This undated photo shows Diana Zhaanbaeva, a 20-year-old Kyrgyz student at Tianjin University, during her visit to the Tientsin Eye Ferris wheel, one of the city's landmarks, in north China's Tianjin. (Xinhua)
TIANJIN, April 3 (Xinhua) -- Diana Zhaanbaeva, a 20-year-old Kyrgyz student at north China's Tianjin University, calls both Kyrgyzstan and China home -- a duality that shapes her identity and aspirations.
Her cross-cultural journey began in 2015 when she moved to Guiyang, capital of southwest China's Guizhou Province, at the age of 10 with her mother.
Suddenly overwhelmed by a completely foreign culture, she described her early days as "confusing but exciting." Instead of an international school, her mother put her into a local school for better Chinese learning.
Immersed in rigorous language studies, she memorized classical Chinese poems like Guan Ju and Yu Guangzhong's Nostalgia, which resonated deeply with her.
"Nostalgia is a stamp, a ticket. For me, it bridges two homelands," she reflected on the popular Chinese modern verse.
The most challenging task was writing Chinese compositions. But with determination and perseverance, her initial 100-word essays blossomed into 1,000-word compositions, earning top grades and fluency that allowed her to "feel half-Chinese."
Outside the campus, Zhaanbaeva's life embodies a blend of traditions of both cultures. During festivals, her table overflows with Kyrgyz dishes like Beshbarmak and pilaf alongside Chinese dumplings and steamed buns.
"Both Kyrgyzstan and China value family and togetherness. Sharing food and stories during festivals is something both cultures cherish," she said. This cultural fusion has also fueled her role as a bridge -- a student who guides newcomers through WeChat pay, Mandarin basics, and travel tips.
After graduation from high school, she was enrolled in Tianjin University, where software engineering, her major and passion, symbolizes a pathway to impact. "Technology reshapes our world. I want to contribute to Sino-Kyrgyz collaboration in this field," she said.
Beyond academics, Zhaanbaeva's heart beats for cross-border progress. The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project thrilled her. "It connects my two homes, boosting trade and communication," she said.
Similarly, she eagerly anticipated the upcoming 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Tianjin, viewing it as a catalyst for global partnerships.
"Kyrgyzstan is a hospitable country, while China is rapidly advancing. Together, they can unlock opportunities for youth in tech, ecology, and agriculture," she said. "I want to be a bridge, linking Kyrgyzstan, China, and beyond."
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