Name: Raja Gulfraz Ali
Nationality: Pakistan
University: University of Science and Technology of China
Location: Anhui
On September 5, 2017 my feet touched the soil of China in order to run down my dream cum ambition of Masters degree and my terminus was University of Science and Technology China. I have been fortunate enough being an international student I was chosen to study in the world’s top-ranked university situated at Hefei Anhui. By the time when I reached Hefei it was almost night and that very first night I spent at the institute of Advance Technology. I was curious and extremely excited about multiple things including the people who live there, how would be the teachers, study patterns, new places and most particularly life perspective there.
First Six Months
IAT, which is basically an innovative research unit happened to locate at a scenic vicinity being among one of the most livable cities of China. This place was suitable for new-comers cross border students in terms of its environment. One barrier that we came across initially while interacting that people of this area could not understand or speak English language and we newbies had to interact with these Chinese people on daily basis and we were left with no choice but to learn Chinese Language.
What I got in IAT:
Keeping in view the dire need of learning Chinese Language, it was made part of our study course and USTC picked out this very place for teaching the above said in favorable atmosphere to the freshers. All the new comers found diverse methods of learning required language rapidly along with the Chinese language classes for their survival.
Chinese Friends
Nothing could have helped more in learning their native language than making native language speaking friends and this method helped me a lot. I made friends with Chinese students and their families. They used to invite me over meals and I rejoiced their company.
As we all international students of USTC batch 2017 were accommodated in IAT. So, it was a tremendous opportunity to interact with foreigner students across the world and I fully justified this opportunity by making friends from different nations.
A part from Chinese language, all international students were curious to know about Chinese culture. So, by way of taking Chinese culture classes I learnt a lot about the traditions and customs prevalent in that society, also, I participated in Chinese calligraphy workshop and cultural festival to gain knowledge Chinese culture in a sincere manner.
Along with studies and learning language, I also got an opportunity to visit Anhui Museum arranged by USTC for all the cross-national students. It was a great experience to see how ancient Chinese were living and what was their means of livelihood and what culture they carried before being the second superpower of the globe. It was an enormous learning opportunity.
USTC arranged Sino Foreign Cultural Exchange Festival to make foreign students feel at home and where they can celebrate their culture by of wearing cultural dresses, traditional dancing and presenting traditional dishes of their respective countries. Chinese female students also performed western dance on the stage along with other performances. I felt proud to present my cultural dress and dance on stage in front of Chinese and international students.
By February, 2018 we moved to USTC campus which is located at Wans hang and Jinzhou Lu main city of Hefei. After enjoying the perks at IAT life now it was the phase of enjoying USTC campus life.
As I was an employee of University of AJK Pakistan, so I deeply examined all teaching learning activities, techniques and campus management of USTC and also compared with UAJK management system.
I visited all five campuses (East, West, Mid, North, and South) of USTC. I was enthralled by the campus and class management, ISO administration and all other activities related to international students. Beauty of each and every campus inspired me to take some memorable camera shots. Being an international student I fully enjoyed all available facilities provided by USTC.
Sports Gala
Thanks to International College of USTC for provision of opportunity to participate in sports gala, it was such a power and energy show which motivated me as a student and as a teacher to carry on similar activities.
Exploring China with USTC
I wished to visit some other cities of China and again USTC came to rescue. For USTC international students of four universities 3 days trip of Hefei city was arranged. Our ISO teachers, photographer and tourist guide accompanied us to make this trip more memorable.
During these three days we consecutively visited many places. All visited place were eyes catching. places we also visited art school, botanical and flower garden, oil mill, museum and Chinese traditional medicine center and multiple others.
Glass Bridge
USTC fulfill my desire to visit glass bridge about that I only heard which was of paramount importance.
Using cable car to visit mountain was wonderful experience as I got to see beautiful places.
Exploring Hefei with Friends
My desire to explore China did not end here and I invited some of my Pakistani friends from Xian Jiaotong University. We visited some beautiful and historical places of Hefei.
Chinese People
I was impressed by Chinese people hospitality as during this visit many Chinese people warmly and wholeheartedly welcomed us.
I decided to complete this wonderful journey of exploring China with my family. So, I brought my family from Pakistan visited many places with them.
At the beginning Chinese dishes taste was alien to me but with the passage of time I realized some dishes are very tasty and I love them.
Finally, I graduated in 2019 and returned back to my hometown but still couldn’t forget days spent in China. Whenever my family sees any Chinese, we feel like they are our family. China becmae my second home. I love China and I love USTC.
