Hi! My name is Hanif Miah. I’m 34 years old Bangladeshi, working as PhD research fellow at the school of sociology of Central China Normal University, China under China government scholarship. Before admitted here, I did honors and masters in same discipline from Chittagong University, one of the renowned public university of Bangladesh. And I had to pass several competitive and challenging evaluation processes jointly arranged by the Ministry of Education and Embassy of P.R China, Bangladesh. Now I feel proud to introduce myself as a PhD candidate of the school of sociology, CCNU and an assistant professor at the department of sociology, University of Chittagong, Bangladesh.

This is the story of my one-year experience of studying here as a PhD candidate. Before sharing my experience, it will be very contextual to tell why the school of sociology, CCNU for pursuing my higher study. Answer is clear, my sociology background directed me to choose again sociology for extensive understanding on social issues as a profession of teaching. But why China? Yes, to me, China is a country which is remain unrevealed to the world in the context of it’s socio-cultural uniqueness. In the era of globalization how china remains in preservation of it’s own culture is really encouraging. In essence, Chinese culture is traditionally distinct to other world. Definitely it is the matter of proud. Another important thing is, its political ideology and people’s believe in ‘Respect others’ make me enlightened to be here. I’m not so orthodox man, I do believe in equity and humanity as I learnt from my Guru (master) Fakir Lalon Sain; a renowned Baul of Bengal (West Bengal and Bangladesh), famous for his humanistic philosophy. In fact, I am studying here on Baul philosophy relating to gender issues. I thought, China is the right place for cultivating my mind and pursuing higher studies. In addition, CCNU is renowned to the world for its international engagement and obviously CCNU is one of the top most university in China.  

I admitted here on September 05, 2015. That day was really frustrating, when I went for admission, admission office couldn’t understand what I was saying. Everyone were unknown to me, and their language too. Same thing is still happening during the use of CCNU library directly or even in online. Everything are in Chinese. I was frustrated because, I have selected for fully English taught PhD program, but here is no one to speak English. For the first time, I feel, all international should learn the language of where he is going to pursue his/ her higher studies. But within a week, when I met Dean at his office, my feeling was like a man getting a drop of water in a desert. Prof. Darrell D. Irwin, English, the Dean of our school, is very nice and cooperative person. Really he is cooperative. When I was trying to get Japanese visa for presenting one of my research paper as a PhD candidate of our school in an International conference organized by Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, he did a lot by providing necessary documents. Here it is also important to remember another name, Mr. Vincent Chen, it’s his English name. Mr. Chen is the secretary of our Dean. He was directly involved to get my Japanese visa for the conference. He is not only working as a translator for us but also directly involve to carry out our administrative tasks, such as getting transcripts, arranging classes, disseminating necessary documents for international students etc. Now we are able to communicate with office secretary and other important Chinese speaking persons to solve our problem as International student. So, here it is worth mentioning that those guys are working a lot for what exactly mean the internationalization of the school of sociology. May be it will be contextual to remember the name, Prof. Jiang Lihua, Vice-Dean of our school for his kind cooperation as well.  In any circumstances, he is ready to sign on any paper required for international students. Correspondingly my supervisor, Dr. Luo Liqun, is also very much complaisant and taken care of his students. Always he eager to help his students for their betterment as I experienced within the very short time.    

Now I am going to tell about my academic experiences from the last two semesters. In every semester, high profiled professor and academic topic introduces for our course credit. It was really the matter of delight and excitement too when I was doing my courses with the renowned professors from University of Cambridge, Illinois, North Carolina, Carleton and Peking University here.  For the first time, I have come to know about the webinar in my first semester. Webinar is an internet based online seminar. I have participated in that webinar on Making Growth for Women in Low-income Countries organized by GrOW Program which was operated from USA. Similarly, I did an online course during my first year course work. In the fast digital world, those two events make me fluent on internet using, online conversation; emailing, voice and text massaging, chatting and also make me familiar with the new methods of teaching techniques.  

So, all those things are the matter of proud to me undoubtedly. But something more I feel as an international student. I feel, in the beginning of every new semester, there should be an orientation class where every teacher of our school would be present and talk about their personal biography including their area of specialization so that new student can think and chose their upcoming academic supervisor earlier. Or, there should be an overall presentation on our school staff for the same purpose. I feel, there should be some space for study, I mean the lab where student can stay long time for their study purpose. It will be beneficiary for both; Chinese and English speaking (international students) students as they will get scope to interact with each other. I feel, both students should be engaged in the departmental progress; like organizing small scale seminar, lecture, sharing cultural variation by organizing frequent cultural events, weeks etc. I feel, there should be an international conference annually will be organized by our department where students can actively participate by submitting their research manuscript. It would be encouraging for enhancing quality education for all. And I feel, there should be an independent publishing house at our department with the international collaboration. The fulfilment of those said feelings are not only means one’s satisfaction but also indicate the purpose of proper internationalization of our school; school of sociology, CCNU.    

No more today, I will be here for more two or three years. In future, I will be more experienced about my Chinese lives as I am involving myself with the different Chinese programs, likes ‘Building Chinese Language through Listening and Speaking’, ‘Overview of Chinese Culture’ and ‘Chinese Music, Dance, Instruments etc.’. May be the great experience is waiting for sharing with.