Qin Zhixuan, who prefers to go by the Russian name Vladimir, came to Russia as an exchange student from Jiangsu University of Science and Technology to deepen his knowledge of Russian literature at the Faculty of Philology. In this interview, he shares why learning Russian is a challenge for Chinese students and explains how Russian literature helps foreigners better understand the Russian people.

-Tell us about your hometown.

Suzhou is known for its many gardens and parks. Human intervention has not diminished their natural beauty; instead, it has enhanced it. One example is the Lion Grove Garden, with its stone labyrinth decorated by rock formations shaped over centuries at the bottom of Lake Tai. The city’s museums are equally impressive. The Suzhou Museum, for instance, is not only an exhibition space for artworks from different historical periods but also functions as a landscaped park with an artificial pond. Among its exhibits, I was most impressed by the black-and-white feng shui landscapes. In this respect, our cities are similar: Saransk is also a green city with a rich cultural and historical heritage.

-How did you become a student at the Faculty of Philology of Ogarev Mordovia State University?

I came to Ogarev Mordovia State University for a one-year exchange program. At my home university, I study Russian linguistics and literary studies. I saw this as a great opportunity to improve my language skills in an authentic environment while gaining new experiences. Since our universities cooperate closely, joining the Russian language and literature program was a straightforward process.

-What attracts you to Russian literature?

I started learning Russian on my own while I was still at school. I would take a literary work in its original language and translate it with the help of a dictionary. I enjoy exploring different cultures and traveling, but the profound, tragic, and uplifting impact of Russian culture is unlike anything else. Learning Russian is a real challenge for me, and that is exactly what makes it so rewarding.

Among Russian writers, I am particularly interested in the classics whose novels explore the complexities of human life, often in a serious and even tragic way. My favorites include Leo Tolstoy, Fyodor Dostoevsky, and Nikolai Ostrovsky.

-Why do you prefer realistic literature to humorous prose?

These works help us better understand the meaning of life. They teach us how to overcome difficulties and show that a person’s greatest strengths are resilience, kindness, and perseverance. China also has writers with similar themes in their work. One example is Lu Xun, who visited Russia and translated literary works into Chinese. Like Tolstoy, he was deeply concerned about the lives of ordinary people and skillfully used language to express profound ideas.

-What were your expectations of Russia before you arrived?

I was worried that Russians would seem too serious and difficult to approach. In China, people smile frequently, and smiling is a natural expression of politeness. In Russia, people do not smile without a reason. But when they do, you know it is genuine. Today, if we saw a Russian with a typically stern Slavic expression back in China, we probably would not be intimidated—we would simply assume that he is an introvert.

-Why do you think more Russian students are choosing to study in China through exchange programs?

Russia and China enjoy friendly relations, and our cultures share many common values. We respect our elders and value friendship. Both of our peoples have rich national cultures and are known for their perseverance and hard work in achieving shared goals. I believe that is the answer.

The article was published in the «Voice of Mordovian University» newspaper (No. 6 — June 26, 2026).