Margarita Wen, G11, RDF International School

I prefer the laid-back life in the countryside to the hustle and bustle of city life. I will never forget the fresh air and beautiful scenery in the countryside, which helps me calm down and relax.

During my winter vacation, I went back to my hometown, a sparsely-populated area with vast farmlands. There I could breathe fresh air and enjoy the blue sky every day. When I was bored, I could go play in the fields with my cousins and help my grandmother pull weeds out of the vegetable garden. These fun activities got me in touch with nature. During the day, the fields looked like a sea of gold under the sun. At night, the sky was bright with the moon and stars.

These natural scenes are not easy to come by in the city. Besides, people in rural areas have a closer bond with others in the same community, and are ready to share their harvest with their neighbors in their tight-knit community.

The natural environment and lifestyle in the countryside is very different from that of the city.

Despite the convenient transportation, big shopping malls and other facilities in the city, there is always a lack of social connection and emotional bond between people, who may feel lonely from time to time.

People living in the city may feel gloomy and depressed sometimes, a feeling seldom experienced by those living in the countryside.

The city and the countryside each have their own advantages and downsides.

As for me, I prefer country life and sometimes feel like a trapped beast in the city, longing to get away from stressfully tight schedules and demanding learning tasks at school. In the countryside, I always feel relaxed. It’s great to be able to enjoy the breeze and watch the sunrise and sunset.