Life itself drives us there where we deserve to be. All you need is to have mature plan, commitments to your goals, proper work up, consistency, and to have faith then. The same like this, after graduated in the field of law from Pakistan, securing a Gold Medal in LLB and a Silver Medal in Masters, I planned to peruse my postgraduate studies, Ph.D. in International Law.

Now the question arose: where to go for this? It is an admitted fact that China is a symbol of ambition, hard work and success around the globe. Pak-China relations over the years have been the best example that China has been the ideal place for Pakistani students. Also, the amazing academic and research development in China has made study in China the first choice of Pakistani students. The global ranking of Chinese institutions has not only made its mark globally but also attracted students and professionals around the globe for securing the best career opportunities and perspectives. My decision to study in China is based on the amazing academic facilities, global standards of education and research, the ground realities of Pak-China friendly relations and above all, the love and hospitality of the people of China and its dynamic cultural norms and values. China without any doubt has become a second homeland for the people of Pakistan. The current CPEC (China Pakistan Economic Corridor) project has further strengthen and promoted our bilateral relations, opening windows to education, research, trade, economic and social sectors. I am fully convinced that China is the best place for studying International Law for Pakistani students.

I have searched the best universities with good rankings and renowned faculty, and learnt the whole procedure to apply for CSC. After having view on the faculty and research achievements, I have shortlisted the Shandong University. I was inspired by the multiple research capabilities of Prof. Yen-Chiang Chang of Shandong University, and then I sent an email to him requesting therein for the acceptance letter. He appreciated my work and granted me the acceptance letter. Then I adopt the formal procedure to apply for Ph.D. in International Law at Shandong University under CSC.

I have to wait for a long period of three months for the result and finally a message tone of email in my cell phone knocked the bell of success, announcing therein my recommendation for the CSC. It was the most cherishing day of my life, and I certainly shared this news with my friends and family, they all also felt great of hearing that. Then the other long wait coming to my way was the final acceptance by CSC. Finally CSC announced the result after my waiting for almost one month and a half. I took a calm breath and then was indulged in the thrill.

That day was the decisive day of my life. That email made it possible to change myself from an ordinary student to a research scholar of Shandong University.

Thereafter I started making arrangements about how to reach at my university, what to bring along with me, where to buy air ticket, etc. I took my flight from Lahore, Pakistan on September 11, 2017 at 11:40 p.m. to Qingdao via Bangkok and Shanghai. I would reached Qingdao Airport at mid-night, and it was like I have to enter a new planet where neither did I have any contact or reference nor was I familiar with the local language. I tried to find some senior students in SDU and got some information accordingly, but I didn't know any in my Qingdao Campus. But fortunately while I was in transit at Bangkok, I was referred to a local Chinese Muslim Family by my friend. He managed to make me contact him (Mr. Leo, a local businessman of Qingdao downtown) through social media. But the problem was how to make contact with him after reaching Qingdao, as I didn't have any local SIM in my cell phone, and free internet service was also not provided at Qingdao Airport. So confusions were getting multiplying. Then we tied up as my flight would arrive at Qingdao at 11:35 p.m. and he would come to pick me at 11:40 p.m. sharp and will be standing at gate No. 5 of Qingdao Airport.

Then I started my journey from Bangkok to Shanghai. After reaching there, I couldn't get the free WiFi without local SIM card, and I confirmed Mr. Leo that I had got the boarding card and would be there at Qingdao Airport at 11:35 p.m. sharp.

But when it came to 11:30, I heard an announcement that my flight got late. I was surprised to hear that and was confused again how I should inform Mr. Leo about the flight delay. At the end I couldn`t manage to contact Mr. Leo till 12:40 p.m. and then got my flight thereafter which arrived at Qingdao at about 2:00 p.m. But I really felt happy to see Mr. Leo waiting there at gate No. 5. He shouted, "Hey Mehran! It is Leo here, come this way. "

Besides my happiness to see him there, I also felt ashamed of making him waiting for so long till mid-night. But he welcomed me with very positive and purely warm gestures without any complaint of waiting. He took me to his car, carried my baggage too, and drove me to his home offering me the dinner. He had managed a separate room for me for night stay where I slept with peace and calm.

Next morning, after serving me with the heavy traditional breakfast, he managed a taxi to drop me at my university. As I wasn't familiar with the Chinese language, so he told the taxi driver about the address of Shandong University Qingdao Campus.

I reached SDU after an hour, but we were unable to find the building of ISO. After asking several students, at last I found someone who were from my school and also spoke English. We went to the concerned office, and they took me to the law school to proceed further thereafter. They were very caring, responsible and cooperative girls, who were carrying my baggage by themselves all the way. After having some discussions with the staff, they led me to the dormitory, and asked whether there were anything else they could provide help. I was really inspired and pleased of being welcomed in such a helping way.

What happened to me after arriving in China and reaching my university's dormitory have stamped a seal on my heart and mind that Chinese are truly full of hospitality, genuinely cooperative, wise hearted and with welcoming nature. Besides although I will study International Law here at SDU, I hope that I will also learn humanity, hospitality and ethics while living here in the built-up healthier environment of SDU that will polish and shape a new human being in myself.

Written by: Mehran Idris Khan, 2017 CSC Ph.D. (International Law) student at Shandong University, Qingdao Campus

Edited by: Xie Tingting