The air was filled with the sound of firecrackers as Atossa and Nazanin Dehghanbordbar celebrated their third Chinese New Year, which fell on January 29 this year, in Tianjin Municipality. For the sisters, the festivities were no longer a foreign affair—they had become a cherished part of their lives. Together with friends, they wrote Spring Festival couplets, made dumplings and performed the famous Chinese song Jasmine during the Chinese New Year Gala organized by Tianjin University's School of International Education in late January.

"This year, we truly embraced the spirit of the Spring Festival," Atossa said. "It reminded us of Nowruz, the Iranian New Year. Both are about family, special meals and hope for the future."

Nazanin added, "It's amazing how two cultures, so far apart, can share such similar traditions. Family, renewal and the celebration of life—these are universal values that connect us all."

Their journey from Shiraz, Iran, to Tianjin is not just a story of academic pursuit but one of cultural connection, personal growth and the enduring strength of family values. It is an inspiring tale of two sisters bridging two ancient civilizations through resilience and dreams.

Shiraz: city of poets and civilization 

The sisters grew up in Shiraz, one of Iran's oldest and most culturally important cities. Known as the "City of Roses and Nightingales" and the "City of Poets," Shiraz has long been a hub of Persian civilization, art and history. It was the birthplace of two of Iran's greatest poets, Saadi and Hafez, whose works influenced Persian literature for centuries.

"Growing up in Shiraz was like living in a museum of history and art," Nazanin said. The city's gardens, ancient ruins and pulsating cultural life fostered the sisters' imagination and curiosity. Shiraz's openness and inclusiveness, shaped by its proximity to the Persian Gulf, made it a place where ideas flourished and flowed freely.

At home, their parents encouraged this spirit of exploration. Their father, a quiet and introspective electrical engineer, loved poetry, literature and history. He often told his daughters, "Follow your love, do whatever you want." Atossa, the older sister, shares his reflective nature.

Their mother, a philosophy and Arabic teacher with a strong and outgoing personality, balanced this with discipline and a passion for the arts. "Art is better to do next to your work," she would remind her children, encouraging them to excel not only academically but also creatively. 

This blend of intellectual and artistic nurturing shaped the sisters' dreams. They were deeply influenced by their family's values, their city's cultural richness and their own love for history and philosophy.

Why China? 

For Atossa and Nazanin, choosing China as their destination for further education felt like the natural thing to do. From an early age, they were fascinated by the ancient ties between Iran and China, two civilizations connected for millennia by the Silk Road. In school, they learned about the exchanges of goods, ideas and art that helped shape human history.

"When I saw a painting of a dragon in one of my father's books, it sparked something within me," Atossa said. "It made me want to learn about this country that seemed so different yet shared so much history with Iran."

When the time came to choose a country for higher education, their father considered factors like safety, friendliness and future opportunities. China stood out. Its deep history, rapid development and strong ties to Iran made it the ideal place for the sisters to pursue their ambitions.

A mission inspired by loss 

The sisters' decision to study pharmaceutical science was a deeply personal one. They lost their beloved grandfather to heart disease and their mother's aunt to cancer, two tragedies that left a lasting mark on them. "We were very close to them," Nazanin said. "Those losses inspired us to pursue medicine and protect the health of others."

After careful consideration, they ultimately chose Tianjin University in Tianjin, a port city in north China.

"We learned that Tianjin University's School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology is one of China's first international demonstration projects and offers a comprehensive program, from undergraduate to Ph.D., entirely in English."

For the sisters, who did not speak any Chinese prior to embarking on their educational journey, the program seemed like the perfect choice. Tianjin, with its coastal climate and unique blend of modernity and history, also reminded them of their hometown, Shiraz.

Adapting to life in Tianjin 

The transition to life in China was not easy. The sisters struggled with the language barrier and cultural differences when they first arrived. "The first year was tough," Nazanin said. "We didn't know how to communicate very well, and we had few friends." Even the food was unfamiliar. Atossa remembered standing in the campus canteen, unsure of what to order. "I just pointed at something and when it arrived, I didn't even know how to eat it," she said.

But over time, they adapted. They found joy in cooking meals at home, recreating the flavors of Shiraz like saffron rice and hearty stews. They made friends in their lab, built connections with classmates and found mentors in their professors. "We now have a group of friends who are like family. We study together, laugh together and celebrate each other's successes," Atossa said.

But life isn't just about academics. The sisters' hearts beat for music and art—passions deeply rooted in their heritage. "Music and poems are flames that keep the fire of love alive in the world," Nazanin said. Both sisters joined the Chinese Choir composed of international students, and Nazanin also took to the stage as the principal violinist in the university's Peiyang Symphony Orchestra. "Through music, we got to know people from different backgrounds and cultures, and we developed a deeper understanding of cross-cultural communication," Atossa explained.

As they continue their studies and life in Tianjin, Atossa and Nazanin often reflect on how far they've come—from the historical streets of Shiraz to the bustling campuses of Tianjin.

Their story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, the richness of cultural exchange and the enduring strength of family values. BR 

The author works at the Office of International Cooperation at Tianjin University in Tianjin Municipality 

(Print Edition Title: Two Cultures, One Heart)  

Copyedited by Elsbeth van Paridon 

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