To be an Introducer of Chinese Culture

Jelena Despotović/Serbia

Confucius Institute of Belgrade, Secretary

I’m Jelena Despotović and my Chinese name is Yezi. I come from a small city in Western Serbia. I like reading books, listening to music, making friends, I’m righteous, and have a cheerful personality.

In 2007, I was honored to be a freshman in the Chinese Department of Belgrade language university. Due to the huge difference between the two languages, I encountered a lot of difficulties at the beginning of learning Chinese. But I always encourage myself and say, “persistence is victory! No matter how difficult it is, I will stick to it.” After several years of study, my knowledge has gradually expanded and my Chinese has become more and more fluent.

In 2009, as a member of the delegation of Serbia, I participated in the 8th International Chinese Bridge Competition for university students hosted in Chongqing, China. Two weeks in China are very short, but it is very important to me. I really fell in love with China. I have known many Chinese friends and classmates from all over the world who are learning Chinese. I have a preliminary experience of what life is like in China. At that time, I decided to go back to China.

After I graduated from University, I got a master’s scholarship in Chinese international education. From 2011 to 2013, I was a graduate student in Communication University of China for two years. At that time, what influenced me most was calligraphy class. Calligraphy was not only an art, but also a way to enjoy life. I like Chinese characters very much because they have a deep cultural connotation. I think this unique word in the world expresses semantics in a very clever way. It’s really amazing for me, who is a native language of Pinyin!

At present, I am a doctoral student in the language school of the University of Belgrade. The research topic is: To study the culture and characteristics of Chinese people through the symbol of dragon. It is hoped that this study will help you to understand China and Chinese culture more deeply.

China’s one belt, one road project, I believe, can promote friendly relations between Serbia and China, which will enable Serbia people to better understand China and deepen Chinese understanding and understanding of Serbia.

I also think that everyone should be good first. A good man should not only like his career, but also understand that knowledge is endless, so everyone should constantly learn and develop.

At the beginning of the 20th century, a missionary said, “you should not ask me how China is, because I have been away from China for three months, so it may be a thing of the past for me to introduce China and its people.” Every year when I go back to China, I feel that China has changed a lot, but it is still like going home.

Laozi said, “a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”

My understanding of Chinese culture and people is still in its infancy.