The first experience of studying at a Chinese University

We remind that a graduate student of Omsk State Agrarian University, and currently a post-graduate student Aset Madiev has received a Chinese Government Scholarship to study at the North-Western A&F University in Yangling, China. Aset shares his first impressions with the students of Omsk SAU.

"Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, my learning at the North-Western A&F University (NWAFU) is conducted distantly. Due to the specifics of the study program (1+2), before completing my main education, I have one year to explore Chinese culture and learn Chinese. This is what I am currently doing.

The learning takes place on the platform of Chinese apps such as WeChat and DingTalk. These apps are very easy to use and provide a wide range of possibilities. At the moment, I have only one lesson of Chinese language, which starts at 9:50 Beijing time (7:50 Omsk time) and lasts two and a half hours. So that we don't get tired, we take a 10-minutes break after every 45 minutes of the lessons. Sometimes, during breaks or before the classes, we do exercises using the qigong technique, which includes a set of breathing exercises. Our teacher says that it helps to increase productivity, but I don't notice any results yet, maybe in a couple of months it will change.

We are taught Chinese by a highly qualified native speaker with a Ph. D. in philology, Ms. Ge Li Qin. Every day she sends us videos about China, introduces us to the traditions and culture of the Celestial Empire, which is very motivating in learning.

The Chinese language is very beautiful and is one of the oldest existing languages in the world. It is very difficult for me to express how sweet-sounding the language is. Chinese characters are particularly difficult to learn, and as a person who has never met them before, it is very difficult for me to remember them, much less write them. But after a month of studying, I already know the basic structures of the Chinese language, I can tell a little about myself, and so on.

One of the interesting facts is that all foreign students are given Chinese names, for example, mine is Tau Chen. I still don't understand what criteria are used to form a name, but I will find it out.

In principle, the distance learning is similar to ours, I also have homework and attend lectures, but a distinctive feature of Chinese distance learning is that every lesson is recorded. This is a very useful feature. It allows me, if necessary, to download and view the required material again.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to remind students of Omsk State Agrarian University that they have a great number of opportunities to continue their education at a foreign University, all they need is to contact the International relations department of our University. I would also like to thank the team of the International Department for the opportunity to reach the international level, that they gave me."

Consultations on participation in international programs can be obtained at the address Institutskaya Ploshchad 1, offices 403, 429. Our phone number: 65-10-72, email: omgau.int@mail.ru.
We remind you that up-to-date information about international programs for students and teachers is published in our VK group.