Amarjin: The Most Precious Years of My Life at TJU

“Six years have passed since I came to live and study at Tianjin University. The six years spent here are the most beautiful, most precious, and most memorable years of my life.” Amarjin, an undergraduate from Mongolia addressed the audience affectionately in fluent Chinese at the 2019 Tianjin University Commencement on behalf of 55 international undergraduates on July 2, 2019. They are part of more than 3000 graduating students.

“I’m so proud to be chosen to speak at the commencement. I have so many things to say, so many people to thank.” Amarjin said. She spent a week writing drafts and asked her teacher for advice. “I never imagined six years ago when I first set foot on the land of China, barely able to speak and understand Chinese that I would have been able to deliver a speech in Chinese. It was a perfect closure to my study here at TJU.” Amarjin couldn’t conceal her excitement after the address.

Amarjin spoke on behalf of international graduates at 2019 Commencement.

A girl that fell in love with Chinese

Coming to China has been Amarjin’s dream since she was a young girl. “I used to watch Chinese soap operas likePrincess PearlandStory of a Journey to the Westwhen I was a little girl.I liked them very much and always dreamed of learning Kungfu in China.” Amarjin decided to study Chinese when she entered college in Mongolia and after a year’s study, she applied for a Chinese Government Scholarship and grasped the opportunity to come to China. “I was thrilled to get the news that I could finally make it to China!” she exclaimed.

On arriving in China, Amarjin felt the urgent need to learn Chinese. “Chinese is very different from my mother tongue. It is a tonal language, difficult but very interesting.” Amarjin learnt about Pinyin (the Chinese Phonetic Alphabet), Chinese tones and very simple daily expressions in her first college year. But she confessed that she could barely communicate with Chinese people when she first arrived.

“I fell in love with Chinese characters after I studied Chinese for another year at TJU. We learnt from our teachers that each character bears a story within it. It is a combination of aesthetics and meaning. Chinese calligraphy is fascinating.” Amarjin said.

Amarjin performed a Mongolian dance during Tianjin University International Culture Festival.

A girl that fell in love with Chinese culture

Like many foreigners, Amarjin felt the culture shock most of which amused her.

“When Chinese people run into each other accidentally in the street, they may ask each other, ‘Did you have lunch (or breakfast, or supper, depending)?’ At first, I thought they were going to invite me to lunch and felt bewildered when they didn’t. Gradually, I got to know that it was just a way for Chinese people to say hello to each other as the English like to talk about weather. ” Amarjin laughed whenever she thought about the cultural differences. And all the people present at the commencement laughed when Amarjin said that “Now I get the idea that when people call you beautiful, it doesn’t mean they really think you are beautiful. It is just a way to address strangers merrily and politely; and that you have to bargain when you are buying things in the market.”

A girl that fell in love with the Chinese way of life

Amarjin plans to continue her study in architecture in China after she graduates from TJU. “I have applied to two universities in Shanghai in southern China. I want to experience something new. And I hope that I will be able to stay and live in China in the future.” Amarjin likes the way Chinese people live. “The young people here are really diligent. Take my classmates for example, they work really hard. It is very normal for them to stay up all night in the classroom, doing sketch homework. Can you imagine how surprised I was as a freshman when I first discovered how hard students pushed to achieve excellence in their studies?” Amarjin decided to follow suit. “I enjoyed staying up with them and finishing our work together. It gives a sense of fulfillment.”

Recalling the past six years, Amarjin had a keen feeling about the changes both she and China underwent.

The girl poses for a photo on Peiyang Square.

“For me, I became more open-minded and livelier. I used to be very shy, but now I have made friends from many countries. I think it is a great chance for international students to learn to get along with people from different countries and cultural backgrounds.” Amarjin said.

She also enjoyed the convenience brought by e-commerce in China. “Ali-pay, share economy, developing subway systems and WeChat... These new technologies keep popping up and make living in China really convenient.” She plans to find a job and stay in China after she finishes her master’s study.

“Thanks to the Belt and Road Initiative, now China and Mongolia are cooperating more and more. I wish to do my share to contribute to the development and cooperation of the two countries.” Amarjin said.

By Eva Yin

Editor: Doris Harrington