KazNU Through the Eyes of a Chinese Student: A Bridge Between Civilizations

A citizen of the People's Republic of China, Zhang Chenhao, a third-year student majoring in "Translation Studies" at the Department of Chinese Studies at the Faculty of Oriental Studies of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, shared his experience of studying in Kazakhstan.

"When the plane landed at Almaty Airport, I looked out the window at the unfamiliar city and felt an overwhelming sense of anticipation. I embarked on a journey of knowledge that connects two great civilizations," Zhang recalls.

The lessons at KazNU became a true cultural revelation for him. Here, a Russian language professor used Pushkin’s poetry to explain grammar, while a Chinese professor used imagery from the "Book of Songs" to illustrate translation techniques. According to Zhang, the two languages are like twin flowers, each blooming with its own shade of thought.

He faced challenges in mastering the complex grammatical structures of the Russian language but unexpectedly found a metaphor in nature: "The changing endings of Russian words resemble fluttering snowflakes, while the concise expressions of Chinese are like clear footprints in the snow."

However, studying at KazNU is not just about linguistic experience but also about cultural exchange. During the lessons, students narrated Kazakh legends in Russian and translated them into Chinese, while the epic "Manas" was recited in three languages.

"At that moment, I realized that translation is not just the transformation of words but the resonance of hearts," Zhang Chenhao reflects.

The university campus, located at the foot of the Alatau Mountains, became for him a place where traditions intertwine. Russian notice boards stand alongside posters of the Chinese calligraphy club, and in the library, Chinese students are seen taking notes next to Russian literary works.

"Today, my notebooks are filled with notes in two languages. I have realized that a true translator must be like the great rivers of Kazakhstan—powerful like the Russian language and graceful like the Chinese," Zhang says.

Concluding his story, he emphasizes: "In this university, which bridges Europe and Asia, I am building an invisible bridge where representatives of different civilizations can meet and understand one another."