(A group photo of the sinologists and their tutors)

“I came here to study more about people-to-people exchanges between Kenya and China. I want to know Chinese tourists’ impression on Kenya and what Kenyan guides think of Chinese people,” said Ruth Njeri Wangui, who has just begun her journey of research in China with the other 36 sinologists from all over the world.

(Ruth tells her China story.)

Ruth and her fellow scholars are participants in the 2019 Visiting Program for Young Sinologists, a program designed to support overseas young sinologists (academics who study China) in carrying out Chinese studies and promoting exchanges between China and other countries.

At the program’s opening ceremony held in Shanghai on June 17, the sinologists shared their stories of China with the audience and had one-on-one meetings with their Chinese tutors.

As a lecturer at the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi, Ruth said she had many students interested in China. “Many people in Kenya want to learn Chinese, as mastering Mandarin can give them more job opportunities.” However, she also found there are some misunderstandings between Chinese and African people. “That’s why I came here to do research on cultural and people-to-people exchanges. I want to serve as a bridge to promote the mutual understanding between the two peoples,” she added. In her speech, Ruth also shared her special connection with Shanghai, the place where she met her future husband at the 2010 World Expo. Now, the couple lives happily in Kenya with a daughter and a son.

(Liana Jorjoliani from Georgia and her tutor)

Maja Klaudia Korbecka from Poland is a fan of Chinese movies, especially those set in modern Shanghai. At the age of 23, she had a chance to study Mandarin at Shanghai University, which also availed her of opportunities to learn about the city’s diverse culture and architectural legacy. “Shanghai gives me a feeling of familiarity. It reminds me of my childhood.”

Hailing from Afghanistan, Wahidullah Halimy is a lecturer at the Confucius Institute in Kabul University. “There are many commonalities between Afghanistan and China. The Chinese model of development is worth learning.” Therefore, going to China and learning Chinese has always been his dream, as he aspires to use what he learns from China to help develop his country and bring the two peoples closer for a prosperous future. In 2011, he made his first trip to China. While impressed by the speed of China’s development and the people’s hospitality and diligence, he also maintains a long-term friendship with a Chinese friend.

Working at the Council for the Promotion of Colombian-Chinese Relations, Riano Rodriguez Danilo Andres from Columbia first learned about Chinese culture through a Tai Chi master in his hometown. Since then, he has been curious about traditional Chinese philosophy. With a humble heart, he joined the visiting program this year to learn more about Chinese language and culture. As he said, “Personally, I want to make contributions to strengthening the relations between Columbia and China through my research and work, encourage more of my countrymen to discover China, and inspire more Chinese to explore Columbia.”

(Danilo Andres tells his China story.)

(Orsolya Talárovich from Hungary talks with her tutor)

In the next three weeks, the scholars will conduct three weeks of study and field research, to get a first-hand experience of the authentic China.