莉卡形容，交往就像“一条链”，她很享受与各行各界的人打交道。“适应新的城市是一个过程”，她觉得不论是开展新的工作，还是学习新的语言（英语和中文），都需要时间来“入乡随俗”，而这个过程也正是她所期待的。
Federica has been working as an International Investment Promotion Specialist in FIPA (Foshan Investment Promotion Agency) for more than one year. Talking about the work in China, she didn’t feel extremely stressful. “It is more like a river; you just go with the flow.” In Italy, people work nine to five or six according to their lunch break, and then enjoy their time off, while in China, one has to bring work into life since implementing a plan or project involves many processes, resources and people. Though work and life started as a challenge, Federica enjoys building relationship with people from all walks of life. “It’s like a chain”. She described. “Accustomed to a new city is a process, including learning English and Chinese.” Said Federica with her eyes glittering.
Federica, a "matchmaker" for Foshans investment projects
目前，斐德莉卡的主要工作是吸引外国企业到佛山来投资，她还会协助外企在佛山开展建厂、开分公司等商业活动。由于不少外企对于佛山知之甚少，她需要给他们讲解佛山作为制造大市的优势以及未来发展的前景。有时，为了获得项目洽谈的“最终答案”，她甚至需要专门飞到总公司进行谈判。在洽谈开始前，她总会先做好“功课”——市场调研和推广。“这些工作很基础，也非常重要。”在佛山一年半的时间里，斐德莉卡逐渐对佛山产业有了一定的认识和了解，佛山制造业的快速发展令她惊叹不已，她认为这是巨大的投资空间。
Right now, her main job is to attract international companies to invest in Foshan. For foreign companies who plan to relocate their branches or open a new one in Foshan, Federica’s job will be a great help. In the interview, she mentioned the great importance of directing potential companies to a better environment for foreign companies hardly know the situation here. She needs to explain the advantages and future prospect of Foshan to those who want to invest and even flies to other cities to do the negotiation with the heads if necessary. Before negotiation, she will do the marketing and promotion work of the project. “It is elementary, but it is very important.” Said Federica. After staying for one year and a half, Federica has familiarized herself with the industry in Foshan. She is also impressed by the fast development of manufacturing industry, which leaves room for investment.
Federica participated in some commercial activities
斐德莉卡向记者透露，一座意大利城市有意与佛山结好，未来两座城市之间将有更多往来交流。此外，她和团队正致力于与一家德国公司合作推进两个项目，分别是关于测试实验室和汽车零部件。“这次的合作更多关注的是高新科技”，她希望双方能早日确定各项细节并签订合同。
For the time being, an Italian city is going to be added to the list of Foshan’s friendly cities, according to Federica. There will be more exchanges between the two cities. In addition, two projects, one is about a testing lab and the other car spare parts with a German company are under negotiation. “It’s more about the high technology.” Said Federica. She hoped that the two sides could nail down the details and sign the contract soon.
为什么选择来佛山工作？斐德莉卡觉得，这是一个明智的选择。她之前曾三次来到中国，但是从未到过中国南方。“在佛山的生活比我想象中更好。” 她觉得佛山人很外向和友好，非常乐于做生意。“他们总有不同的法子，和我的性格一拍即合。”
When asked about the reason why choosing Foshan City, “it’s a good choice.” Mentioned Federica. Though she had been to China for 3 times, she has never been to South China. “Life in Foshan is better than I thought.” She thinks that people in Foshan are out-going and nice. She also finds that Foshan people are happy to do business. “They have different approaches, which really meet my personality.”
Federica gets interested in mahjong
如今，斐德莉卡称自己是“半个中国人”。她参加过佛山多种多样的民俗活动，如新年逛花街，龙舟赛以及三月三北帝诞。她特别提到精彩独特的叠滘龙舟比赛。比赛的各支龙舟队凭借高超的技术完成一系列高难度动作，其中包括穿过各种狭长的通道。丰富多彩的岭南文化让她着迷，第一次看粤剧的现场表演，她不由得赞叹其精致的服装。“虽然我听不懂广东话，但通过他们的动作我能看懂故事情节。”
She said herself a half Chinese now, taking part in all kinds of folk activities in Foshan such as Chinese New Year celebration, Dragon Boat Festival and the Birth of the North Emperor. In the conversation, Federica mentioned the special dragon boat races in Diejiao in which boats completed numerous difficult tasks including going through narrow canals. She also shared with us how she felt the first time watching Cantonese Opera. “It’s a live show, and the costumes are amazing. Though I know nothing about Cantonese, I really enjoyed the plot through their actions.”
Federica is writting her Chinese name with Chinese brush
与其他爱吃的“老外”一样，斐德莉卡极其喜欢粤菜，特别是点心。“真的！可以的话，我每天都会吃点心。”她介绍到，意大利人鲜少吃辣，而她却是“辣妹子”一枚，麻婆豆腐和麻辣烫都是她的心头好。“据我所知，顺德是世界美食之都，名副其实，这里太多好吃的了。”
Like other foreigners in Foshan, Federica was obsessed with Cantonese food, especially Dim Sum. “Literally, I will go to eat Dim Sum every day.” And she also developed her own taste for spicy food such as spicy Toufu and spicy hot pot. “I know that Shunde is the City of Gastronomy, and I think it lives up to it! There are so many delicacies to eat here.”
Federica enjoys her leisure time in Foshan
“佛山是一个非常独特的城市。”她尤其享受在夕阳下漫步南风古灶，微风拂面，余晖映照，仿佛穿越到500多年前的佛山。“我想我会选择留下来，因为我在这里过得很好。”斐德莉卡这样说。
"Foshan is very unique." She recalled her experience at Nanfeng Ancient Kiln where she ambled across the kiln at twilight, with breeze flowing over her cheeks. “I think I am going to stay as I am happy to be here.” She said at the end of the interview.
文：Karena & Jessica
图：受访者提供
编辑：Gary