When Fereshteh Mokhtari, known by her Chinese name Su Mengjie, started learning Chinese in 2017, she faced a tangle of tones and characters that made many of her classmates give up. But Fereshteh’s persistence paid off, and she quickly discovered that mastering a language could unlock a deeper cultural connection.
Her breakthrough came at an international expo, where she worked as an interpreter alongside enthusiastic partners from the Chinese mainland. Their warmth and curiosity fueled her passion, inspiring her to share Chinese traditions with her fellow Iranians.
Turning to short videos, Fereshteh introduced tea ceremonies, calligraphy strokes, and festival customs to viewers back home. In just a few months, she amassed 70,000 followers and became an internet celebrity in Iran—earning her the title of a digital cultural ambassador.
Today, Fereshteh leads guided tours for Chinese visitors across Iran, blending history, cuisine, and art in immersive experiences. Watching guests light up as they learn about Persian culture—and hearing them promise to spread the word—fills her with pride. For Fereshteh, learning Chinese was more than an academic pursuit; it charted a path to global storytelling and community building.
Her journey reminds us that language is more than words—it’s a bridge that connects hearts, ideas, and cultures.
Reference(s):
Iranian youth's journey from Chinese learner to cultural ambassador
cgtn.com
