Hot pot is very popular no matter in hot summer or cold winter in China. It has a history of over 1, 000 years and until now, it is still the most popular dish for social or family gathering. People put a metal pot in the middle of a dining table, and while the water in the pot is boiling（沸腾）,   ingredients are put into it and cooked in the pot. They are usually thinly sliced beef, pork, chicken, lamb, leaf vegetables, tofu and seafood. Many Chinese people like eating hot pot. Liu Yang is one of them.

Liu Yang went to university in England. Three days ago, he arrived there. He had three days of hamburgers, sandwiches and potatoes. Yesterday he was very excited when he heard that there was going to be a meal of hotpot to welcome the new students.

He went into the room and sat next to an American girl. To his surprise, he saw potatoes and bread in front of him. Where was the hot pot?

When the American girl found that Liu Yang was very surprised, she made an introduction to him that hotpot is not hot pot. China has hot pot in two words but English hotpot is written in one word. Hotpot is made with meat, potatoes and onions. People put them into the oven all day in a heavy pot and over a low heat. It is easy to cook.

Hotpot tastes fine. But Liu Yang still misses hot pot, two words!

Ever since I came to China, I sometimes eat things I would never have eaten at home in the UK. Some of them I would call “strange” or even “scary”!

I remember when I first ate Sichuan hotpot in China, I felt like my mouth was on fire! But the most surprising part was when a friend wanted me to eat rabbit head! I was shocked when I saw it. When I looked at it, I remembered my pet rabbit when I was a child!

But I didn’t want to be rude(无礼的), so I tried some. It wasn’t bad although it was too spicy(辣的) for me. I was told that rabbit head is one of the most popular snacks in Sichuan. A 2016 report said that Sichuan people ate 300 million rabbits that year! That’s amazing! The next “adventurous(新奇的)” food I tried in China was fried scorpion(蝎子). I can’t think of any food like this in the UK. And scorpions are really rare in the UK because it’s too cold. The scorpion I had was for a crispy snack. As I swallowed(吞咽) it and could feel its pointy(尖的) tail, I kept thinking—aren’t scorpions poisonous(有毒的)?! It turns out that after being fried, scorpions are not poisonous, as long as you don’t eat too much of them.

I wonder what my friends will want me to eat next time. But trying things from other cultures and stepping out of your comfort zone(舒适区) can really help you get on in a different country and enjoy the experience.

【小题1】 or experience culture shock when living in a foreign country. The important thing to remember is that this only happens from time to time and lasts for a very short period of time. By adapting (适应) to a foreign culture, you can get used to the new life and develop meaningful relationships with those around you.

【小题2】 . Possibly, you find that some people here have strange behavior, and even are not polite, but you must not use the rules in your countries to judge. You can notice their habits. 【小题3】. At this time, you need a strong ability to accept new things.

Second, you should keep in touch with other Chinese students. This makes you have a sense of belonging and your loneliness becomes less.【小题4】. Do not forget all the happy things in a new country. Like this, you can keep happy and not easily become sad. If life is full of hope, then we can solve many problems.

Finally, we should carry out or develop hobbies, actively take part in after-school activities and meet other students or local people. 【小题5】. They can also develop a sense of understanding between you and local students. After you know about the local life, you will find the foreign culture is not hard to learn about.