Studying abroad: Dreams come true
Editor’s Note: Azharuddin Chachar is a Pakistani student currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Environmental Science & Engineering at the School of Environmental Science & Engineering (SESE) of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), Shanghai, China. He received his master’s degree in Environmental Engineering at SESE of SJTU. He has spent more than five years at SJTU. He won the Shanghai Jiao Tong University Scholarship for his excellent academic performance in his postgraduate studies. He has attended various international workshops and conferences in China and abroad (Korea University, Seoul, South Korea). He has also published a few high-level research articles as a postgraduate student.
Before beginning his postgraduate studies at SJTU, Chachar obtained his bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering at Sindh Agriculture University (SAU), Tandojam, Pakistan, in 2017, and received the Vice Chancellor’s silver medal with honor. As an undergraduate student, he found joy in academic research. He conducted experimental studies on wastewater treatment and water management practices and soil and water analysis as an undergraduate student. He also conducted his final year thesis project as group leader on the “validation of aqua crop model with experimental data under different irrigation regimes in the SAU campus.”
Why did he choose to study the environment?
The environment is under increasing pressure as environmental problems are increasing due to anthropogenic activities. Chachar observed that wastewater problems were increasing in his hometown and across Pakistan. Wastewater from households was discharged into rivers and lakes without proper treatment and causing eutrophication. He made up his mind to solve this increasing wastewater problem in the future.
Environmental engineering plays an imperative role in the process of environmental improvement. Chachar opted to study this course because he felt that the environment is crucial for humanity.
After learning about measures for environmental protection, the latest technological innovations, scientific research, and the global-ranking of educational institutes, he chose China for his graduate studies. He hoped to pursue a master’s degree at a reputed university in China.
Why did he choose Shanghai?
When Chachar was in the middle of his undergraduate studies, he set a goal to study abroad. He always liked exploring different cultures. He loved Shanghai and wished to visit it one day. When he was in the last semester of his bachelor’s program, he started looking for opportunities at universities in Shanghai.
In pursuing this goal, he visited the websites of several reputed universities offering master’s programs in Environmental Engineering and selected Shanghai Jiao Tong University, one of the leading universities in the world. In the end, Chachar was successful in securing a scholarship position at SJTU for his graduate studies.
Moving to China for a master’s degree
At first, he was excited but also nervous about embarking on this journey. He had never been that far from his family, and not being able to see them for a long time was hard, but it made him more independent. He was a stranger to China. However, as the semester started, he realized that all his concerns were unnecessary.
He quickly adapted to the new environment, even though he had never lived outside his country. He was social, allowing him to open up and create new friendships while exploring completely different cultures for the first time. He made some great friends in Shanghai.
Did he encounter any challenges while studying?
He said the biggest challenge for him was the language barrier, but his Chinese friends and lab mates were always there whenever he needed help and helped him practice Chinese. Chachar has been trying his best to learn the Chinese language and overcome this challenge.
Hang out with Chinese friends
Chachar said his Chinese lab mates are very friendly and helpful. His research group usually has a semester dinner at the end of each semester, where he, along with his professor and labmates, goes out for dinner. Chachar has made many good Chinese friends on campus and outside during his stay, and he hangs out with his Chinese friends to explore different places in Shanghai.
Interest in learning about Chinese culture
Chachar was always keen to learn about Chinese culture. He attended classes and activities arranged for international students to learn more about Chinese culture, including a Chinese painting class, Chinese flute class, Chinese umbrella painting class, and a traditional Chinese dress class. He said that Chinese calligraphy and painting are his favorites, which bring him pleasure and enhance his understanding of Chinese culture and the people here.
He also loves the festive celebrations of festivals such as the Mid-autumn festival, the Lantern Festival, and the Spring festival.
Chachar attended the Chinese New Year’s celebration party in 2021, organized by the School of Environmental Science and Engineering. During the celebration, he got to hear other Chinese students giving a new year’s speech in their native dialect. He also got the opportunity to wish the audience a happy new year in his native language. He also received a New Year’s gift from the school.
He said the Mid-Autumn festival is always fun because he gets a chance to eat delicious mooncakes, specially prepared during the festival. Moreover, Shanghai Jiao Tong University arranges the Mid-Autumn festival every year on campus and provides students with delicious mooncakes. Chachar said the five-nut mooncakes are his favorites among all mooncakes.
Active participation in international conferences and seminars
As Chachar studied for a master’s degree at SJTU, his supervisor always spoke highly of him. Chachar has attended several international and national conferences during his master’s and Ph.D. degrees.
He traveled to Seoul, South Korea, to present his research titled “Soil Selenium Removal: Solution to Pollution” at the 3rd International Institute for Environmental Studies (IIES) Graduate Student Forum on November 11–12, 2019, at Korea University.
He also presented his research work titled “Interactive effects of earthworm Eisenia fetida and green bean plant Phaseolus vulgaris L on the fate of soil selenium” at the 5th International Institute for Environmental Studies (IIES) Science and Policy Workshop, on November 13–14, 2019, at Korea University.
Besides international conferences, he also actively participated in national conferences and symposiums. He delivered a presentation at the 21st Cross-Straits Symposium on Energy and Environmental Science and Technology (CSS-EEST) on November 24–26, 2019, at Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
He also got the chance to deliver an oral presentation at the 4th IIES Graduate Student Forum online, held on March 18–19, 2021. The topics for the presentation, as provided by IIES, focused on answering challenging questions. His topic was focused on bioremediation technologies and their suitability for remote and large-scale applications.
He also wrote a research article for his master’s degree, which was published in a high-impact factor journal (Environmental Pollution). Chachar has published 3 high-quality research articles as the first author or co-author.
Sports activities
Chachar has been very active in sports since coming to SJTU. He enjoys playing sports, like bowling, badminton, soccer, and billiards. He also participated in a soccer tournament organized by SJTU and played for the School of Environmental Science and Engineering team.
Travel
His most remarkable experience in China was during his spring break after finishing the first semester. He went to visit Northeast China (Dongbei), hiked for 8 hours on the snowy Yangcao mountain from China snow valley to the famous China snow town in Heilongjiang province, experienced Harbin’s ice and snow world, walked on the frozen river in Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang province, traveled to explore the outskirts of Jilin city, and visited Beijing, all in 10 days! It was a dream spring break that cannot be topped.
Chachar has been to many cities in China, including Beijing, Jilin, Changchun, Hailin, Wuchang, Harbin, Suzhou, Hangzhou, and Nanjing. Among them, life in China's snow town and snow valley and the beautiful scenery of the West Lake in Hangzhou conquered his heart.
Best memory of studying abroad at SJTU
Chachar was excited to share his memories while studying at SJTU. One of his best memories was celebrating his 25th birthday with friends at Labamba, near the SJTU campus. Another memorable day was a trip to Disney Land with his research group for the day.
How does he like studying abroad in Shanghai?
He loves studying in Shanghai and said that if he had known that he can apply to SJTU for his undergraduate studies, he would have. The professors and classmates he met in Shanghai have all been terrific. He said he is thankful to have met and had them in his network. Chachar has been living in Shanghai for five years. He now considers Shanghai his second home. Chachar likes to walk around Shanghai, so he often goes out on weekends to visit new places.
Chachar is now in the 3rd year of his Ph.D., under the supervision of Professor He Shengbing. Chachar says his supervisor is very kind and supportive. They usually have a weekly meeting to discuss research progress and he knows that his supervisor is always there if he has any problems.
He is working hard to complete the defense of his doctoral dissertation by mid-2024. He plans to stay and work in Shanghai after graduation.