Pakistani intl student regards Xi'an as second hometown

This summer has been a fruitful season for Hu Yan (Chinese name), a Pakistani student studying in Xi'an, capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi province.

Hu Yan from Pakistan poses for a photo at Xi'an Shiyou University. [Photo/Xi'an Daily]

He graduated as the top student in the English-taught program for civil engineering at Xi'an Shiyou University and was recognized as an excellent graduate for the class of 2023.

Furthermore, he has been admitted to the master's program in bridge engineering at Chang'an University, and was awarded the Chinese Government Scholarship. In September, he will start a new chapter of his life at Chang'an University in the ancient city of Xi'an.

"Xi'an has a rich history, excellent universities, a variety of delicious food, and reasonable living costs. I really like Xi'an," Hu said.

In February 2019, Hu set foot in Xi'an. Before coming, he had learned a lot about Xi'an's culture and customs through videos.

"After being in Xi'an, I realized that it is even more vibrant and attractive than what I saw in the videos," he said.

Hu feels a sense of pride after he has been in Xi'an for more than four years. Because now, he has a broader range of life and richer experiences in Xi'an.

During his studies, Hu was the class monitor and the top student in his major. Besides academic work, he planned his life well as an international student. He regularly played badminton for exercise and often gathered with friends to have hometown cuisines. He also explored interesting places in Xi'an with classmates.

Since the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the economic and trade exchanges between China and the countries involved in the BRI have increased significantly. The increasing openness of Xi'an has also sparked Hu's desire to work here in the future.

"After completing my master's degree, I want to continue my studies in Xi'an and pursue a Ph.D. degree. Xi'an is like a second home to me." He said, "Currently, there are many Chinese companies in Pakistan. After graduation, I want to work in such a company, spending some time working in Pakistan and some time in China throughout the year. This way, I can live and work in Xi'an in a different way."

In Hu's view, Xi'an is a witness to a critical period of his life, and he hopes to continue growing with this beloved city.