At 9 p.m. on June 3, Pavel, a Russian student at Hubei University of Technology, was practising Tai Chi in his dormitory. Having arrived in China from Moscow two years ago, the 21-year-old has not only come to love the Chinese martial art but now hopes to make Wuhan his permanent home.
Pavel's affinity with China dates back to his childhood. Raised on films starring Jackie Chan, he developed an enduring fascination with Chinese culture. In the summer of 2025, he came to Wuhan to study the Chinese language at Hubei University of Technology. "I had heard that Wuhan was a thriving city, so I chose to come here," he said.
Over the course of his time in the city, he has grown more outgoing and self-assured.“I used to feel uneasy speaking with strangers; now I understand that asking others for help is perfectly natural,”he added.
His growing confidence in the language has emboldened him to take on new challenges. At the inaugural International Culture Festival held at Hubei University of Technology last December, Pavel gave a Tai Chi performance. "It helps me relax and sleep better," he said. Tai Chi, he explained, requires close attention to one's breathing and inner state, and has taught him patience, balance and harmony.
Beyond his passion for Chinese martial arts, the vitality of everyday life in Wuhan has also persuaded him to remain in the city. "The cost of living in Wuhan is modest and opportunities are abundant, which gives me great confidence in the future," he said. He intends to pursue a master's degree in Wuhan and subsequently find a career in international trade.
As the interview drew to a close, he offered young people around the world a saying attributed to Bruce Lee: "Knowledge is not something that is given to you; it is something you must work hard to acquire every day."
（By Peng Qinqing）
原文链接：https://book.yunzhan365.com/opplj/fjhn/articles/90285301.html#p=6
