Prateema Chhetri is all geared up to start her Masters degree in the prestigious China Pharmaceuticals University in Nanjing province.
She had passed tough fight to be among 41 students from Nepal who received scholarship to pursue higher education in different universities of China for the academic session of 2007.
Although she feels lucky that she managed to beat thousands of applicants in the examinations carried out by Nepali Minister for Education, she is somewhat apprehensive due to the challenges which lie ahead of her in the years to come.
"I think learning Chinese language will be the toughest challenges among others," says Chhetri who is aware of the fact that she will have to be proficient in Chinese language within 10 months before she could attend her lectures in the university for her degree.
Chhetri is also bothered by the fact that she is going to take four years to finish her degree in Chinese university whereas her friends studying in universities of Nepal or other countries will complete the same degree in two years.
But she is confident that she won't be wasting her precious time while studying in China. She preferred to take her chance because the Kathmandu University in Nepal offers limited subjects in its curriculum.
She says, "I will be learning Chinese language as well which would definite help my career as China is the fastest growing economy in the world. By the time I finish my degree, I will have extra leverage to boost my career due to the language skill."
According to First Secretary at the Cultural Section of Chinese Embassy in Nepal Chen Yuli, Nepali students selected for the scholarship program will have to attend language classes for about a year before they become eligible to attend lectures held in Chinese language.
Talking to Xinhua, She expressed confidence that Nepali students will be able to make it as they will be going through intense coaching for about a year that would make them be fluent in Chinese language.
"Moreover, they are young and bright students and will be living among Chinese people which would further help them to learn the language quickly," she added.
In addition to language problem, the Nepali students were bothered by few other issues such as getting used to food and the weather conditions in China.
Most of the students leaving for China said that they are carrying some spices with them because it might take a while before they get used to Chinese delicacies which could be too spicy for them.
Meanwhile, Embassy of the People's Republic of China to Nepal and Araniko Society, the China qualified students' organization, jointly organized a farewell meeting here on Friday for the students leaving for China.
During the program, students were given information and tips to cope up with difficulties they might have to face before they become accustomed with atmosphere and customs in China.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister Pradeep Nepal urged Nepali students leaving for China to become goodwill envoy at the grassroots level to strengthen ages-old friendly relationship between Nepal and China.
Citing that Nepal and China has relationship in two levels -- at the diplomatic level and people-to-people level, Minister Nepal said that the students now bear the responsibility to exchange cultural norms and values with Chinese people which would help consolidating relationship between the two neighboring countries.
He further said that the students will have to shoulder the responsibilities of bridging the cultural link at the people-to- people level which was done by Nepali businessmen in the past.
Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Zheng Xianglin expressed confidence that the students would play significant role in economic and social development of Nepal after they come back upon completion of their studies.
Secretary at the Ministry of Education Lava Prasad Tripathi expressed gratitude to Chinese government for helping Nepal to expand human resource, especially in health sector by providing scholarships to the students every year.
During the program, members of Araniko Society shared their knowledge with the students so that to prepare them to face the challenges they might have to face while pursuing their studies in China.
Harish C Shah, President of the Society who went to China some 30 years ago under similar program advised Nepali students to make the country proud by excelling in their academic performance.
Source: Xinhua
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