Rakesh Kumar Suman, an international PhD student in Chongqing Medical University. CHINA DAILY

Chongqing Medical University has the most beautiful campuses in Chongqing. They are well maintained and clean, making my student life comfortable.

I have always been fascinated by Chinese culture and wisdom. It is a wonderful experience living in China. I have been living here for more than 15 years including 11 years on the campus. This has changed my thoughts about the country forever.

I am very impressed by the pace of development in infrastructure and the continuous improvement in the innovative living standards provided to people.

I married my Chinese wife in March 2009. Marriage ceremonies were held in both China and India.

Every year we celebrate our wedding anniversary in China with pleasure.

During Spring Festival, it is fun to be with my Chinese family in my wife's hometown, Hefei city in Anhui province. I am always welcomed with open hearts to join in family gatherings and enjoy local food together.

In September 2020, I enrolled in a PhD (doctor's degree) program of Psychiatry and Mental Health in Chongqing Medical University. I'm greatly impressed with the standard of education provided in my university and its affiliated hospitals.

My journey to China from India started that year with a dream to pursue higher studies in medicine. I have successfully completed my undergraduate and postgraduate master's degree in the field of medicine from Southeast University and Chongqing Medical University respectively. My first campus life experience was full of enthusiasm after I married in China during my undergraduate studies. Since then, I have always been thankful to my wife and my wonderful Chinese family who continue to care for me and provide support to make my life easier in China.

Chinese professors and supervisors at my university are always helpful and provide in-depth knowledge to their international students. In my hospital, medical staff and fellow doctors are very polite, and we maintain healthy relationships. That's the reason why I feel so comfortable working in clinical setups within my hospital premises in both outpatient and inpatient wards.

Chongqing Medical University is well-equipped to provide practical training and hold classes. For me, the library is the best place to study. Chinese professors can communicate and explain in English as required by international students.

In China, most hospitals are well-developed with all the recent technological advancement in the field of medical treatment. I attend all my classes and lectures in order to update my knowledge. I assist patients during their medical treatment along with other Chinese and foreign students in my department. Chinese students are very friendly and always willing to come forward to help other foreign students. There are many extracurricular activities organized by my university together with other universities under cultural exchange programs from time to time. In this way, all the international students in Chongqing get a good chance to know each other and share campus life experiences.

I like to attend Chinese cultural activities. Often, I am invited to join in several international forums and business summits held in Chongqing city.

The Chinese word Chongqing denotes double happiness. It's a city with many mountains, so it is also called "mountain city". I always feel blessed and happy to spend my campus life in Chongqing with my wife.

After graduation, my plan is to serve in the medical profession and teaching in the field of psychiatry and mental health in Chongqing. I have a keen interest in developing close connections between China and India in order to enhance infrastructure and technological advancement in the field of medical science. I believe that there's always a lot to learn from each other and working together in harmony will create a better world for the future and upcoming generations.

The author is from India. He is an international PhD student enrolled in The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University.