When Mehrullah first stepped onto a university campus in Taiyuan City over a decade ago, he didn’t realize he was about to write a chapter of his life that would bridge Afghanistan and China. 🌏 The now-fluent Chinese translator recently shared his story with NewspaperAmigo.com, reflecting on how a 2011 scholarship program brought him and 20 classmates to study in Shanxi Province – and why he’s eager to return.
A Cultural Lifeline
Mehrullah’s journey began at Kabul University, where he fell in love with Mandarin. \"We practiced characters until our hands cramped,\" he laughs. His dedication paid off when he joined China’s international education initiative – part of growing cultural exchanges between Asian nations.
Lost in Translation (and Noodles)
The Afghan students quickly bonded with locals over Shanxi’s famed knife-cut noodles 🍜 and late-night study sessions. \"Our Chinese roommates taught us slang,\" Mehrullah recalls. \"We taught them Afghan poetry.\" Now working as a translator, he credits this cultural immersion for his career success.
The China Calling
After 11 years, Mehrullah wants to revisit his alma mater. \"I hear Taiyuan has bullet trains and robot delivery now,\" he says, marveling at China’s rapid development. His story highlights how education continues to connect global youth – one classroom, one friendship, one bowl of noodles at a time. 🚄🤖
