Growing alongside China over 12 years

I arrived at Beijing Language and Culture University in 2014, expecting my time there to last just a few years. Twelve years later, however, I am still on the same campus — walking the same paths, but as a very different person.

What began as a bachelor's degree has turned into a full academic journey — from undergraduate to master's, and now to the final stage of my PhD. While China was changing at an extraordinary pace, I remained in one place long enough to grow alongside it.

In those early days, although I was already familiar with the language and culture, everything else felt new — from the food and the rhythm of daily life to simple tasks like ordering a meal, asking for directions, or opening a bank account. These experiences, though sometimes frustrating, gradually became the foundation for something deeper: adaptation, resilience, and eventually, a sense of belonging.

Over the years, the changes I have observed in China have been remarkable.

Academically, staying at the same university has given me a rare sense of continuity — and the opportunity to watch the campus evolve. New buildings have risen, facilities have improved, and academic programs have expanded. Places that once felt unfamiliar have quietly become part of my daily routine. At the same time, I have witnessed my own growth: from a student absorbing knowledge to a researcher beginning to contribute to it.

Beyond campus, the transformation of technology and daily life has been equally striking. When I first arrived, cash was still widely used and mobile payments were only just beginning to emerge. Today, nearly every aspect of life — from buying groceries to paying bills — is seamlessly integrated into digital platforms. Convenience has become a defining feature of modern Chinese society, and living through this shift has felt like watching the future unfold in real time.

Yet what has influenced me most is not infrastructure or technology, but the people.

Along the way, mentors and peers have supported me with guidance and opportunities whenever I needed them. I have shared meals, celebrated festivals, and taken part in conversations that challenged my assumptions and broadened my perspective. Through these relationships, I have come to understand the depth and diversity of Chinese society — far beyond what any textbook could offer.

Studying in China has also shaped my sense of identity. Coming from Iraq, I often found myself serving as a bridge in everyday situations — explaining Middle Eastern customs to my Chinese classmates while also helping friends from abroad better understand Chinese traditions, classroom expectations, and social etiquette. These interactions often turned simple conversations into opportunities for mutual understanding, making my time in China especially rewarding.

Interestingly, explaining aspects of Middle Eastern culture helped me see my own traditions from a new perspective. This, in turn, taught me that identity is not fixed, but constantly shaped by experience, interaction, and reflection.

Of course, these 12 years have not been without challenges. There were moments of homesickness, cultural misunderstandings, and academic pressure. But each difficulty carried its own lesson. Over time, I learned to value not only success, but also struggle — because it is struggle that gives meaning to the journey.

Looking back, what makes my experience in China special is not only the scale of the changes I have witnessed, but also the fact that I have lived through them firsthand. I arrived as an outsider, observing from a distance. Today, I feel more like a participant — someone who has grown within this society.

The person who arrived in 2014 could not have imagined the journey ahead. In many ways, my story has become intertwined with China's — as it has changed, so have I.

Written by Kadhim Al Obaidi, an Iraqi doctoral researcher studying the history of Iraqi nation-building, the relationship between state and society, and the cultural forces that have shaped modern Iraqi identity. He has been in China since 2014, studying at Beijing Language and Culture University, where he obtained his bachelor's and master's degrees and is currently pursuing a PhD.