The China Spirit and My China Journey

卡埃拉·萨拉伊·姆万戈（赞比亚）

Kaela Sarai Mwango (Zambia）

我叫卡埃拉·萨拉伊·姆万戈，我来自赞比亚。自 2012年以来一直在中国。来到中国后，我先在天津市的天津大学学习了一年的汉语，然后转到了北京的华北电力大学，攻读电气工程和自动化的本科学位。毕业后，我继续攻读研究生课程，将电力工程和工程热物理作为研究领域。

My name is Kaela Sarai Mwango. I am from Zambia and have been in China since 2012. Upon coming to China, I first studied the Chinese language at TianjinUniversity in Tianjin City for a year. I moved to North China Electric Power University in Beijing to do my undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering and Automation. After graduation, I enrolled in the graduate program of my university,considering Power Engineering and Engineering Thermophysics as an area of research.

从几个方面来说，中国都是我的成长之旅。我在某些领域遇到了挑战，但也学到了很多有助于我成长和自我发展的宝贵经验。我在中国最重要的收获之一是深切感受到中国人民的职业道德。他们勤奋、爱国，支持彼此的梦想。我看到他们工作特别努力，特别自律，不仅按时完成任务，而且追求完美，并为自己的工作成绩感到自豪，我从中汲取了巨大的力量和灵感。在研发投资方面，在我看来，这是中国繁荣的动力之一。任何发展中国家要实现知识经济的增长，需要对中国的创新进行深入的研究，这是创新和可持续发展特别重要的因素。

Being in China has been a journey of growth in several ways. I have had challenges in some areas but also have learned many lessons that have contributed to my growth and self-development. One of the greatest lessons I have taken from living in China is the work ethics of the Chinese people. They are hardworking, patriotic,and supportive of each other's dreams. I draw huge inspiration from seeing them work and deliver development on time and with pride and perfection. Investment in research and development, in my opinion, has also been one of the driving forces of national prosperity. For any developing country to achieve a knowledge-based economy, there is a great need for research, one of the major pillars of innovation and sustainable development.

此外，中国人民的爱国主义精神也让我非常感动。通过这些年与当地人的相处和交流，我认识到集体主义是中国文化的缩影。可以观察到，中国父母支持他们的孩子的教育和未来，这也让我想起了我们的非洲父母看到他们年幼的孩子成功的梦想。这种文化相似性让我深受感动。还有一点让我感到震撼，中国青年，包括各行各业、各个年龄段的人，他们高度评价祖国，拥护党和政府，积极响应政府的各项号召，努力为祖国的发展贡献力量。

Additionally, Chinese patriotism intrigues me. Through these years spent with the locals, I have realized that collectivism is the epitome of Chinese culture. It can be observed that parents are supportive of their kids' education and future, which also reminds me of the dream of our African parents to see their young ones succeed.Such cultural similarity is admirable.I am also struck by the fact that Chinese citizens, both young and old, speak highly of the country, support the Party and the government, respond positively to the government's calls, and strive to contribute to the development of the country.

来到中国不仅给了我学习汉语的机会，也让我了解了推动中国梦的哲学。了解和学习中国文化成了我最大的兴趣。拥抱中华文化，不断用中文交流，使得我与当地人共存更加容易。这当然是一个优势，特别有助于我对国际关系、商业和跨文化的交流。拥有中文语言技能，增强了我理解当地人心态的能力，在交流中也有助于他们更多地了解世界。假期我回家时，在祖国赞比亚遇到了一些中国人，他们为掌握我们的地方方言，方便与普通人交流也做出了巨大努力。我很惊讶，也深受鼓舞。在建立可持续的双边关系时，语言是主要的组成部分。获得过诺贝尔和平奖的南非前总统，纳尔逊·曼德拉曾经说过：“如果你用一个人听得懂的语言和他交流，他会记在脑子里；如果你用他自己的语言和他交流，他会记在心里。”

Being in China has allowed me to study the Chinese language and understand the philosophies that drive the Chinese dream. Understanding and studying the Chinese culture has become a great interest of mines. Embracing the culture and constantly communicating in Chinese have made it easier to coexist with the locals. This certainly is an advantage, especially for International Relations, Business, and Cross-cultural Exchanges. Being able to speak Chinese has enhanced my ability to understand the mindset of the locals and their drive to understand the world. When I visited home during my gap year, I encountered some Chinese in my home country,Zambia, who had made tremendous efforts in mastering our local dialects. This enabled them to communicate with the local people easily. I was amazed and felt encouraged. In building a sustainable bilateral relationship, language serves as a significant building block. Nelson Mandela said, "If you speak to a man in a language he understands, it goes to his head, but if you speak to a man in his language, it goes to his heart.

汉语算是世界上最难学的语言之一。即使它的复杂性使得外国人很难学习，它也处于当今国际贸易中必不可少的语言的顶峰。由于中国是经济实惠、质量最高的外国教育目的地之一，预计未来几年讲中国普通话的人数将稳步增加。这是中国快速发展和寻求在全世界产生经济和文化影响的内在要求。青年必须培养解决问题的技能，并采取好的举措学习新事物：语言是最基本的工具，青年现在处于对全球发展产生重大影响的最佳位置。世界是一个命运共同体，各国青年都要互相学习，文化互鉴。外国青年学习中国青年的勤奋和服务精神，中国青年也有责任接受了解别国文化和开放思想。这是因为，相互理解，减少和消除误解，语言互通使得更容易知道一个人的意图。增进相互理解是中非团结、友好、合作的非常好的基础。

The Chinese language is one of the most challenging languages in the world. Even with its complications which make it difficult for expats to learn, it sits at the peak of languages essential for today's international trade. With China being one of the most favorable destinations for affordable and quality foreign education, it is projected that the coming years will witness a steady increase in Mandarin speakers.This increase is inherent in China's rapid development and CPC's quest to make economic and cultural impacts both nationally and worldwide. Youths must cultivate problem-solving skills and take on deliberate initiatives to learn new things.Language, for example, is a fundamental tool. Therefore, with hard work and commitment, youths are now in the best positions to significantly impact global development.The world is a community of shared destinies. Young people worldwide should continue to learn from each other and their respective cultures. As foreign youths strive to understand the Chinese history, language, and culture; and learn from Chinese youths' diligence and service spirit, Chinese youths also bear the responsibility to embrace the importance of understanding other countries' cultures and being open-minded. This is because understanding each other and having effective communication breeds little or no room for misunderstanding, making it easier to know one's intentions. Mutual understanding is a fundamental principle for Sino-Africa solidarity, friendship, and cooperation.

审校：张红霞  

英文审校：Dahlia A. Ducreay

编辑：张一博

供稿：Kaela Sarai Mwango 

指导：季昌仁

监制：杨东平   徐志强   蒋   涛