When the young man stands before you, you understand why one of his teachers recommended the Chinese name Wangzi (王子），meaning “a prince” in English to him. GURDOV GUVANCH, a young Turkman, is currently a junior studying at Tianjin University’s School of Marine Science and Technology.
As his Chinese name indicates, he is handsome, detached and with a touch of melancholy. But when he beams at you, your world then seems lighted up with bright sunshine.
GUVANCH just finished shooting a program for China Global Television Network (CGTN). “It’s a series of videos picturing the life of foreigners living in China.” GUVANCH was both excited and a little bit worried about the shooting when CGTN first contacted him. “I’m glad that I can have the opportunity to share my story at China on an international level with people from so many countries. At the same time, I’m a little bit agitated because I kind of live a normal life with no big deeds or achievements. I’m not sure whether I am good enough to epitomize young men like me studying in China.” He was assured by his teachers and friends. “We see a young man’s growth and development in him and his life and study experience in China surely will shed light on anyone who wants to pursue their dreams in China,” said one of his teachers.
As a quick and dedicated learner, GUVANCH has a good academic record all the way from elementary school to high school and had planned to study abroad at a very young age. “Initially, I thought about going to the Republic of Belarus where some of my relatives are living.” It seemed an easy choice as GUVANCH speaks very good Russian and would encounter fewer culture shock and language barriers if he had chosen to go there. But then he got interested in China.
“My cousin helped me make the decision. One of his friends was studying in China then and recommended strongly for me to follow suit. He told us China is developing very fast and offers a lot of opportunities. This combined with the news about China we heard on the national television everyday, aroused my interest,” said GUVANCH. With his father’s support, he applied to study in China after graduating from high school.
He spent one year at Shanxi University for language study and then applied for undergraduate study at Tianjin University with Chinese government scholarship.
“I like my university very much. My teachers are kind, responsible and very helpful. Whenever we encounter some difficulties, we always have some one to turn to for help.” He recalled the first year he was here at TJU, “There were only 15 students in a class so the teacher could actually attend to each and every student’s needs and give us customized guidance. So I made huge progress during that year’s study in Chinese language learning, which enabled me to catch up with my Chinese classmates in later undergraduate study.”
Dr. Wang Chenxu taught marine meteorological observation and he had a deep impression of GUVANCH. “A very hardworking and honest student. He did not ease up his study during the pandemic when he couldn’t come to the school to have classes. He did a good job in the examination which quite impressed me.”
Having stayed in China for almost five years, GUVANCH considered himself “a half Chinese”, “only without an ID card, as my friends put it,” he joked.
He owed this to many of his Chinese friends. “I have many Chinese friends, you know, and they helped me a lot and made me feel at home in China.” As a member of the university’s volleyball team, GUVANCH gave credit to the sport for friendship building. “I got to know most my friends through playing volleyball together. It’s a good way to strike up friendship.”
In his spare time, GUVANCH took part time job doing modeling and acting as a walker-on. He once cast in the Chinese blockbuster Leap and several other films. “It’s very interesting experience. I had the opportunity to learn more about China, its people and its culture.” He also made a bosom friend doing the same part time job. “I went to his home to spend the Chinese New Year and was taken very good care of. I’m very grateful.”
GUVANCH loves visiting the local markets and got quite a few acquaintances there, “Da Ye and Da Ma (Chinese versions for elder people) were very nice to me. They praise me for my good oral Chinese and greet me warmly every time I meet them.”
He also had a clear idea about his future. “My experience here endows me with a new perspective of seeing the world and getting to know myself better. That makes me constantly thinking about my future development. I’ve decided to continue my study in China, but in a different direction.” He intends to shift to architecture for his graduate studies, “One thing I learn from China’s development is that infrastructure construction plays an important role. I think that applies to my country, too.”
Walking in the streets and alleys in Tianjin, amidst the hustle and bustle of people, GUVANCH is deeply charmed with earthly life in China which also nurtures his dream of finding his life “roses”.
By Eva Yin
