Liang Xiaofei, the Chinese name of an international student from Russia at Zhejiang Ocean University, decides to study for a second master's degree in tourism management at the university. [Photo/zhoushan.cn]

Editor's note: Zhejiang Ocean University (ZJOU) in Zhoushan is attended by nearly 300 international students each year. These international students have witnessed the development of Zhoushan and play an important role in promoting Zhoushan culture to the rest of the world.

Liang Xiaofei, the Chinese name of an international student from Russia at ZJOU, decided to study for a second master's degree in tourism management at ZJOU after obtaining his first master's degree at the university in marine engineering.

The COVID-19 outbreak earlier this year was a turning point in his life.

"The epidemic gave me more time to reflect on my life and the idea of studying for a second master's degree flashed in and out of my mind," said Liang, adding that he ultimately decided to pursue it under encouragement from family and teachers.

According to Liang, during the epidemic, ZJOU staff distributed face masks and other anti-epidemic supplies to students and closely monitored their health.

He said that although these are trivial things, he was still moved by it and it made him even more determined to continue studying at ZJOU.

Liang also told his family and friends in Russia about his life in Zhoushan, and his younger sister plans to study in Zhoushan after graduating from high school.

"If we are waves on the sea, we just need to listen to the sound of the tide to understand the meaning of life." These were the farewell words for graduates of Yan Xiaojun, Party secretary of ZJOU.

Liang said he is happy to be a "wave on the sea" and share Chinese stories with the world.