Fascination with China helps to boost prospects

For a long time, 27-year-old Margaret Achieng from western Kenya held a deep fascination with China.

A graduate of international relations from United States International University Africa, she was intrigued by the Asian country's rapid economic development and its "soft and smart" policies in Africa.

The Mandarin language intrigued her, too, particularly when spoken by her aunt, an urban planner who was doing her master's degree at Tongji University in Shanghai.

"I wanted to visit this country and experience the subway, and learn about their history and system of governance," she says.

In August 2011, while on an internship at the Foreign Service Institute, a department of Kenya's Foreign Affairs Ministry that trains diplomats in trade and trade-related issues prior to being posted abroad, she conveyed her interest to the director. Pleased with her request, he forwarded her name to the Chinese embassy in Kenya for consideration.

She was accepted into a cultural exchange program. "I was excited. I couldn't wait to see what the future had in store for me," says Achieng. Three months later, she boarded a 15-hour flight to Beijing, with a five-hour stop in Dubai.

She was taken aback at how large Beijing Capital International Airport is and the sheer number of people passing through it. The immigration process was swift and easy. She followed the crowds to the exit and was met by a friendly chauffer.

Although she found the drive long, it was not boring. "The high-rise buildings! The sophisticated road network! The people!" she exclaims. But one thing she had no clue about was the air pollution. "I wondered why it was gray and gloomy."

She settled at the Beijing Chinese Language and Culture College. "My hosts were courteous and made us feel right at home."

There were about 20 foreign students in the program, drawn from Sri Lanka, Colombia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Turkey, Antigua, East Timor and Serbia. Achieng also met African students from Sudan, Malawi and South Africa.

"We took language classes in the morning and were required to choose either Chinese art or music for our afternoon lessons. I immediately chose art and it was eye-opening".

She also found the Chinese people interesting. "From those sitting outside on stools to those waking up early to practice tai chi. Their politeness was also endearing."

She already loved Chinese cuisine, but now she was introduced to a wider variety. She learned to use chopsticks to pick tasty steamed chicken from the bones.

She climbed the Great Wall. "The view was breathtaking," she says. Together with a friend, they took subway lines from end to end.

She acquired a new name, Qing Yang, in which her given name refers to the sun.

The group also visited Guangdong province in southern China, and visited factories in Shenzhen and Guangzhou cities. "I loved the roads. Shenzhen held a deep fascination for me because it was the first place China decided to open up to the world. It is the starting point."

Before her trip ended, she was invited by another student studying at the China Foreign Affairs University to consider applying there. She loved the programs and sought a scholarship once she returned to Kenya.

She was admitted for her master's degree in law and international relations. Out of 17 students in her class, eight were from Africa. She completed the program in 11 months.

Achieng now works for Mombasa county executive committee, where she helps officials with trade, development and diplomacy. She considers herself privileged for having had opportunities to experience China. "I have learned to be patient, my time-keeping skills have improved, and I know the significance of working as a team."

The experience has given Achieng a new view of the Chinese. "They are peaceful people and seek harmony wherever they go. They are industrious, and although they make mistakes, they are also human and should not be castigated harshly. Humans are prone to error," she says.

She commends China's education system, saying it is of high quality. "I think they should provide full scholarships in social sciences programs, too, so that the world can learn more about their culture, not only their technology," says Achieng.

Scholarship opportunities from China have steadily risen. This year alone, China awarded 34 scholarships to Kenyans. Previously most of the programs focused on science and technology but in the recent past urban planning and economics have been added.

Former Chinese president Hu Jintao said in 2012 that China had trained close to 40,000 Africans and provided more than 20,000 government scholarships. He said that China planned to train 30,000 professionals from Africa and provide 18,000 scholarships to African students.

lucymorangi@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily Africa Weekly 06/26/2015 page7)