It is better to see something once for yourself than to hear
about it a hundred times, as an old Chinese saying goes.
A year of postgraduate study in Beijing Language and Culture
University (BLCU) gave Muntasir, 27 and from Sudan, a much clearer
picture of China than his original impression from kongfu films and
acrobatics shows.
He climbed the Great Wall and visited the Forbidden City to
learn more about Chinese history. He saw Chinese were working hard
everyday, which he believed to be a reason for its rapid economic
growth.
In his Chinese university, he learned language, literature,
culture and economics.
BLCU takes pride that it has arguably helped train more African
students than other colleges and universities in China.
The former "Higher Preparatory School for Foreign Students" was
founded in 1962 with the main task of teaching foreign students
Chinese language and culture.
Among its earliest students from abroad, there were only 11
Africans.
Over the past decades, the school has witnessed the smooth
development of Sino-African co-operation in education. The number
of African students now studying at BLCU has reached 162.
"I want to be an expert in analysis of China and provide
accurate information on its historical and economic development to
African and Arabian countries," said Muntasir.
Muntasir was a teaching assistant in a university in Sudan. So
far, about 20 Sudanese teachers have come to China to study
subjects such as Chinese and agriculture.
"Now there is a great shortage of Chinese teachers in Sudan as
more and more Sudanese choose to learn Chinese. So we are here to
improve our language ability," he said.
According to Muntasir, in the early 1990s, when he started to
learn Chinese, many people still did not understand why he chose to
study such a complex and difficult language.
Muntasir knew it well. More Chinese companies were coming in as
Sino-Sudanese relations developed fast, and he believed learning
Chinese was a route to good work.
After graduation from the university, Muntasir worked for a
Chinese oil company and a Chinese hospital in Sudan, which greatly
improved his Chinese ability.
Muntasir is paying great attention to the current China-Africa
forum. "Relations between China and Africa are mutually beneficial.
Africa is abundant in natural resources but lacks technology and
experience, which it can get from fast developing China," he
said.
Since 1973, a total of 4,142 African students from 42 countries
and regions have graduated from BLCU. They have made extensive
contributions in different walks of life at home.
The current students hope to follow suit.
Embracing the ambition of becoming an interpreter two years ago,
Bambou, 32, came all the way form Western Africa's Gabon to Beijing
to study Chinese at BLCU.
Serving in the foreign affairs department of Gabon's government
for five years, Bambou found that misunderstandings often occurred
due to a language barrier, as there was more frequent contact with
Chinese working in and visiting his country. He believed learning
Chinese could be a new opportunity for his career.
However, at the beginning, the difficulties of learning Chinese
went far beyond his expectations. He could barely understand and
talk to his roommates from other countries.
"At times, I wanted to quit and go home," he said.
But encouragement from classmates and teachers helped him get
through that painful stage. Now, though still not speaking Chinese
fluently, he has no difficulties swapping ideas with Chinese.
After making friends with more Chinese, he found that Chinese
and African people have a lot in common. "For example, we both
highly value our families and relatives," he said.
Bambou expressed concern over the loss of his own country's
culture. Despite getting independence from France in 1960, many
young people discarded their mother tongue and only speak
French.
Two days ago, Bambou, for the first time in his life, met the
president of Gabon, who hosted Gabonese students in Beijing during
his visit to the China-Africa Forum. He encouraged them to bring
Chinese economic development experiences back to Gabon.
(China Daily November 6, 2006)