Editor's Note: Annisaa Prastika Bahdie is an Indonesian girl pursuing her studies in East China's Jiangsu province for many years. Inspired by China's Luban Workshop project operated in her homeland, she aspired to further her studies in Jiangsu to imbue Indonesia with China's ethos of craftsmanship. The following is her story of the past years in Jiangsu.

Annisaa Prastika Bahdie (first on the left) poses for a photo. [Photo/Yangzhou Polytechnic Institute]

My name is Li Limei (Annisaa Prastika Bahdie), from Indonesia. The city of Yangzhou has not only witnessed my academic growth but has also shaped my understanding of my career and life. Six years ago, driven by curiosity about China and my mother's advice to "persevere in doing the difficult yet correct thing", I came to Yangzhou alone.

Today, every aspect of this city has become part of my story. I've incorporated my connection with it into the Luban Workshop project, contributing my efforts to Sino-Indonesian vocational education cooperation.

Yangzhou: A place of learning and growth

When I first arrived at Yangzhou Polytechnic Institute, I majored in Mechanical Manufacturing and Automation. Though initially challenged by language barriers and academic demands, with the dedicated guidance of my teachers at YPI, I gradually adapted to the learning environment.

The teachers taught me professional knowledge and encouraged me to immerse myself in Chinese culture and actively participate in school-organized activities. In class, they often used stories of Chinese mechanical craftsmen to inspire us, and I was deeply moved by their "strive for excellence" spirit. This spirit goes beyond the classroom and permeates every corner of Yangzhou, which is evident in the lives of its people.

While studying in Yangzhou, I was fortunate to intern at Conch Cement Indonesia, arranged by my school. This experience allowed me to witness the work ethic and dedication of Chinese companies up close. Every employee worked meticulously, rigorously verifying each operational detail to ensure precise production. This professional attitude deeply inspired me, helping me realize that mechanical manufacturing is not just about theoretical knowledge but also about rigorous practical application and a commitment to quality. What I learned during my internship went far beyond textbooks, giving me a clearer vision of my future career.

A mission to bridge cultures, nurtured by the Luban Workshop project

With the accumulation of professional knowledge, I gradually understood that I could be more than an international student; I could also be a bridge between Chinese and Indonesian cultures. Yangzhou Polytechnic Institute is promoting the establishment of a Luban Workshop in Indonesia, aiming to bring advanced vocational skills and the spirit of craftsmanship to Indonesian youth through educational collaboration. Witnessing my school's efforts in this project, I felt a growing sense of responsibility to contribute my personal growth to this bridge of Sino-Indonesian friendship.

In December 2023, I was honored to be selected as the translator during a visit by Cao Yumei, deputy director-general of the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education and director of Department of Vocational Education, Ma Wanquan, to Indonesia. In the exchanges with local Indonesian education and business figures, I was not only a language translator but also a conduit for ideas and culture.

Through my translation, both sides could fully exchange educational concepts and visions for cooperation, gradually bridging cultural and linguistic gaps. I saw the boundless potential for Sino-Indonesian vocational education cooperation and felt the far-reaching significance of the Luban Workshop project as part of the Belt and Road Initiative.

The Luban Workshop project has offered countless Indonesian youth the opportunity to learn new skills and has provided me with a valuable platform to participate and deeply understand. As one of its participants, I have attended numerous meetings, witnessing every phase from conception to implementation. Each event revealed the relentless efforts of my school and project team and the meaningful role I could play in this endeavor. These experiences made me realize that education is not just personal growth but a link between Sino-Indonesian friendship.

Annisaa Prastika Bahdie (middle) participates in the Luban Workshop Indonesia faculty training. [Photo/Yangzhou Polytechnic Institute]

The warmth of life in Yangzhou inspires my dreams

Yangzhou is not only a place for my studies but also a home in every sense. In this city, life flows at a warm, peaceful pace, where classical and modern elements coexist harmoniously. In the morning, I can stroll along Slender West Lake, feeling the gentle waves; at dusk, the breeze from the Grand Canal accompanies me as I find warmth in a quiet alley. The warmth of Yangzhou flows through every detail of life, touching each foreigner like myself. I feel deeply that Yangzhou is more than just a city; it embraces people from diverse backgrounds, allowing us to root and grow here.

My life in Yangzhou taught me patience and focus, two qualities I find essential for the Luban Workshop project. Every detail in the project's development requires precision, and each meeting involves thoughtful deliberation. This meticulous approach resonates with Yangzhou's life philosophy, helping me understand that one must approach each task attentively and carefully in both study and work.

Yangzhou has become my home, and the construction of the Luban Workshop has been my dream. I hope to bring the ideals of the Luban Workshop back to Indonesia in the future, spreading the vocational skills and craftsmanship spirit I learned in Yangzhou across my homeland. I will continue sharing my story about Yangzhou with more people, introducing them to China's openness and inclusiveness and helping others see the charm of this city.

My experiences in Yangzhou and the Luban Workshop taught me that dreams are not out of reach; they exist daily and are dedicated to learning and life in every exchange that transcends culture and language. I will carry this belief forward, returning everything I learned from Yangzhou and the Luban Workshop to Indonesia, building a bridge of friendship in vocational education between China and Indonesia. This is not only my responsibility but also my heartfelt tribute to Yangzhou and the Luban Workshop.

Pursuing dreams with a passion for advanced manufacturing

Now, with a deep affection for Yangzhou and China, I continue my journey by pursuing a master's degree in Mechanical Manufacturing and Automation at Yangzhou University. This is an academic progression and a new beginning in my heart. During the construction of the Luban Workshop, I gradually realized that my mission extends beyond academics; it includes bringing advanced Chinese manufacturing technologies back to Indonesia to support its industrial development.

Yangzhou University has become my new starting point on this journey to achieve my dream. My graduate studies allow me to deepen my research in mechanical manufacturing and broaden my technological horizons. Each lab experiment and every discussion in specialized courses gives me a deeper understanding of "advanced manufacturing".

The Yangzhou University professors guided me academically and encouraged me to apply what I learned in practice. I realize that manufacturing is a culmination of technology, a concentration of craftsmanship, and a pursuit of precision. The academic atmosphere at Yangzhou University has reinforced my resolve to master knowledge and apply it to real-world problems, supporting industrial development in my homeland.

At Yangzhou University, I have met many like-minded Chinese friends. Together, we study and discuss ways to transform technology into productivity. These exchanges have not only enhanced my professional skills but also inspired me with the strength and courage drawn from their passion and aspirations for the future. Each time we meticulously refine a technical detail in the lab, I make a wish: one day, these technologies will be used in Indonesian factories, instilling them with the same precision and reliability.

My heart carries an unwavering ideal for advanced manufacturing, like a lighthouse in Yangzhou guiding me toward the future. Yangzhou University's nurturing environment enables me to immerse myself in academic research, and I've come to understand that I can be a bridge of knowledge and culture for others. I believe every classroom lecture and each analysis of experimental data are steps toward the future. I am no longer the naive student I once was; I am now a determined seeker of knowledge, ready to bring the "spirit of craftsmanship" back to Indonesia, filled with dreams and responsibility, and prepared to face future challenges.

Yangzhou is not merely where I study but also where I started my life. In June 2023, I won an award in the "Tell China's Story" Creative Communication International Competition held by the China Foreign Languages Publishing Administration. I used my experiences in Yangzhou to share China's story. In September, I won third place in Yangzhou's "Write Your Yangzhou" essay competition, where I expressed my deep feelings and understanding of this city.

I know this is not only my personal growth story but also a reflection of Sino-Indonesian vocational education cooperation, embodying the international education vision of the Luban Workshop. It has given me a solid academic foundation, an endless space for growth, and a clear purpose. I will continue along the path of mechanical manufacturing with Yangzhou University, the practical experience from the Luban Workshop, and my sincere affection for China. I hope to contribute to Indonesia's industrial development and let Yangzhou's "spirit of craftsmanship" take root and flourish on Indonesian soil.

Annisaa Prastika Bahdie wins rewards at the second "Chinese+Logistics Vocational Skills" International Competition. [Photo/Yangzhou Polytechnic Institute]