Zhang Yu

JeniZhang13@163.com

AGNIYA BEREZHNAYA arrived in Shenzhen from Moscow two years ago with one immediate question: “Why is it so hot here?” Now an economics sophomore at Shenzhen MSU-BIT University (SMBU), the Russian student navigates rigorous academics and a city that continues to surprise her.

Berezhnaya chose Shenzhen for its reputation as China’s technology hub. “When I thought about economics, I wanted to study digital economics or IT-related stuff,” she explained. “Shenzhen is the IT hub for this — a lot of innovations, a lot of technologies.”

Her first impression evolved upon discovering the city’s greenery. “I didn’t know it would be such a green city. If you compare it with other cities in China, it is the greenest one with many parks and flowers.”

In addition, Berezhnaya is impressed with the city’s modern infrastructure, particularly skyscrapers in Futian and Nanshan districts, modern libraries, and tech-savvy environment.

Academic life intensified dramatically in her second year. “The first year was okay — I had free time to get used to China. But the second year, all the hard subjects started — microeconomics, macroeconomics, a lot of math,” Berezhnaya said.

“It’s really challenging. I don’t have much free time, so I live in libraries.” Noting that she sometimes rotates study locations for inspiration, she said, “I’ll go to a new library just to change the atmosphere.”

Beyond academics, Berezhnaya creates content on Xiaohongshu (RedNote) and Instagram, showcasing cafes, libraries, and cultural sites like Nantou Ancient Town.

A standout moment occurred when she was performing Russian folk songs on her accordion at a multicultural fair in Shenzhen Talent Park. “Suddenly there was this drone show right above all the people,” she recalled. Hundreds of illuminated drones left her “mesmerized” and scrambling to capture the moment.

What stunned Berezhnaya most wasn’t the display itself, but the locals’ reaction. “They were not surprised… It’s just like a Monday or Tuesday for them,” she observed. As she stood awestruck and wanting to film every second to send to her friends and parents, the crowd largely ignored the sky. “Maybe they have seen it so many times or they’re so used to this kind of technology so they didn’t look up. That’s just crazy for me!”

Adaptation required strategy. Berezhnaya progressed from zero to HSK 4 in Mandarin but tackled food differently. “Chinese food is spicy with a lot of oil. I solved this by making my own food.” She volunteers in Shenzhen’s signature red vest and attends multicultural events, noting, “Shenzhen has many young people and opportunities to meet foreigners.”

Her advice to incoming students is practical. “Download Xiaohongshu immediately to find places. Use your first-year free time to explore — you won’t have it later.”

After graduation, Berezhnaya plans to pursue a master’s degree in China, possibly in Shenzhen or Shanghai. Long-term, she envisions being a bridge between her homeland and China. “I’d like short-term work trips — to work in China and go to Russia or vice versa.”