I’m a senior student majoring in Civil Engineering, named Nadirson Lopes Rodrigues but everyone in the campus knows me by Didi. I got to know about ZUST yet back home when I won Chinese Government scholarship to come to China.

Picking the school to be part of my next stage in life wasn’t that challenging, and the only difficult part was adapting to life here in Xiaoheshan. At the beginning of my first academic year I was told that I wouldn’t be able to apply for degree student scholarship during 4-year study in ZUST, due to the fact that I was already a CSC student, but that did not discourage me in any way.

The first year can often be a little lighter academically than subsequent years, so it's worth enjoying it, and that’s what I wish I knew at the time. So during my freshman year I turned out to be successful in terms of studying, but on the other hand it wasn’t very productive when it comes to social life.My everyday routine would start from going to classes, and then coming back to my room to study.

I decided to change that course, joining the ISU as a member of the drama club performing at the University’s international freshman party, which would end up being really remarkable experience for me.

From that small step a lot of glowing things started following along, and I could just list them out but you’ve seen the picture already, but yeah, one important tip for freshmen and sophomore, is to throw yourself into activities and societies, or just strike up a conversations with random people at the Donghe gym or Kafu town - you'll make so many friends throughout the year in the oddest of places.

I also took part in a few school trips and activities. As a consequence of one of these, I would get the chance to be a part of our University’s Chinese lion dance team member, and once again I would be performing in the beginning of the semester for over 300 freshmen at the international student opening and scholarship award ceremony.

The fact that from my 2nd year throughout the 4th, I understood and managed to apply the Yin-yang theory into my university life (studying hard and Playing hard), I’m glad to say that today I am graduating without any regrets.

Finally, I just want to take this opportunity to congratulate all the students graduating this semester, because it was a hard one indeed. Managing to graduate this year wasn’t that easy, and it was really rough actually, but WE DID IT, WE DIDDD IT!! Cheers Up class of 2020!