My name is Clive Nyamukapa, from Zimbabwe. I am pursuing a master's degree in international politics and rule of law at Shanghai University of Political Science and Law.

I obtained my first degree in China, so I am familiar with the country. I have had the fortune to stay and study in such an innovative and diverse environment and this has broadened my horizons.

Before coming to China, my knowledge of the country was largely acquired through mainstream news and content that I would watch, such as movies or music videos. After arriving here, I realized that there is much more than what any content can show. Therefore, I came to understand that the best way to truly know a place is by spending time in that place.

Fortunately, I had the opportunity to spend one year in Beijing, capital of China. During my time here, I was astonished by the eye-catching modern infrastructure. When I came to Shanghai, I was also impressed by the level of modernization and efficiency of its transport system. This led me to realize that contrary to some global public perceptions, China’s development and modernization are astounding to such a level that it can compete with some of the world’s developed countries.

One thing that I personally find intriguing is China’s ability to combine its modern infrastructure with its traditional architecture. Although China is an immensely modernized state, it still manages to preserve its cultural heritage, which is something a lot of countries can learn from.

China makes day-to-day life very convenient through various innovations. Apps like Taobao, Meituan and Didi have made online shopping as well as food and taxi ordering very easy. These innovations make day to life very hassle free. Most of these cutting-edge innovations are things that the outside world might not see from mainstream media but do in actual fact exist in China.

Before coming to China, one of my reservations was about trying Chinese cuisine. When I saw pictures of the food, I wondered what it would taste like. After coming to China and experiencing Chinese cuisine, I realized how delicious it is. Dishes such as Beijing roasted duck, dumplings and Chinese BBQ have become some of my favorites. The skepticism that many international citizens have is based on their fear of trying something that appears foreign to them. But once they taste the food, they will realize how tasty Chinese cuisine actually is.

One place I would love to visit someday is Xinjiang. Through playing football on campus, I have managed to make some friends from Xinjiang. From time to time, I also eat at a Lanzhou noodle restaurant where they serve the most delicious Xinjiang-style lamb skewers. One day, I would like to visit Xinjiang and see the renowned Xinjiang mountains that my friends have told me about.

My personal experience in China has been a good one. China is a beautiful place that I would encourage people from all over the world to visit. The best way to understand a country is by visiting that country and gaining first-hand experience. Although technology has made it possible to see what is happening around the world through digital devices, I believe that if one truly intends to understand a particular place, nothing beats spending time in that place of interest.

Clive Nyamukapa is a Zimbabwean student currently studying at Shanghai University of Political Science and Law.

Planner: Jie Wenjin

Reviewers: Hou Weili and Cheng Li