International student John (pictured with a blue work card) is organizing students to queue up for nucleic acid testing. Courtesy of respondents
After Tianjin launched the nucleic acid testing of all employees, Guo Liang, a counselor at the International College of Tianjin Vocational and Technical Normal University, received a "letter of request" from Ethiopian doctoral student Ai Hua and Benin undergraduate student John – they hoped to participate in the volunteer service of nucleic acid testing in the whole university.
Putting on volunteer vests, masks and protective gloves, Aihua and John joined the team of nucleic acid testing volunteers on the day.
Organize international students to participate in nucleic acid testing, count students in groups, explain the nucleic acid testing process and precautions to international students, and assist informants to enter information about international students... Near the evening, the weather was cold, but the enthusiasm of the two did not diminish at all, and they insisted until all the international students returned to the dormitory to rest after the nucleic acid test was completed.
AiHua and John's approach of standing up in the face of the epidemic has been fully affirmed by other international students and teachers, and many teachers of international colleges have forwarded their work photos and liked them in the circle of friends. Guo Liang told reporters that the dedication shown by AiHua and John has infected many international students. In recent days, many international students have contacted Guo Liang through WeChat to ask if they need help.
"It's a great feeling that I can contribute to the school's epidemic prevention and control work as a volunteer." Ai Hua said that he felt very at ease with the effective measures and excellent performance taken by China in fighting the epidemic.
In John's view, signing up for volunteer work seems more like a "part" thing. "The International College is a big family, and the teachers and classmates are my relatives." John told reporters that when he heard that the International College needed international student volunteers, he did not hesitate to sign up.
International student Ai Hua (first from right) is registering information for other international students. Courtesy of respondents
After 6 years of study and life in Tianjin, Aihua has made friends in Nigeria, Pakistan, Uzbekistan and many other countries.
The upcoming Chinese New Year in 2022 will be the 5th Chinese New Year that Aihua celebrates and spends with other international students and friends. AiHua showed reporters a group photo of celebrating the Chinese New Year with his classmates in previous years: "Everyone celebrates the Chinese New Year together, and we feel that we are a big family. ”
John from Benin, who is currently in his third year of Chinese language and auto maintenance engineering at the school, recently took his vacation to learn piano and sing, and occasionally went to the basketball court to play basketball with his classmates. "During the pandemic, good attitude and physical exercise are all necessary, and music and basketball have enriched my life." John said.
Playing soccer is one of the favorite sports of Aihua and many African students, and after the outbreak of the epidemic, Aihua and his classmates appropriately reduced outdoor activities. "I was recently reading articles about the teaching model of the Luban Workshop's Engineering Practice Innovation Project, and I was also reading books on Chinese majors to improve my Chinese language." Aihua said.
In Tianjin Vocational and Technical Normal University, Nankai University, Tianjin Foreign Chinese University, etc., there are many international students like Aihua and John who choose to stay in China, although the number of confirmed local cases of new crown pneumonia reported in Tianjin is still increasing, but China's epidemic prevention measures have reassured them.
"Thanks to the school and teachers for their efforts, I believe that the epidemic will soon pass." Aihua said. (China Daily Tianjin Reporter Station)
Source: China Daily