"I love you, loving you, as the mouse loves the rice," sings Montcho Monthero. The 25-year-old Peking University student likes to sing the popular Chinese song, "Mouse Loves Rice" between homework assignments.
"I love the lyrics," said Monthero. "They are simple yet melodious."
Monthero came from the Republic of Benin in West Africa to study Chinese at Beijing Language and Culture University last year.
"I owe Chinese students a lot since they would help me practice Chinese whenever I asked them," Monthero said. He added that his Chinese teachers were also very kind.
Monthero was among 20 students from his country who were sent to China for an education in 2007. They were a small group compared to the number of other foreign students in the country. As of August this year, there are about 200,000 students from 188 countries and regions studying at Chinese universities.
"Language does pose a barrier, but fortunately most textbooks have English versions and professors are patient," he said.
Monthero wanted to learn more than just the language so he stayed on in China to pursue a master's degree in environmental engineering at Peking University. He wanted to study Chinese technology so that he could help solve water problems back home in Cotonou.
"To learn how to deal with water pollution is my goal," he said, adding that China was developing quickly in technology and science. According to Monthero, water in Cotonou and many other African cities is contaminated with chemicals.
"After I get my master's degree, I want to return home to make water clean again."
Monthero discovered Chinese universities through the Internet and then won a government scholarship to study in the country.
"I admire Chinese universities, like Peking University and Tsinghua University. Here I am and I find the campus to be splendid and the academic environment is just great."
Like most Chinese students, Monthero shuttles between his dorm and classrooms every day. In his leisure time he enjoys dancing and playing football. As a Christian, he goes to a nearby church every Sunday. He also likes to watch Chinese plays on China Central Television .
"Mostly, they are love stories," he said with a grin.
Monthero's affection for China grew after the Beijing Paralympic Games this summer. He received a ticket from a friend and on Sept. 9 got to see the wheel chair basketball game between Japan and Iran.
"It was my first time to watch Paralympic Games, " he said. "I felt so good."
So good that he can sing the entire Olympic song, "Welcome to Beijing."
"It is a great song that shows the hospitality of the Chinese people. Before the Olympics, many people who did not visit China had a wrong picture of the country. But during the Games, so many athletes and spectators came and saw China and got the right picture."
A picture he will remember forever, even after he finishes his studies in 2011 and returns back to Africa.
Source:Xinhua
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