Belarusian Student Ekaterina Kaligaeva: Chinese Language Expands My World

With her petite figure and bright eyes, Ekaterina Kaligaeva always wears a sweet smile when she speaks. Her ability to effortlessly switch between Russian and Chinese is also impressive. Whether it's in the fields of humanities or natural sciences, she excels in translation.

With Su Xiaoxiao being her Chinese name, Ekaterina Kaligaeva was born into a family of diplomats as well as language and literature enthusiasts in Minsk, Belarus. Both of her parents are proficient in foreign languages. And encouraged by them, she chose to study Chinese in junior high school. Now, she has been learning Chinese for a full decade.

Over the years, Chinese language has accompanied her from Belarus to China, through her studies, daily life, and various career explorations. She exclaimed, "Chinese language has indeed opened up a wider world for me!"

Bond with Chinese Language, Deep Affection for China

Under the enlightenment of her parents, she started learning Chinese in middle school. In 2015, she represented Belarus to attend a Chinese language summer camp in Beijing. The first encounter with China that summer left a deep impression on 18-year-old Ekaterina Kaligaeva. After various visits and learning experiences, her interest in Chinese language and culture grew stronger.

During high school, she participated in the "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students and achieved outstanding results, earning herself a scholarship. This also helped her to secure admission to the Confucius Institute program, marking the beginning of her academic journey in China. At Tsinghua University, she realized her first dream by studying journalism. She had aspired to become a journalist during senior high school, but later discovered that being a host was more suitable for her outgoing personality.

"As an international student, I felt somewhat lost when I first arrived in Beijing. During the initial period of my university years, I felt a heavy burden inside as my foundation in Chinese language was not as solid. At Tsinghua University, while improving my Chinese proficiency, I also had to take several additional courses, leading to significant academic pressure. For my curriculum, I had to study journalism-related courses and compulsory courses such as advanced mathematics, Chinese, English, and even some courses taught in Russian." She expressed.

Upon arriving in Beijing, she felt a strong sense of homesickness and had to alleviate this feeling by video chatting with her parents on her phone and sometimes cried alone before going to bed. "As an 18-year-old, I felt both unfamiliar and curious about this international metropolis called Beijing. From the sense of loneliness that I felt when I first arrived in Beijing to the fact that Beijing has become my second home four years later, I must admit that I am very grateful to my classmates and teachers at Tsinghua University for guiding me and giving me a lot of warmth. They are my mentors in life and my dear friends. This city is filled with my memories and has witnessed my growth."

Now, she continues her pursuit of a master's degree in China Studies at Peking University. With great excitement, she shares that her dream is to become a host fluent in both Chinese and Russian after graduation or to work at the embassy, dedicating herself to promoting cultural exchanges and integration between the two countries.

Experience the Charm of China, Conveying the Friendship Between the Two Countries

During her study in China, as her popularity grew, Ekaterina Kaligaeva also became a short video blogger. She often shares language and cultural knowledge as well as her experiences in China on social media, telling the stories of China and Belarus in a way that appeals to young people.

"I have many friends studying in different countries around the world, but only in China do schools take us to experience the country. For example, in May this year, I went to Gansu. Peking University organized an event called 'Knowing China, Meeting Gansu'. We spent six days visiting various places in Gansu, learning about the Hexi Corridor and its role in the Belt and Road Initiative. I found it very fascinating because I could travel, learn, and also gain insights about China with my teachers and classmates, truly understanding and experiencing China." When talking about this study tour, she fondly recalled the unique charm of Northwestern China and the warmth of the Chinese people she had encountered along the way.

"I know that only China provides such a platform for its students to visit every corner of the country, taste all kinds of food, and truly engage in study tours. More importantly, China is like a second home to me. I haven't been able to go back home in the past few years, during the Spring Festival, my mentor would invite me and a few classmates who stayed at school to his home to make dumplings and watch the Spring Festival Gala. It's always lively and joyful." She happily expressed that all of this made her feel a sense of belonging and a feeling of being at home. "At first, I had to buy cutlery online, but now I can skillfully use chopsticks and have some understanding of both northern and southern cuisines."

The year 2023 marks the tenth anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative. She said that as a student from Belarus, she has deeply felt the impact of this initiative over the past ten years.

"As a Belarusian student, I figure that we have benefited from many excellent policies between our two countries, such as entrepreneurship programs, study abroad programs, and economic cooperation projects. This time when I returned to my hometown, Minsk, I found that many of my friends and graduates from my school are working in Chinese companies, having the opportunity to travel to China, and study in China. Similarly, the Belt and Road Initiative has also brought many Chinese students to participate in cooperative programs between Chinese and Belarusian schools, all of which are supported by various scholarships." She said that what impressed her the most was that in December 2021, she hosted the China-Belarus Youth Storytelling Event on the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. "Through this event, many Belarusian and Chinese youths shared their stories, promoting friendship between the two countries. There are many more significant moments like this."

Nowadays, economic and cultural exchanges between China and Belarus are still on the rise. Besides learning Chinese, she actively recommends high-quality Belarusian products such as milk powder, chocolate, and meat products to her Chinese friends. "As young people, we should play to our strengths in our respective fields. I believe that young people from both countries can have great opportunities for development within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. Furthermore, as the young, we become bridges between the two countries in terms of cultural and economic exchanges, fostering greater mutual understanding, love, and enduring friendship between the people of both countries."

(Author: Xiong Xu, Deng Jie, Huangfu Wanli, Zhu Hong, Wang Zhen)