Ingabire Josiane [Photo/China Daily]

Study at a university in China has been a dream of mine since I graduated from a high school in Rwanda.

However, when I was admitted to Shanxi University in the provincial capital of Taiyuan, I was both excited and anxious.

I was excited because my dream finally came true and anxious because Shanxi was a totally new place. It was my first time to be in a foreign country alone.

But my fear and loneliness were quickly eased with the help of my teachers, my schoolmates and friends I met in Shanxi.

In Shanxi University, the teachers have taken care of us as if we were their own family members. And exchanges with my friends offer me opportunities to learn about various cultures.

Many exchange activities have been held at Shanxi University, including parties, sports meetings and cultural events.

The more I became integrated with the local society, the more amazing things I discovered in this North China province.

For a student studying Chinese language and culture, it has been a worthwhile experience to get to know the locals and integrate into their lives.

I found Chinese people are very fond of sports and physical exercise, especially the middle-aged and the seniors.

If you can get up early in the morning and have a walk in one of the parks in Taiyuan, you can always meet crowds of people doing various sports.

In the evening, many of the public squares in the city turn into venues for joyful parties. These places are always full of men and women dancing in different styles.

Shanxi people are both friendly and curious. When I stroll on one of the streets, there are people inviting me to take pictures with them and expressing their intention to become friends. They like to know what my country looks like and they will never hesitate to praise my "language talent" when I talk with them in Chinese.

With so many friendly people to talk with, I found my skills in communication have improved substantially over the years. I have also learned a lot of other things from my teachers and friends, like self-motivation and teamwork.

I believe my stay in Shanxi will be among the most precious experiences in my life.

The author is a student from Rwanda, who studies at the School of International Education and Exchange at Shanxi University.