It is better to see something once for yourself than to hear about it a hundred times, as an old Chinese saying goes.

 

A year of postgraduate study in Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) gave Muntasir, 27 and from Sudan, a much clearer picture of China than his original impression from kongfu films and acrobatics shows.

 

He climbed the Great Wall and visited the Forbidden City to learn more about Chinese history. He saw Chinese were working hard everyday, which he believed to be a reason for its rapid economic growth.

 

In his Chinese university, he learned language, literature, culture and economics.

 

BLCU takes pride that it has arguably helped train more African students than other colleges and universities in China.

 

The former "Higher Preparatory School for Foreign Students" was founded in 1962 with the main task of teaching foreign students Chinese language and culture.

 

Among its earliest students from abroad, there were only 11 Africans.

 

Over the past decades, the school has witnessed the smooth development of Sino-African co-operation in education. The number of African students now studying at BLCU has reached 162.

 

"I want to be an expert in analysis of China and provide accurate information on its historical and economic development to African and Arabian countries," said Muntasir.

 

Muntasir was a teaching assistant in a university in Sudan. So far, about 20 Sudanese teachers have come to China to study subjects such as Chinese and agriculture.

 

"Now there is a great shortage of Chinese teachers in Sudan as more and more Sudanese choose to learn Chinese. So we are here to improve our language ability," he said.

 

According to Muntasir, in the early 1990s, when he started to learn Chinese, many people still did not understand why he chose to study such a complex and difficult language.

 

Muntasir knew it well. More Chinese companies were coming in as Sino-Sudanese relations developed fast, and he believed learning Chinese was a route to good work.

 

After graduation from the university, Muntasir worked for a Chinese oil company and a Chinese hospital in Sudan, which greatly improved his Chinese ability.

 

Muntasir is paying great attention to the current China-Africa forum. "Relations between China and Africa are mutually beneficial. Africa is abundant in natural resources but lacks technology and experience, which it can get from fast developing China," he said.

 

Since 1973, a total of 4,142 African students from 42 countries and regions have graduated from BLCU. They have made extensive contributions in different walks of life at home.

 

The current students hope to follow suit.

 

Embracing the ambition of becoming an interpreter two years ago, Bambou, 32, came all the way form Western Africa's Gabon to Beijing to study Chinese at BLCU.

 

Serving in the foreign affairs department of Gabon's government for five years, Bambou found that misunderstandings often occurred due to a language barrier, as there was more frequent contact with Chinese working in and visiting his country. He believed learning Chinese could be a new opportunity for his career.

 

However, at the beginning, the difficulties of learning Chinese went far beyond his expectations. He could barely understand and talk to his roommates from other countries.

 

"At times, I wanted to quit and go home," he said.

 

But encouragement from classmates and teachers helped him get through that painful stage. Now, though still not speaking Chinese fluently, he has no difficulties swapping ideas with Chinese.

 

After making friends with more Chinese, he found that Chinese and African people have a lot in common. "For example, we both highly value our families and relatives," he said.

 

Bambou expressed concern over the loss of his own country's culture. Despite getting independence from France in 1960, many young people discarded their mother tongue and only speak French.

 

Two days ago, Bambou, for the first time in his life, met the president of Gabon, who hosted Gabonese students in Beijing during his visit to the China-Africa Forum. He encouraged them to bring Chinese economic development experiences back to Gabon.

 

(China Daily November 6, 2006)