Enjoying my life in SZ

I’m Margarita Kotliarova, a 19-year-old student from Moscow, Russia. I moved to Shenzhen in 2023 to study biology at Shenzhen MSU-BIT University, and honestly, these two years have passed in the blink of an eye.

What brought me here? It was the unique learning environment my university offers. I was also deeply interested in living in a modern and fast-growing city like Shenzhen. Before coming, I read a lot about the city, and I couldn’t wait to see it with my own eyes.

When I first arrived, the city completely amazed me. If I had to compare it to another place, it reminded me more of cities in Southeast Asia like Singapore, where nature and innovation coexist in harmony.

To my surprise, adapting wasn’t difficult at all. Everything was just unfamiliar at first, but that feeling didn’t last long. Shenzhen quickly became a place I felt comfortable in.

I live in Longgang District, which is a bit far from the city center, but I actually love that. It’s quieter, more relaxed, and feels very authentic. There’s a great balance between modern high-rises, cultural spots like the artist village, and even some traditional architecture. One of my favorite places is the Shenzhen Universiade Sports Centre. I went to an Imagine Dragons concert there once — such an unforgettable night! The area also has a lovely park and mall where I often go with friends.

Although I’m still an undergraduate student, I’ve already started helping with a research project on marine ciliates found on Shenzhen’s littoral. It’s an incredible opportunity to contribute to real scientific work so early in my academic path.

Beyond academics, I’m very active in volunteering. One of my favorite experiences was traveling to western Guangdong to learn more about local culture. It was such a rich and eye-opening experience. I really hope to keep exploring more of the province.

I’ve made many Chinese friends here. I genuinely enjoy connecting with locals, practicing the language, and exchanging ideas. Of course, I also have international friends. Shenzhen is such a diverse city that it’s easy to meet people from all over the world.

What keeps surprising me is how full of greenery Shenzhen is — everything seems to be surrounded by trees and flowers, even in the middle of the city. I’ve never lived in a place where I could get to the sea so quickly — it’s amazing.

In my free time, I like to draw, read, go to the gym, and run in the park near my university. I also manage my social media accounts, where I share my daily life in Shenzhen and introduce cool places I discover.

I plan to stay here for at least two more years, and I’m really happy about it. I hope I’ll have the chance to work in Shenzhen in the future as well. There’s still so much to explore — and I feel like my journey here is only just beginning.