Andreea, a Romanian economics and finance student at Beijing's Tsinghua University, discovered more than academic opportunities during her time in China – she found a second home. Her journey began as a high school exchange student in Jiamusi City, Heilongjiang Province, where she immersed herself in traditional arts like calligraphy, Chinese painting, and martial arts.
'My host family became my anchor,' Andreea shared. 'From celebrating Lunar New Year feasts to late-night dumpling-making sessions, they showed me the warmth of Chinese family values.' The 23-year-old credits her experience with deepening her understanding of cross-cultural connections and East Asian traditions.
Now fluent in Mandarin, Andreea bridges cultures through campus initiatives at Tsinghua, organizing workshops on traditional ink painting for international students. 'China's emphasis on hospitality and intergenerational bonds transformed how I view community-building,' she noted, highlighting how these insights shape her approach to global economics.
Reference(s):
Exploring Chinese civilization: I found my second family in China
cgtn.com
