How did you spend your winter holiday with China’s most important festival, the Spring Festival? 

 

For Lisa Konrat, a biotechnology major from Kazakhstan, this holiday marks her first Chinese New Year celebration in China, as well as a pleasant journey filled with joy and new discoveries. Spending her time with locals and friends in Shenzhen, one of China’s most developed city, Lisa encountered both the city’s modern part, bristling with skyscrapers, and its soft core with profound history and traditions inside. 

 

“I got to see how Chinese people prepare for the New Year, what customs they follow, and even take part in some of them.” 

 

During her trip, Lisa tried her hand at making dumplings with locals, and even got the chance to play mahjong (麻将), one of Chinese people’s favorite traditional games. In life, Lisa always pays attention to capturing every beautiful moment and takes delight in trying new things.

 

While talking about her life and studies at Fudan, Lisa recalled her experience of not only finding beautiful landscapes, but also meeting nice people and discovering her path forward here in China.

 

Q: How was your winter holiday spent celebrating Chinese New Year in Shenzhen?

 

A: I had heard a lot about Shenzhen before, and since it is warmer than Shanghai, it seems like a perfect destination in winter. Furthermore, I wanted to explore local landmarks, visit beautiful natural spots, and experience my first Chinese New Year celebration with local friends.

 

The most unforgettable experience was celebrating Chinese New Year with both locals and people from the rest of the world. We made jiaozi (饺子) together—one of the most symbolic New Year dishes, representing wealth and prosperity—and played mahjong which turned out to be a fun and engaging experience. It was a unique opportunity to immerse myself in the traditions of this holiday. This was a New Year’s experience I will never forget!

Q: You participated in “China’s echoes”, a photography competition held by Fudan’s International Student Office. Why did you participate in it?

 

A: I love traveling and photography—it’s an essential part of my life. Even though I’m not a professional photographer and don’t have a professional camera, that doesn’t stop me from capturing moments that I find special. When I saw the announcement about the competition, I immediately decided to participate—it was a great opportunity to express my vision of beauty.

The award-winning photography work by Lisa Konrat

Q: So, how did you choose the main theme of your picture? Can you tell me more about the context in which you took the photo?

 

A: I wanted to capture not only the architectural beauty but also the natural scenery, as the nature in China is quite different from that in my home country. I also noticed that China places great importance on natural aesthetics. Eventually, I decided to focus on Fudan itself. The magnolias blooming on campus seemed to perfectly represent its spirit, and the moon that appeared in the frame added a harmonious touch to the composition. This moment felt so symbolic that I simply couldn’t miss capturing it.

 

Q: The main elements of your work—flowers and the moon—are also important natural imagery in traditional Chinese art. Do you think your work reflects your vision of China? Or is there something else beyond the picture?

 

A: China felt like a mystery to me at first, and I tried to convey that sense of mystery in my photo, through flowers and the moon. Of course, one photo can’t capture everything about China, but nature plays a significant role in Chinese culture, which my work tries to reflect.

Q: That’s true about China’s profound natural resources. How about your life and study at Fudan? Is there a huge difference compared to your previous study experience?

 

A: Moving to China completely changed my life—I am now surrounded by intelligent, motivated, and ambitious people. Fudan has always been my dream university, and I worked hard to get here. Studying here is not easy, especially when classes are conducted in Chinese. This is probably the biggest difference from my previous experience: being smart is not enough, and I have to put in much more effort and energy.

 

Q: Many international students hesitate a lot when choosing their major. How did you make the decision?

 

A: I always knew I would choose a technical major, as it interested me more than humanities. In school, I was passionate about engineering, robotics, and programming, but over time, I realized many of my projects were related to medicine and biology. For example, in high school, my teammate and I built a prototype of an injector robot capable of making precise injections (of course, not real ones—it was just a model). Later, I created a small website with biology study guides, which made me realize that I was genuinely interested in the scientific aspects of biotechnology. 

 

Studying biotechnology at Fudan is challenging but incredibly exciting. I appreciate the extensive hands-on practice and lab work, as they help me understand theoretical concepts much better.

Q: What impressed you most during your studies at Fudan?

 

A: I was deeply impressed by the attitude of both professors and students. Not every university boasts such a level of care and support for students, and in different countries, the approaches to education vary significantly. Despite the challenges, I feel proud to call Fudan my second home.

 

Also, I want to explore different fields and opportunities here. For instance, this year, I am excited to participate in rowing competitions. At the same time, I do not want to lose focus on my scientific endeavors—I plan to find my own path in research and innovation.

 

Q: What about your overall impression about China? Did it ever change after you truly spend your time here?

 

A: Each city and province in China feels like a unique world on its own. Every time I travel around the country, I discover something new, but my love for China keeps growing. This time, my trip to Shenzhen add up to this feeling. We visited Dameisha Beach to enjoy the sea views and watched a light show on the skyscrapers—a breathtaking spectacle. Shenzhen, being the second city in the world with the most skyscrapers, truly comes to life at night, and the illuminated towers create an incredible atmosphere.

 

Fudan has also played a significant role in shaping this feeling. Upon arriving at Fudan, I realized how different Chinese universities can be. However, they all share one thing in common—a warm and welcoming attitude toward students. The Chinese people, in general, are incredibly hospitable, which is something I deeply appreciate.

 

Source from: Fudan University