The China dreams of an African student
Ebenezeri Erasto Ngowi（河南大学基础医学院2019级坦桑尼亚硕士生）
（Master student of Grade 2019, Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, School of Medical Sciences, Henan University College of Medicine）
Each year hundreds of thousands of students from different countries in Africa are enrolled to pursue further studies in variety of fields in China. I, Ebenezeri Erasto Ngowi have been among the students who got the opportunity to undertake master’s degree in this beautiful country. Here I will share my experience as an African youth on pursuing my dreams in China.
1.My background
My passion in science started when I was a child, and it increased as I was getting progressing from one education level to another. In high school I majored in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology subjects. After, two hard years in high school, I successively joined the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) in Tanzania to undertake the bachelor degree in science with education majoring in Chemistry and Biology subjects. After completing my bachelor degree, I was lucky enough to secure a job at the Dar es Salaam University College of Education which is a constituent college of the UDSM to serve as a tutorial assistant in animal physiology, position which I serve to date. While working I applied to undertake further studies in different universities in countries such as USA, China, and Canada. After two years unsuccessive years, I was able to secure a master degree position at Henan university (Henu) to pursue MSc. In Biochemistry and Molecular biology under the university scholarship. Soon after arriving in Henu, I was introduced to the school of basic medical sciences for my coursework, and later joined the Kaifeng Municipal Key Laboratory of Cell Signal Transduction for practical lessons and carrying out my project. In the lab I met amazing teachers, Chinese and other foreign students from different countries such as Ghana, Egypt, and Pakistan, and together we worked as one family under the supervision of Prof. Xin-Ying Ji (PhD).
2.My dream
My dream is to become a successive researcher and a scientist with the ultimate vision of helping to solve chronic health challenges facing the world. In chasing my dream, I joined the Cell Signal Transduction laboratory to study the regulation of cellular oncogenic markers and their resulting effects. To improve my skills, I also dedicated my free time in learning up to date knowledge and skills by reading articles and publications related to my field.
3.Pursuing science majors in China vs Africa
The technological advancement is the key difference between the education offered in Africa and China especially in science subjects. With the rapid change in technology and the innovation of highly sensitive and accurate scientific instruments, studying in China offers easy and quick availability of consumables, chemicals, equipment, and modern laboratories which makes it easy to perform experiments and obtain good data in a short time.
4.The support from the University
As a student the university support is key in achieving my goals, here, the university offers good and safe learning environment and accommodation services. It also funds my studies and provides assistance when needed. Besides, it also carries out culture festival, which is an important event that helps to socialize and learn interesting cultural values of other countries and to make new friends.
5.The support from the laboratory
In the lab, I get to learn current molecular techniques by using modern instruments and equipment. Under the management of teacher Tao Li, the lab provided me with all the necessary materials, reagents and any assistance needed timely. In addition, through international salon and weekly meetings I get a chance to learn presentation skills and interact with students and teachers from other labs.
6.The support from the teachers
The seniority and guidance of the amazing teachers from the first day I arrived in the lab have been very crucial in guiding me and my colleagues to become the best in the field by mastering both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills. In doing so, my supervisors prof. Xin-Ying Ji (PhD) and prof. Dong-Dong Wu (PhD) have been very helpful and supportive in many ways such as providing review writing trainings and experimental guidance. Also, they provide motivation in form of bonus for good performance and encouragement words which have been essential in raising my spirit and providing my basic needs.
7.The support from Chinese students
Since I was one of the first foreign students in the lab, I learned most of the techniques from Chinese students. The guidance of Pengzhen Dong and Yage Chen among others has been essential in improving my technical skills, understanding the lab and interacting with other students.
8.Achievements
Since I joined the laboratory, I learned a lot of new techniques which helped to improve my writing skills as well as my technical ability. My greatest achievement so far has been to succeed to publish two review articles on JCR zone 2 journals.
9.Future plan
My future plan starts with contributing to the scientific community by not only by publishing in bigger journals, but also publishing useful and meaningful data. Ultimately, to use the knowledge and skills I have learned to help solve different health challenges facing the world. With hard work and dedication, I believe that my dreams will be fulfilled.
Thank China.