"A job hunter who is competent in Chinese language and technical skills will be more competitive. Therefore, we all look forward to studying in China", said Phonevixai Phor, a Lao student studying in China. 

Phonevixai Phor, 23 years old, is in her second year at the Yueyang Vocational Technical College (YVTC). Her enthusiasm for Chinese culture was ignited by her frequent encounters with China-related topics on social media. After completing her study of Chinese language at the National University of Laos, she came to China to pursue further study.

International students of YVTC win the peer-voted prize of the "Silk Road Chinese" Competition for International Students. (Photo/Li Jinxuan)

Phonevixai Phor decided to study pharmaceutical sciences at the Medical School of YVTC to fulfill her personal ideals as well as strong demand of Laos for medical professionals. She won first prize in the finals of the Second Vocational Skills in Baby Care during the 2024 BRICS Competition in Skills Development and Technology Innovation. She hopes to have a good mastery of skills, and to intern and work at the overseas teaching hospital of YVTC in Laos after graduation, she said. She aspires to bring the advanced vocational skills and medical care ideas to Laos.

As China is continuously enhancing contacts with Belt and Road partners, YVTC has established cooperative relationships with 11 overseas institutions of higher learning over the past five years. The college has set up a TCM health club and an overseas teaching hospital in Laos, and a maternal and infant healthcare club and an intelligent-technology healthcare club in Malaysia. YVTC has provided nursing, postpartum care, and other healthcare training programs for more than 2,000 overseas trainees.

International students of YVTC learn to make reed pictures, a part of China's intangible cultural heritage. (Photo/Li Jinxuan)

Sengmanyvanh Latsamee, another Lao student who has studied in YVTC for nearly two years, is impressed by the friendliness of Chinese friends. "I could not speak Chinese fluently when I first came to China, and I encountered a lot of challenges in my experiments", she said. Her teachers and schoolmates always spared no effort to help her, answering her questions and acquainting her with experiment facilities.

The most impressive thing for Vilayphone Khampheng, also a Lao student in YVTC, is the immersive experience in traditional Chinese festivals and Chinese culture. "In Laos, the middle-aged and elderly people drink tea. However, when I came to China, I am surprised that many young Chinese people are fond of tea", he said. Influenced by these tea lovers, Vilayphone Khampheng started to tune in to the culture and spirit of Chinese tea. He participated in the first "Wen Ping Cup" Tea Art Contest for College and Secondary School Students in 2023, and won a gold award.

"Studying in China has broadened my view, leading me to more diverse cultures and lives", said Vilayphone Khampheng. He hopes to open a pharmacy in Laos, using his knowledge and skills to benefit his hometown.

This article is from the Hunan Provincial Government www.enghunan.gov.cn.

Translator: Pang Yuehui

Chinese source: Chinanews