My China story: Lahore to Beijing

How I got the chance to come to China

Younger students always have yearned for higher education which not only broadens their creative ability, but also gives rise to a passion for contributing to the world's growth and our social development, so younger students hunt for the platforms where they can step onto the stairs which can lead them to their destination. A lot of things happen in our life unplanned, and prove fruitful in leading us to achieve our life goals. I also had yearned for higher studies after receiving my undergraduate degree from a prestigious school in my home country.

Journey to Tsinghua

Attending top universities rich in educational knowledge, culture and civilization will always help us to build influential networks that encourages us to dive into a sea of opportunities. Top universities provide us with chances of socialization with other elite students. After my graduation, I was continuously in search of an opportunity to proceed with my higher education in one of the world's top ranking universities, where I could see diversity of culture and education. Finally, the time came when opportunity knocked at my door and I left behind other things and came to Tsinghua University, a world class institute and the university of my dreams. Being a student of Tsinghua University, my dream was becoming true, that was hard to believe for me, but it finally came true.

I never thought that I would have the opportunity to go China. I was lucky that that opportunity came and I arrived in a city called Qinhuangdao, where my journey in China started. At that time, I told one of my colleagues, whose name was Miao Wei and with whom I had most the friendly relations; he was surprised and there was a smile of happiness on his face and he was happy for success. The most interesting thing was that the city of Qinhuangdao is his hometown. He asked me to wait for him there and he said he would see me there when he returned on vacation. Later, he introduced his friend called Wu Liming, who was studying there in the same university and whom I met on campus. He was friendly, lively and an easy-going person and we become more familiar with each other and, while meeting his friend, I could feel his love for our friendship.It was the happy start of my journey in China. Everything was going smoothly and Miao Wei visited his hometown and I invited him to campus. We — Miao Wei, Wu Liming, myself and other friends — played basketball and then we had dinner together; it was cherished moment in my journey. The journey whose start was so unforgettable strengthened with time and nowadays we are like family and no matter where we stay, we always stay in contact. Distance never diminishes our relationship but makes it stronger like iron.

That is my pioneer story in China and during this journey I came across different unforgettable and spectacular stories and moments that left a pronounced impression in my life and made my life more beautiful.

How China and Tsinghua changed my life

Growing up in the neighbouring country to China and a country which has the friendliest relations with China, I wanted to open my horizons about Chinese culture, society and customs, and experience Chinese culture more deeply. Culture is shared, learned and integrated and it builds a person with values and beliefs, and also helps in building societies and a good nation. China has more diversity in its culture from North to South and from East to West. While staying at Tsinghua, I experienced the diversity of Chinese culture, society and customs, and also multinational cultural values and different kind of social, sports and educational activities which built a stronger person inside myself. I always maintain the rules of diligence and harmony which I also learnt from Tsinghua.

My social experience within China

I always have had a keen interest in learning new things about different cultures and values. I took part in different cultural activities in Tsinghua and even actively took part in social activities. Beyond the educational subjects, I also always put myself in the front line for social work contribution; I believe where I stay is like my home and I should put all my efforts towards the welfare and development of that society, no matter whether its contribution is big or small. At Tsinghua I joined the Tsinghua Red Cross Society where I work together with Chinese students and contribute towards my Tsinghua family; these are opportunities which provide a source of happiness and always make me a livelier person.

China's current growth in my eyes

Before coming to China, I just may dream about China's development and how developed China is. After coming to China, I could see the real developing China and everything here witnessed the development of China. It was my first experience of a foreign country and also here the world was quite different from my county. Skyscrapers, world class megacities connected by highways, and the world's largest and fastest railway network made me astonished and I could not stop myself from praising the efforts of Chinese leaders who make impossible things possible within a short period of time.

China's future speed of growth

China's investment in new and better technology, new machinery and infrastructure helped the country to reinforce its economic status in the whole world. China occupies a unique niche in the world economy, and this unique niche will be stronger as China is continuously focusing on new technology. China's open-door policy has spurred foreign investment and this is most effective way to link China with international markets. How China built a prosperous nation from a poor one is a unique example for the whole world and the world should learn from China. China is a fast-growing economy and will be a world IT and economic hub.

I am Muhammad Wasim Asim from Pakistan, currently a master's student at the School of Vehicle and Mobility of Tsinghua University. I finished my bachelor's in mechanical engineering from the University of Engineering and Technology Lahore in Pakistan. I have been living in China for almost five years. I am a fluent Chinese speaker, studied Chinese at Yanshan University Qinhuangdao.

The opinions expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of China Daily and China Daily website.