Turkmen student finds second home in Xi'an

Hasanbayev Agabek (left), a student from Turkmenistan, visits the Twelve Hours of Chang'an block in Xi'an. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

In the summer of 2018, then-18-year-old Hasanbayev Agabek from Turkmenistan embarked on a journey to Xi'an, the capital of Shaanxi province, with a ticket to explore the city. Seven years later, as a graduate of Xi'an University of Electronic Science and Technology, he enjoys sharing China's technological advancements with his hometown friends in fluent Chinese.

His study abroad experience reshaped his understanding of China and transformed him into an active participant in Belt and Road technological cooperation.

When Agabek set foot in China for the first time, the bustling cityscape and convenient mobile payment systems in Xi'an challenged his preconceptions.

A friend's recommendation drove his academic journey from Turkmenistan to Xi'an University's computer science program. Overcoming language barriers and academic challenges, he has completed his undergraduate studies and continues his postgraduate education.

During his seven-year stay, Agabek immersed himself in campus life, serving as the captain of the international college's football team, participating in cultural activities like writing Spring Festival couplets and making dumplings, and indulging in Xi'an's cuisine. His travels across Shaanxi and beyond have exposed him to China's diverse culture and history.

Agabek's connection with China has led him to envision settling in Xi'an. His journey has fostered a profound sense of belonging to a second homeland.

Inspired by the Belt and Road Initiative, more Central Asian students like Agabek are drawn to China for its culture and technology, becoming ambassadors of cultural exchange and economic integration.

As a testament to the power of technology and cultural exchange involving the Belt and Road, Hasanbayev Agabek's story exemplifies a generation of youths making choices for a shared future.

Hasanbayev Agabek (front row, right), a student from Turkmenistan, visits the Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Hasanbayev Agabek (middle), a student from Turkmenistan, visits the Museum of Xi'an University of Electronic Science and Technology. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Hasanbayev Agabek (right), a student from Turkmenistan, visits the Museum of Xi'an University of Electronic Science and Technology. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Hasanbayev Agabek, an international student from Turkmenistan, plays in a soccer match for Xi'an University of Electronic Science and Technology. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]