Buhigiro skates on the campus of Beijing Jiaotong University, Haidian district, Beijing. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Buhigiro, a Rwandan Beijing Jiaotong University (BJTU) student, has spent two years in China. In 2019, during a short-term study visit to China supported by the Ministry of Commerce, he was struck by the modernity of Beijing and its hardworking citizens. 

"Back in my hometown in Rwanda, when a Chinese company called China Road & Bridge Corporation was building an infrastructure project, I was impressed by its advanced technologies. Then I started researching China and its fast development", said Buhigiro, discussing his decision to come to China. Ultimately, he pursued a master's degree in science in China. 

Buhigiro (M) hangs out with his friends and classmates at Beihai Park, Xicheng district, Beijing. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

"China is a hospitable country in my eyes. I have received a lot of help whenever I have encountered any problems, whether related to my studies or daily life," Buhigiro said. "I have already made many friends here."

Ftwi Awet Halefom, a Ph.D. candidate majoring in civil engineering at BJTU, is also an international student and a friend of Buhigiro. He has been studying in China for four years now.

Awet attends a field study in Changsha, Hunan province. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Having previously worked with a Chinese company on Ethiopia's railway network, Awet learned from his Chinese colleagues about the state-of-the-art railway technologies and transformation systems in China, which inspired him to come to China to study. 

"China is a major responsible country," remarked Awet. "The pandemic has been tough, but I appreciate the government's policy to protect people."

"I have a positive image of China because it is one of the strongest countries in the world. Chinese researchers have established several analysis models and performed systematic studies on the dynamic response of modern train-bridge interaction systems, achieving remarkable results for actual engineering projects", added Awet.

Increasing educational exchanges and cooperation between China and other countries has led to more international students coming to China to study.

With the "Belt and Road" initiative, there are more Chinese projects in Africa now. Buhigiro and Awet hope that they can participate in the initiative with the advanced knowledge they have acquired at the university when they return to their hometowns.

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