By Jin Lu

At the 2025 "Hi China" event, Svetlana Kuznetsova, an international student from Uzbekistan, recited lines from the Ballad of Mulan while dressed in a Mulan-inspired outfit. Standing proudly on stage, she shared her journey of studying at Ningbo University.

A lifelong martial arts enthusiast, Svetlana was drawn to Chinese culture through kung fu movies. She is currently completing her degree in International Economics and Trade and is set to graduate this June. During her studies, she was deeply impressed by the scale and growth of Ningbo's import and export sector. "I've finished all my courses a year early and hope to start a global trade company back home in Uzbekistan," she said.

Svetlana has embraced not only her academic pursuits in China, but also the country's cultural traditions. In 2022, she appeared on CGTN during the Mid-Autumn Festival as a representative of international students, where she shared her experience in China and handed out homemade mooncakes to classmates.

Outside the classroom, Svetlana is an active volunteer. She has participated in a variety of cultural and community events—like the Fenghua Peach Blossom Marathon and local folk heritage workshops—often bringing along classmates and sharing the experiences on social media. "Many of my friends back home are curious about China. I want to help them see the real China," she said.

Svetlana admires the confidence and openness of Chinese youth, especially their enthusiasm for sharing culture through online media. "China is growing stronger, and its young people are proud and expressive," she noted. "To me, it feels like living in 2050."

As she looks ahead, Svetlana hopes to serve as a bridge between China and Uzbekistan. "I want to tell China's story to the world—together with my Chinese friends."