China and me, five years from now

I developed my fascination for China as a child and when the opportunity arose for me to learn the Chinese language at school, I did not hesitate. Even when I was at school, I was heavily involved in developing long-term German Chinese relationships. As a founding member and organizer of the "Chinese Choir of the Burggymnasium Essen 伯乐高级文理中学中文合唱团", I have been part of the intercultural bridge between Germany and China together with my former classmates for more than six years. My greatest success in the choir was being able to sing in front of Madame Peng Liyuan, the wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, during her visit to our school. Through numerous appearances in China and Germany, intensive exchange with our partner school "Shanghai No. 2 High School" and the constant personal contact to Chinese professors and diplomats, we deepen the German Chinese relations of Generation Z. The intercultural exchange between schoolchildren and young students is essential for future relations between Germany and China. We can learn a lot from each other, both economically and culturally.

In addition to the Chinese language, the culture, society and history of China were an integral part of my studies in the two-subject bachelor's degree in "Economics" and "China Studies" at the University of Muenster. I specialized in the field of Chinese philosophy because I believe that if you want to understand the culture and society of a country, studying philosophy is an essential step.

During my studies abroad at Tongji University in Shanghai, I not only improved my Chinese significantly, but was also able to experience Chinese culture from an authentic angle. Through constant exchange with Chinese students, but also older locals, I was not only able to get to know exciting people, but also to better understand the Chinese mentality. I was enthusiastic about the hospitality of the Chinese, their interest in German culture and of course the Chinese cuisine. Especially at the end of my studies abroad, my Chinese and my cultural understanding were at a level that allowed me to communicate freely with locals and to immerse myself even deeper in Chinese culture. Another longer stay in China would give me the opportunity to build on this level, expand my linguistic and cultural knowledge and deepen German-Chinese relations on a private and professional level.

For the next years, I am planning to study at the Renmin University in Beijing. I hope to deepen my Chinese language abilities and my cultural understanding, make important career-relevant and personal acquaintances, and find new friends. I am confident that I will build further relationships with locals, but also with prospective German China experts, and be able to exchange ideas about Chinese culture and language as well as current, economic, and economic policy issues. My goal is to lay another building block for my career in German Chinese economic relations and thus make a further contribution to improving long-term German Chinese relations.

Thank you very much!
Eugen Mangazeev 满宏毅

My name is Eugen Mangazeev, I am a student from Germany and very passionate about China!

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