"Studying in China has been my dream since I was 16 years old, and after three years of hard work, I finally made it to Tianjin in 2023," said Raina Chareese Luke, who hails from Georgia, U.S., and is currently enrolled in the Chinese Language Program at Tianjin University (TJU).

　　Luke knew little about China or Chinese until her second year of middle school. She is very grateful to her Chinese teacher and still keeps in touch with her to this day. "She opened up a new world for me," Luke said.

　　It is often said that interest is the best teacher. "The more I learn about China, the more fascinated I become with Chinese culture. The way people behave and their mindsets are very different from our own, but that's what the world should be like—colorful and inclusive," she said.

　　Luke's study of Chinese broke off for a while in high school, when it was closed due to the pandemic. "In 2021, soon after school resumed, I picked up [my] Chinese studies again and realized how happy I was to do it," she said. It was at that time that she made up her mind to study in China.

　　Eventually, Luke applied to TJU and was accepted. "For me, TJU has two very appealing aspects. One is its old-fashioned campus, which fulfills my expectations of the university in China, and the other is the professionalism shown by TJU admission counselors during my application process. They responded [to] my queries very quickly."

　　A new world that she has long dreamed about unfolded before Luke's eyes the moment she set foot in China in September 2023.

　　She had a hard time adjusting to an international student's life on campus at first. However, she gradually became accustomed to China's well-established electronic payment system and began to appreciate the convenience it provided. "See my boots? I bought them on Taobao. They are warm and stylish. What a deal!" Luke exclaimed joyfully.

　　Her life at TJU is busy and fulfilling. "Studying is my first priority. The Chinese language program I'm taking is for only one semester, so every day counts," she said. She also feels inspired by her Chinese friends, from whom she gained a firsthand appreciation for the diligence of Chinese people.

　　In addition to her studies, Luke actively seeks opportunities for immersive cultural experiences in China. She is particularly fond of traditional Chinese clothing, especially the qipao, also known as cheongsam, and Han-style clothing.

　　Luke also has a keen interest in Chinese history. "When you think about the 5,000 years of history and all those dynasties, each distinct from the other, it's very fascinating." She has watched videos and documentaries about Chinese history and has discovered that her favorite Chinese dynasties are the Zhou dynasty and the Song dynasty.

　　The diverse range of university events adds another layer of colour to Luke's life. "Our university provides us with plenty of opportunities to establish connections with people through various student communities and activities.

　　As the semester draws to a close, Luke's language study program is also wrapping up. She plans to return to her hometown. "But I will come back to China for my undergraduate studies," said Luke, adding that, "I hope to somehow work in China someday after graduation."

　　Her faith in her future in China was greatly boosted after she learned about the Chinese government's plan to invite 50,000 American teenagers to come to China for exchange and study in the next five years. "Now the opportunity to build relationships with China is growing for American students. I am so glad to witness this. Education is a very important value that can deepen the relationship between the U.S. and China. I believe that ordinary people on both sides want to see an improved relationship between the two countries."

　　As the time for leaving China approaches, Luke cherishes her remaining days at TJU even more. She is eager to share her experience as an international student studying in China. Luke is determined to share what she has learned about China with her friends and community back home. "My goal is to promote a better understanding of Chinese education and its unique features," said Luke.

　　This article is contributed by TJU.