I am Shakeel Ahmad from Pakistan, obtained my Master and Ph.D. degree from China, pursuing Post Doc research at the College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, under the supervision of Professor Tang Jingchun. I joined Nankai University a few months ago. When I joined Nankai, it was the time of COVID-19, and everything was indefinite due to the pandemic; and like everyone, I was too exhausted and uncertain, but I chose to live in China. I was so impressed with the Chinese people’s response to the pandemic and handling of daily life responsibilities. Similarly, Nankai University staff and Professor Tang helped me a lot with Post Doc documentation, campus entrance arrangements, and officially legal workings for a stay in Tianjin. The staff of Nankai University was so kind, supportive, and helping throughout all these processes. 

I have been living in China for quite a long time, so I am a bit familiar with the Chinese language, customs, and traditions and still trying to know more about Chinese culture. Tianjin is a lively and vibrant as well as a historic city, and it has some different customs and foods compared to previous places I have been lived in China. I like Tianjin for its convenience and easy to access everyday life essentials. Thus, I have explored some foods and places and would like to explore more in the near future. 

During my stay at Nankai University, I found it has beautiful campuses. I live and work at the Jinnan campus. This campus is a little far from the city center, considerably peaceful and close to nature. It has a lot of green scenery, trees and small lakes that give beautiful feelings of comfort and calm. Nankai University provides its students with up-to-date and satisfactory education facilities. Research undertaking in my college and other colleges is innovative, applied, and advanced. The teaching faculty is well educated and hard working. Foreign faculty have working freedom and well-treated here. The international students' office staff, teachers, and professors guide and support international students commendably and provide them home away from the home environment.

Overall, in recent decades, Chinese universities have shown outstanding improvement in research and global ranking. Thousands of international students, scholars, and researchers are working in Chinese institutions. After the “one belt and one road” initiative, Chinese universities invite and facilitate more students from countries linked with “one belt and one road” for higher studies. My country, Pakistan, is a part of the “one belt and one road” initiative. Many Pakistani students are studying and continuing higher studies at Nankai University and other Chinese universities and contributing to applied and scientific research fronts. It will be worth to mention that China and Chinese universities provide an effective working environment for international students and scholars. 

In conclusion, I would say that Nankai University is a refined institution for study and research ambitions, and stay at Tianjin is reasonably pleasant, providing socioeconomic ease and a comfortable lifestyle.