Discovering Connections: How China Became A Turkish Girl’s Second Home

For 19-year-old Nursena Burus, coming to China was more than just a chance to learn a new language—it was an opportunity to connect with a culture she had admired from afar. Hailing from the historic city of Manisa in western Turkey, near the Aegean coast, Nursena grew up surrounded by a rich tapestry of Turkish traditions. When she arrived in Tianjin, China, to study at Tianjin University on a six-month language program, she discovered not only the challenges of learning a new language but also a surprising sense of familiarity, a deep love for Chinese culture, and new insights into her own heritage.

A Leap of Faith: Choosing China Over Europe

Growing up, Nursena excelled academically, graduating third in her high school class of 500 students. Like many of her peers, she initially considered studying in Europe to improve her English. But her sister, who had previously studied artificial intelligence at China’s Xiamen University, encouraged her to explore China instead.

“My family and friends thought learning Chinese was impossible,” Nursena recalled with a laugh. “They said it’s the hardest language in the world. But my sister showed me pictures of her life in China—her friends, the festivals, the food—and I started to see it as more than just a place to study. It looked like an adventure.”

Nursena’s sister also highlighted how family-oriented Chinese culture is, something that deeply resonated with Nursena. “In Europe, life can feel more individualistic, but in China, like in Turkey, family is everything,” she explained.

Encouraged by her sister’s stories and the chance to experience a culture that valued traditions as much as her own, Nursena made her decision: she would trade the familiar for the unknown and head to China.

First Impressions: Festivity and Solitude

Nursena arrived in Beijing in February 2024, right before the Chinese New Year. As she stepped into the bustling capital, she was greeted by red lanterns swaying in the wind, intricate paper cuttings on windows, and vibrant couplets decorating doorways. “It felt magical,” she says. “Everywhere I went, the streets were filled with red—a color of celebration and good luck. It was a completely new experience for me.”But once she arrived at Tianjin University, where she would be studying Chinese, the festive atmosphere gave way to an eerie silence. “The campus was empty,” she recalls. “I kept thinking, ‘Where is everyone?’” It wasn’t until a dormitory staff member explained that Chinese people travel home to be with their families during the Spring Festival that Nursena understood.

This realization brought her a comforting sense of connection. “It reminded me of Ramadan Feast in Turkey, when we all go back to our hometowns to eat, pray, and celebrate with family. I loved how both cultures value family reunions during important holidays.”

Despite the initial loneliness, Nursena made the most of the quiet time by exploring Tianjin University’s stunning campus and immersing herself in her studies. “The university felt so peaceful during the holiday,” she recalls. “I loved walking around the campus, especially near the lake. It helped me feel calm and excited for the months ahead.”

A Journey Through Food and Friendship

As classes began in March, Nursena quickly discovered that Tianjin University was the perfect environment to challenge herself academically and culturally. “The teachers were so supportive,” she says. “They encouraged me to practice speaking without worrying about mistakes, and their passion for teaching made me want to work even harder.”Nursena also found that the university’s vibrant student life was the key to making friends and exploring Chinese culture. She regularly explored the university’s cafeterias and discovered many favorite foods, from the Jianbing Guozi (a local Tianjin food) in Cafeteria No. 4 to the Zhajiangmian (a famous Chinese noodle dish) in Cateteria No. 1 to Peking Duck in Cateteria No. 5. Her love for Chinese food soon became a running joke among her friends. “I’d post pictures of the dishes I tried, and my Chinese friends would ask me where to find these foods and tease me, saying, ‘Are you the Tianjin local, or am I?’”

It was through these common experiences that she met her best friend, Mei Qi, a Chinese graduate student at TJU. The two first crossed paths during the university’s Crabapple Blossom Festival, a cultural event that Nursena thoroughly enjoyed. “I was taking a group selfie with my friends, and Mei Qi was taking a selfie with her friend. Somehow, she ended up in our photo,” Nursena recalled with a laugh. That unexpected moment sparked a conversation between the two.

“We added each other on WeChat, and from that moment on, we became inseparable,” Nursena says. “Mei Qi is like the Turkish version of me. She introduced me to hot pot, taught me how to use chopsticks, and showed me all the best spots in Tianjin and Beijing.”

Together, they explored the Forbidden City, admired the autumn leaves in Tianjin local parks, and bonded over bowls of red bean shaved ice, a Chinese sweets. “She made Tianjin feel like home for me,” Nursena says warmly.

Cultural Discoveries: Finding Turkey in China

Through her experiences, Nursena began to notice striking similarities between Turkish and Chinese cultures. One of her most cherished memories was celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival. She learned to make Zongzi with her classmates and was delighted to discover that the festival coincided with her birthday. “It reminded me of Nevruz, a Turkish holiday that celebrates the arrival of spring,” she says. “Both festivals honor seasonal changes and foster a sense of community bonding.”

Another unforgettable moment came during a chance encounter on the subway. A friendly local woman invited Nursena to visit her family’s rural home in Tianjin’s Ji Xian county. Intrigued by the opportunity to see “the real China,” Nursena accepted the invitation.

In October, she spent a weekend in the countryside, picking hawthorn and chestnuts, eating farmhouse meals, and breathing in the crisp, clean air. “It was a very beautiful and peaceful place. People seem to quite enjoy their lives,” she recalls. The experience reminded her of her own family’s village near Manisa, where life is slower, simpler, and deeply connected to the land.

Reflections: Bridging Two Cultures

Living in China not only deepened Nursena’s understanding of Chinese culture but also gave her a renewed appreciation for her Turkish heritage. She was struck by how both cultures prioritize hospitality. “In China, people are so generous. They never let me pay for meals because I’m a guest. It’s just like Turkey, where we always welcome and take care of visitors,” she says.

At the same time, she noticed differences that revealed the unique character of each culture. For example, while Turkish families often end meals with desserts, Chinese meals focus more on savory flavors. And while Turkey still relies heavily on cash, China’s seamless digital payment systems amazed her. “I wish I could bring WeChat Pay and Taobao to Turkey,” she jokes.

As her time at Tianjin University came to an end, Nursena reflected on how much she had grown. She had passed the HSK 5 exam, made lifelong friends, and experienced the beauty of a culture both foreign and familiar. On her birthday, as she carried out the Nowruz practice and buried a wish bottle beside the Lake of Friendship on TJU campus , she hoped for one thing: to become a bridge between Turkey and China.

“China is my second home,” she says. “I’ve learned that despite our differences, we share so much—our love for family, our traditions, our hospitality. I want to build on that connection and show others that the world isn’t as different as it seems.”

For Nursena, her journey was never just about learning a language; it was about discovering a deeper sense of belonging in a world that feels a little smaller now.

By Eva Yin