Editor’s Note: Noah Andrea Namwamba is a Kenyan postgraduate of the School of Media and Communication of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU). He is working on his PhD. He served as a translator for the president of Kenya at the China International Import Expo and delivered a speech at the first World Youth Development Forum in 2022.

Noah Andrea Namwamba in Shanghai

Learn Chinese language and love Chinese culture

Namwamba's relationship with China began with his love for language. Namwamba can speak seven languages, including Chinese, which he came to study in China in September 2016.  After studying for a semester, he found that the culture behind Chinese language is very interesting. He decided to remain in China and earn his master’s degree in Media and Communication at SJTU, as well as work on his PhD. “Full and in-depth communication helps me know about China (in a way) that is different from my imagination,” Namwamba said.

During these years in China, Namwamba has been to more than 10 cities. He participated in a wedding ceremony in Jiangxi province and experienced local wedding customs. He has gone to Shanxi province to taste unique and delicious food there. Namwamba appreciates the ideas and humanistic spirit contained in Chinese culture. As a student of media and communication, he wants to promote Chinese culture to the world.

In addition to his deep understanding of Chinese culture, what touches Namwamba most are the friendships he gained in China. Namwamba has been participating in a Shanghai railway station’s public activity in which passengers are presented with Spring Festival couplets and  the character "fortune (福)" during Spring Festival for over 10 years. He gave his heartfelt wishes to passengers during this holiday.

Witness China’s rural revitalization

As a student of the School of Media and Communication, Namwamba filmed China’s rural areas and showed them to the world online. His video won third prize in the “China in my eyes--beautiful countryside” Global Short Video Contest. Namwamba experienced local village life, witnessed the achievements that have been made in rural construction, learned to make local snacks, shot videos of young people playing pop music and showed how to use yellow peaches for further processing. China’s countryside and village life were vividly shown through Namwamba’s lens.

Now, Namwamba and his family live in Shanghai, where he has a daughter. At the Awards Ceremony and Seminar for the Global Short Video Contest, Namwamba shared the development of Fengxian New City and its environment. Namwamba said the integration of tradition and modernity is the key to rural innovation. Different from the stereotype of rural life that people used to have, nowadays, art and fashion also can be found in rural life.

Namwamba shares his experience at the Awards Ceremony and Seminar for the Global Short Video Contest

As a PhD in Media and Communication, Namwamba takes the responsibility of breaking the information barrier and boosting international communication by promoting Chinese culture both online and in real life. In 2019, Namwamba’s photographic works “Tell you the story of China” won third prize in the “China-Kenya Friendship” photography contest.

At the first World Youth Development Forum in 2022, Namwamba delivered a speech on behalf of international students in China, noting the importance of full and in-depth communication.

Namwamba delivers a speech at the first World Youth Development Forum

Over the past six years, SJTU has provided Namwamba with a diverse, open and all-inclusive environment to help him experience the beauty of China. The School of Media and Communication of SJTU is dedicated to producing high-quality, professional and comprehensive talents for the integration of media and the innovative development of the industry, as well as for telling Chinese stories and spreading China’s voice. The School has attracted international students from more than 50 countries around the world.

As a messenger of China-Kenya cultural communication, Namwamba will further engage in cultural communication and the construction of China's international communication capacity, making his contribution to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. 

(Originally Published on CHINA DAILY)