(3) My Maiden Train Journey

Under the guidance of the airport staff, we boarded a bus and made our way to Guangzhou Railway Station. In anticipation of our journey to China, we had undertaken considerable planning. We had contacted several compatriots who were already studying in China, with one of them based in Wuhan being our primary destination. Our first leg of the journey would involve taking a train to Wuhan. At Guangzhou Railway Station, another compatriot had arranged for his Chinese friend to pick us up. This young man, with exceptional command of English helped us purchase the train tickets to Wuhan, and accompanied us inside the station. This encounter introduced us to the hospitality and smartness of Chinese people. It was also our first exposure to the bustling crowds at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and Guangzhou Railway Station. The sheer volume of people in China was truly overwhelming. As we bade farewell to Guangzhou, we embarked on a new chapter of our adventure.

This train journey was a first for all of us. Our Chinese friend had reserved the sleeping berths, which made us to believe, for quite some time, that train travel in China always involved lying down. The sight of Chinese passengers taking the upper berths astonished and intrigued us, and we couldn't resist stealing glances at them. To our surprise, they were doing the same, secretly observing us. As a result, we pretended to engage in casual conversation to mask our curiosity. Initially, we felt somewhat uncomfortable lying down, and it took some time before we finally reclined. Since we were unsure of when we would reach our destination and believed Wuhan was relatively close, we remained alert, expecting to disembark shortly. 

Eventually, we approached a train attendant and informed him of our planned arrival in Wuhan, asking him to remind us when we reached the station. Over time, we observed the minutes pass in our berths, with no attendant coming to inform us of our arrival. Fearing the attendant might not understand our request and worried he might forget about us, we made several trips to locate him every time the train stopped. To avoid embarrassment, we took turns approaching the staff, and this continued throughout the night. In the end, the train journey stretched into the next noon before we finally reached Wuhan. When we arrived, the train attendant promptly informed us, and we couldn't help but feel apologetic. We had not only kept ourselves awake for an entire night but also inconvenienced the train attendant. It was during this journey that we truly comprehended the vastness of China.

(4) A Way Out of the Railway Station

Upon our arrival at Wuchang Railway Station, we disembarked with the crowd only to find ourselves unable to locate the exit. The station was colossal, teeming with a throng of passengers. Initially, we followed one group, but as we walked, the exit remained elusive. We became certain we were following the wrong crowd. Thus, we retraced our steps and followed another group, only to find ourselves similarly disoriented, still unable to glimpse the outside world. Anxiety crept in as we worried about our misdirection, so we returned to our starting point. Deciding that one person should stay with the luggage while the other two ventured to find an exit, I was one of the two persons tasked with finding a way out. We traversed both directions for a considerable amount of time but failed to reach the exterior. Regrettably, we found ourselves at a loss and returned to our gathering place. At this point, the surroundings were almost deserted. 

As we pondered our next steps, a middle-aged man approached, pushing an empty cart, and began speaking to us in a string of words. Unfortunately, we didn't comprehend any of it, but we surmised that he was likely a luggage service provider similar to those at the airports in Somalia. We nodded our heads, handed him our baggage, and followed his lead. We walked a short distance, entered an elevator, and ascended to the second floor. Upon emerging, we were relieved to find more people and finally glimpse the outside world. It was then that we realized that we had been wandering aimlessly on the underground first floor of the station. This station had two levels, and we reproached ourselves for not taking the stairs or an elevator earlier, like the others. We were unfamiliar with how to pay him, having no knowledge of the denominations of the Chinese currency. Displaying bills of varying colors, we handed them to the service provider and allowed him to select the appropriate amount. After he took a bill, he unloaded our luggage and departed. We then hailed a taxi to our compatriot's home.

Prior to getting into the taxi, we called our compatriot and asked him to inform the driver of our intended destination. The driver commenced our journey, displaying eagerness to engage in conversation, speaking incessantly. However, we remained incapable of comprehending a single word. The driver later noticed our awkwardness and anxiety, and fell silent, focusing on driving. We quickly became captivated by the scenery outside. Although the journey progressed unhurriedly and the road was wide, traffic was heavy. Lined with trees and various greenery, the roadside was filled with bustling pedestrians at traffic signals. We watched the scenes with rapt attention, observing people on bicycles and motorbikes.

In less than an hour, we arrived at our compatriot's home. They had prepared a sumptuous dinner for us. As we shared our meal and recounted the mishaps of our journey, our compatriots burst into hearty laughter. In the midst of their laughter, my apprehension subsided. Although our path remained uncertain, and the language barrier was an obstacle, we had successfully taken our first steps into China.

(5) A Twisty Path to Enrollment

We arrived in Wuhan in mid-November when schools are about to have winter break, therefore the admission of new students was an unlikely prospect. However, we were unaware of this, but single-mindedly determined to reach China as soon as possible, feeling impatient to the point where waiting even a day was out of the question. As a result, we disregarded the advice we received, which has now led us to a conundrum regarding enrollment. If we fail to enroll within a month, our visas will expire, and we will have to return home. This outcome would be unacceptable to us. Fortunately, Wuhan boasts numerous higher learning institutions, reportedly second only to Beijing in the number of universities. Secretly, I kept my fingers crossed, hoping for a stroke of good luck. Our compatriots took turns guiding us to various universities for inquiries. During this search, we learned that Central China Normal University was willing to accept us for Chinese language studies, thus securing our stay in Wuhan.

Upon reaching the university, we navigated the enrollment procedures and underwent mandated medical examinations at a designated hospital before we could extend our visas at the immigration office. The entire process took approximately a week to complete. The fees, which included tuition and accommodation, were reasonable. With the support of our fellow compatriots, the whole experience proceeded smoothly. After successfully extending our visas, the weight that had been carried on our shoulders was finally lifted. We were now officially Somali international students at Central China Normal University!