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WINDHOEK
(Xinhua) -- Students at the University of Namibia
Confucius Institute are embracing Chinese language training to
seize opportunities and boost career prospects.
Keith Mushonga, 26, a student at the
Confucius Institute said that enrolling for Chinese language
classes has not only exposed him to a new world of enhanced
interaction with the Chinese community but it has reaped him
benefits and accolades.
Only a year at the Institute, learning
Chinese language accorded him the chance to travel to China to
participate at the 16th Chinese Bridge competition.
“In a short period of time, my mastery
of the Chinese language came with many opportunities. I
never imagined such an opportunity would land on my lap,”
said Mushonga.
He added that winning the competition
on merit ignited passion and keen interest about the Chinese
culture.
According to Mushonga, his
participation at the 16th Chinese Bridge competition
in China held in July this year has also since enthused him to
master the Chinese language to boost his career prospects.
“Being in China gave me a boost of
confidence. I learned that it’s about never giving up.
Hence, I wish to master the language and seize new
opportunities that comes with learning the Chinese
language,” he said.
During the trip to China, Mushonga
also immersed himself in the Chinese culture by visiting the
China University of Geosciences in Beijing, climbed the Great
Wall and also visited the Forbidden City.
According to Mushonga, exposure to
multiple facets in China accorded him the chance to learn more
about the Chinese culture, account and their way of
socialization.
“This gave me insight into the history
of China and realized how far the Chinese community has
come. Emulating from their spirit of hard work and
development; I was inspired to come back and transform my
country. Indeed as a country, we can learn a lot from their
history and look for opportunities to enhance development in
Africa,” he added.
In the interim, Mushonga said he plans
to master the Chinese language as he hopes to pursue further
studies in linguistics in China next year.
“In addition, I wish to share with my
Namibian counterparts about the Chinese culture and what we
can learn from their exemplary work,” he said.
Meanwhile, Zhang Fan, Director of the
Confucius Institute said that interest in the Chinese language
amongst Namibians has increased, with the Institute enrolling
more than 700 students countrywide.
The Confucius Institute offers
scholarships, summer camps, Chinese-bridge proficiency
competition and other programs for senior officials and
principals to visit China. |
