-Qian Gao, BA student from China

Since coming to Nepal to study, I have felt deeply blessed and grateful. I am fortunate to be surrounded by kind teachers, supportive friends, and many people who have helped me along the way. Whenever I reflect on this year, gratitude is perhaps the strongest feeling that comes to mind. However, if someone asked me what it is really like to go abroad and study alone, I would say without hesitation that it is not an easy journey.

The first obstacle that many international students have to face is loneliness.

I still remember a conversation with one of my old friends from China. He said to me, “When you are reading and using Chinese alone in a foreign country, it feels as if Chinese—your mother tongue—becomes a remedy for your loneliness.” His words touched me deeply since they described exactly how I felt.

After finishing my daily tasks, I often listen to Chinese songs or read books in Chinese. In those quiet moments, my native language becomes more than a tool of communication; it becomes a source of comfort and emotional support. Chinese literature and music create a spiritual garden where I can rest my mind and reconnect with myself. Living abroad has made me realize how closely language is connected to one’s sense of belonging and identity.

Another major challenge this year has been learning Sanskrit.

Although I had learned some basic Sanskrit before coming to Nepal, participating in a systematic and intensive language program was an entirely different experience. The course involved an enormous amount of memorization, grammatical rules, and paradigms, all of which challenged me greatly.

I have always been relatively good at summarizing key points and organizing information efficiently. However, Sanskrit seemed to have an endless number of “key points.” There were declensions, conjugations, grammatical exceptions, and various paradigms that often left me overwhelmed. Sometimes, after finally memorizing a new set of forms, I would discover that the previous ones had already begun to fade from my memory.

There were moments when I questioned whether I would ever be able to master this language. Yet learning rarely follows a straight line. Gradually, as I progressed into the second semester, I began to recognize the internal logic and structure underlying Sanskrit grammar. The language slowly transformed from a collection of isolated rules into a coherent system.

This did not mean that Sanskrit suddenly became easy for me. I still make mistakes, forget forms, and encounter difficulties. However, the difference is that I am no longer lost or confused. More importantly, I have gained confidence in my ability to overcome obstacles and continue learning, even when the process feels slow and demanding.

Returning to student life has also been an important transition for me.

After spending time away from a formal educational environment, I needed to readjust myself to the rhythm and discipline of systematic study. This required not only time management and self-discipline, but also a change in mindset. Once again, I had to learn how to structure my days around classes, assignments, memorization, and long hours of reading.

Despite these challenges, I genuinely enjoy being in a pure academic environment and devoting myself to subjects that truly interest me. Studying Buddhism and classical languages is not merely an academic pursuit for me; it is also a process of personal growth and self-cultivation. Every difficulty encountered in learning becomes an opportunity to develop patience, perseverance, and humility.

Looking back on this year, I realize that studying abroad has taught me much more than knowledge found in textbooks. It has taught me how to live with loneliness, how to adapt to unfamiliar environments, and how to continue moving forward even when progress seems invisible.

Lastly, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the scholarship donors and supporters for their generous assistance throughout my studies. Thanks to their support, I have been able to spend more time focusing on my academic work and less time worrying about financial pressures. I deeply appreciate the trust they have placed in me, and I hope to make good use of this opportunity through sincere effort and continuous progress in my studies.

As I move forward, I will continue striving to become both more diligent and more efficient in my learning, making the most of the opportunities that have been made possible through the generosity of others.