Becoming Singaporean: From young boy growing up in rural Chinese town to raising a family in Singapore, Lifestyle News

August 4, 2024

The story of migration often begins with uncertainty and ends with the quiet triumph of belonging. For Bao Shang Ze, known publicly as Bunz, this journey started in the rural landscapes of Wenzhou, China, where life moved at a gentle pace, shaped by family, nature and simplicity. At 13, his world shifted dramatically when his father announced the family would move to Singapore—a country he could barely locate on a map. What followed was a profound personal transformation, marked by language struggles, cultural adjustment and the slow, steady process of calling a new place home. Today, as a Singaporean citizen raising his own family, Bunz reflects on what it means to build roots in a foreign land and how safety, stability and acceptance became the foundation of his new identity.

Early Life in Wenzhou: Simplicity and Tradition

Bunz’s childhood in Wenzhou, a city in China’s Zhejiang province, was defined by close-knit community living and a deep connection to the natural world. Surrounded by mountains and rivers, his hometown was small enough that everyone knew each other, creating a sense of security and familiarity. Entertainment came from black-and-white television and outdoor adventures—catching grasshoppers in fields, fishing in streams and playing with mud. These simple joys shaped his early years, long before the internet arrived or global aspirations took hold. Raised by his educator grandparents, Bunz initially expected to follow in their footsteps, never imagining a life beyond the borders of his hometown. Yet even then, he recognised that overseas travel was a rare privilege, accessible to only a few in his community.

The Shock of Relocation: Arriving in Singapore

The year 2000 marked a turning point when Bunz’s father, already working as a software engineer in Singapore, decided to bring his wife and son to join him permanently. The news came as a complete surprise to the young teenager, who admitted having no idea where Singapore was located. The emotional weight of leaving behind grandparents, friends and the only life he had known triggered fear and anxiety. Upon arrival, the contrast between his quiet rural upbringing and Singapore’s urban energy was stark. He described the shift as moving from a 'kampung to a very developed city,' marvelling at the sheer volume of cars on roads—a sight rarely seen in Wenzhou. With no access to Google or easy information, his only prior impressions of Singapore came from stamps or photos sent by his father, making the reality of city life even more overwhelming.

Overcoming the Language Barrier: A Teenager’s Struggle

Perhaps the most immediate challenge Bunz faced was his limited grasp of English, which made everyday interactions daunting. Simple tasks like ordering food became ordeals, and he often chose to stay home to avoid the stress of miscommunication. He described feeling 'very nervous' in social settings, acutely aware of his linguistic shortcomings. To address this, he enrolled in lessons at the British Council, where his English improved gradually. However, secondary school proved especially difficult during the first two years, as he struggled to connect with peers. Determined not to isolate himself within the Chinese community, Bunz made a conscious effort to engage with Malay and Indian classmates, even when speaking in broken English. His mindset was simple: 'Just try.' This perseverance laid the groundwork for his gradual integration into Singaporean society.

Finding Identity: Between Two Worlds

Despite external signs of adaptation—being appointed prefect and participating in Outward Bound Singapore—Bunz internally wrestled with a sense of divided identity. When his father applied for Singapore citizenship, he admitted feeling uncertain about his own path forward. The question of belonging lingered, accompanied by bouts of homesickness and the persistent feeling of being an outsider. However, at age 16, the decision to pursue citizenship became clear, not through grand realisation, but through the accumulation of shared experiences with his Singaporean friends. These connections helped him bridge the gap between his past and present, allowing him to embrace a Singaporean identity without erasing his roots. Twenty-one years later, he views that choice as one of his most affirming decisions.

Building a Life: Safety, Stability and Family

Today, as a 37-year-old singer, producer and actor, Bunz has not only secured Singaporean citizenship but also built a family life rooted in the values he now associates with his adopted home. He describes Singapore in three words: secure, safe and stable—qualities that resonate deeply now that he is a father to two Singaporean daughters, aged five and ten. His wife, who is Taiwanese, shares in this life, and together they raise their children with the confidence that comes from living in a society where personal safety is taken for granted. He expresses no concern when his girls head to the local playground, a peace of mind he attributes to Singapore’s consistent safety standards. For Bunz, home is no longer just a place of origin but a refuge—a space where one feels accepted, protected and at ease. In raising his children here, he has extended that sense of belonging to the next generation.

What this means

Bunz’s journey from a quiet Chinese village to a thriving family life in Singapore offers a powerful narrative about the nature of home and belonging. It reminds us that migration is not merely a change of address, but a deeply personal process of adaptation, resilience and identity formation. His story underscores the importance of patience—both in learning a new language and in allowing oneself to feel at ease in an unfamiliar culture. More than that, it highlights how safety, stability and acceptance are not just desirable traits in a society, but essential foundations for building a life and raising a family. In choosing to make Singapore his home, Bunz did not leave his past behind; instead, he carried it forward, enriching his new identity with the values of his upbringing while embracing the opportunities of his adopted nation. His experience stands as a testament to the quiet courage it takes to begin again—and the profound reward of finding, years later, that you have truly arrived.

Originally reported by asiaone.com. Adapted for our readers with AI assistance.