Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
What time do classes start for Chinese students? How do modern technology and the love and respect for traditions in China coexist? Darina Khasanova, a student in the Department of Industrial Innovation Management at the RUDN University Engineering Academy, learned the answers to these questions during an internship at the Ocean University of China in Qingdao. For several weeks, she and other students at our university intensively studied Chinese using a program developed by native speakers.
"The learning process was brilliant. These weren't boring lectures in the traditional sense. We deepened our grammar, expanded our vocabulary, and, most importantly, practiced speaking. The emphasis was on a living, modern language, one that is actually spoken on the streets of China," says Darina Khasanova.
According to her, language immersion began on the very first evening of the internship after moving into the dorm. Her group of students went to the university cafeteria, and it was a real challenge: ordering food on their own. There were crowds of people, incredible aromas, and food stands where everything looked sizzling hot.
We crowded around the display case, trying to figure out how to choose a dish from such a variety. It was our first "non-textbook" dialogue, where phrases like "Is this spicy?" or "Can I get it without the pepper?" were mixed with active gesticulation. The most difficult moment was when the chef, tired of waiting, asked us a quick question, pointing to noodles with some vegetables. We didn't understand him completely, but we caught the key word "辣" – spicy. We shook our heads in horror: "不要, 不要! – No, no!" It worked! He laughed and switched to steamed dishes. We finally managed to explain that we wanted something "really tasty, but not spicy." In the end, we received plates of spicy chicken, vegetables, and rice. It was a victory! We ate and felt that we had not only overcome the language barrier but also conquered our fear. The fear of speaking disappeared at that moment, because I realized that even if you speak incorrectly, but you sincerely try, you will be understood and helped,” says Darina Khasanova.
As the student notes, the Chinese teachers spoke to them exclusively in Chinese during class. This literally overheated their brains during the first few days, trying to digest all the information. But over time, Darina got used to it, because Chinese was everywhere: on the bus, in the store, in the cafeteria. Her ear began to pick out familiar words from the general flow, and this was incredibly motivating.
Thinking in Chinese
"Another unique feature of the internship was the international nature of the groups. We had an Italian, Koreans, and a Brazilian student. We had no common language other than Chinese itself and some broken English for backup. Our discussions often turned into a cheerful mix of languages. We understood each other, giggling at our unique 'Chinese-English' dialect and how it must have looked to outsiders. But this didn't hinder, it actually helped—we were learning to think in Chinese together," says Darina Khasanova.
Class assignments focused on real-life situations. Rather than memorizing texts, students role-played tasks: from the simple "buy three apples and haggle at the market" to the complex "explain your symptoms to the doctor and get a diagnosis" or even "invent and deliver a declaration of love." Students staged costumed skits, such as a role-playing interview at a large company, and discussed a wide range of topics with each other, from their favorite music to local legends.
"For me, the most interesting task was the costume scene. Everything—from the dialogue to the set design—was planned by us. Our imaginations were boundless! The guys and I discussed every detail, looked for suitable clothes, and did their hair. Everything was done to 'reach the audience's heart' with our performance and make the final project memorable and engaging," says Darina Khasanova.
Similarities and differences
If we talk about what Russian and Chinese students have in common and what differentiates them, the most unexpected thing, according to Darina, was the daily routine and general rhythm of life in Qingdao.
"We're used to getting up later, so we were shocked to learn that Chinese students' classes start at 7:30–8:00 a.m.! But that's only part of the picture. Life in China begins at dawn. By 6 a.m., the shopping streets are bustling with people, the local shops are bustling with activity, and the stadiums and parks are filled with people exercising. However, by 9 a.m., many streets are empty, and the grocery stores are closed altogether. The sun is at its zenith, which means unbearable heat descends on the city, and it's time to take shelter from the sun to avoid heatstroke," says Darina Khasanova.
Another difference, according to the student, is Chinese students' ability to clearly separate time between leisure and study. Chinese students know how to have a great time (especially over dinner or on group walks), while also being completely immersed in their studies.
"It's not just 'studying hard'—it's a systemic, almost professional approach to education as the main work at this stage of life. This is the main difference in approach to the very structure of life," says Darina Khasanova.
But there are still similarities, the girl says, in their personalities and friendliness. The Chinese students turned out to be just as cheerful, open, and inquisitive as the Russian ones.
"We constantly encountered people meeting us right on the street, in the cafeteria, or in the park. Local students would start a conversation with great interest, exchange contacts on WeChat, and then chat for hours, recommending the best places for walks or inexpensive cafes. There was no formality to it—just a genuine desire to connect and help," says Darina Khasanova.
Digital ecosystems
Another thing that impressed Darina about China was its digital technologies, many of whose features she wants to implement here.
"Firstly, these are services as infrastructure. We're accustomed to a situation where each task requires its own separate app: order food in one app, call a taxi in another, check your card balance in a third. In China, I encountered the opposite approach: these are global platforms where you can do absolutely everything in one place. Right in one app, you can pay for groceries, check the menu and reviews of cafes, buy and activate a metro pass, pay your utility bill, and then, to relax, binge-watch short videos or read the news. This creates phenomenal user convenience and opens up enormous growth potential for businesses. As a future manager, I believe it's worth emulating not the monstrous app itself, but the logic behind creating an ecosystem. That is, building a service so that it solves not just one, but a whole host of related life tasks for the client, thereby dramatically increasing their loyalty and overall engagement time with the brand," says Darina Khasanova.
The student adds that she was also struck by the ability to attract customers not with discounts, but with content. Live content with short videos or online broadcasts is well-developed in China. Users don't visit an online store, but rather a live stream, where a salesperson or blogger demonstrates a product in real time, interacts with the audience, jokes, and answers questions. And you're not just looking at a picture; you feel like you're part of a trend, an event, and a vibrant community.
"Purchasing is becoming an impulsive, emotional, and highly social act. This transforms boring online shopping into genuine entertainment and excitement. I believe our Russian companies, especially in the fashion, cosmetics, and home goods sectors, are sorely lacking this approach—building sales around engaging content and creating a sense of belonging, rather than simply focusing on price," says Darina Khasanova.
Martial arts in the morning, dancing in the evening
But Darina didn't just remember the learning process and digital technologies. She also appreciates the internship for the insights she gained into the local mentality and Chinese culture—experiencing them firsthand through calligraphy and tea ceremony workshops, and simply on walks.
"Every day, strolling the streets of Qingdao, I saw this: young Chinese men and women in exquisite traditional hanfu or qipao strolling along the embankment, taking selfies with the latest smartphones. In a single frame—a thousand-year-old culture and cutting-edge technology. This wasn't a costume party, but a natural desire to honor one's history and connect with it. This rhythm was repeated daily: in the mornings, people practiced tai chi, an ancient martial art, by the water, and in the evening, the same embankment transformed into an arena for dance flash mobs to contemporary music. But the most striking thing was the lack of conflict between these worlds. An elderly couple, having worked out, calmly watched the youth dancing K-pop. Technology hadn't supplanted tradition, but had become a new tool for communication, memory, and self-expression. “This was the most powerful and inspiring impression: to realize that modernity and tradition can exist, mutually enriching each other,” says Darina Khasanova.
Trajectory of the Future
Nevertheless, the most important thing the student gained during the internship was knowledge and an advanced level of Chinese.
"I used to study a language without fully understanding how and where I could apply it in practice. Thoughts of a job that would require this knowledge seemed distant and abstract. I simply couldn't fathom the specific field or role in which I could use it. It was more of a beautiful, yet vague, point in my future plans. The trip to China cleared that fog. Complete immersion in the language environment forced me not just to recall words from a textbook, but to spontaneously search for them in my mind to survive and solve everyday problems—from ordering food and buying a ticket to explaining my feelings to new friends. As a result of the trip, I received not just a certificate, but a set of real-world skills: I'm not afraid to speak and make mistakes, I understand the non-verbal context of communication, and I've become familiar with the key features of Chinese business and everyday culture," says Darina Khasanova.
According to her, this is precisely what allows her to clearly see her trajectory today and understand that her value lies in her ability to "translate" not only languages but also business contexts. She wants to help Russian tech companies adapt their products for the Chinese market, taking into account not only the interface language but also user habits, cultural trends, and the digital ecosystem. Or, conversely, she wants to work with Chinese investments and startups in Russia, building bridges of understanding.
"This trip transformed learning Chinese from an abstract goal into a concrete professional tool and a competitive advantage. I clearly understand that I want to continue developing in this direction—at the intersection of management, technology, and a deep understanding of China," says Darina Khasanova.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.