When Karyna Kovalevska, an 18-year-old from Ukraine, first visited China in 2019 as part of a Confucius Institute summer exchange program, she never imagined the country would one day become her second home.

The program began in Anhui province, where she eagerly took on the challenge of learning an entirely new language. Chinese wasn't easy — but it was exciting. "It's so different from Ukrainian or Russian," she said. "It felt like stepping into a whole new world."

Kovalevska was amazed by the kindness and generosity she encountered, even though she was a complete stranger. "It was unbelievable," she said. "I fell in love with the welcoming people, the delicious food, and the beautiful cities. I promised myself that I would come back one day."

Three years later, she kept that promise and returned. Now she lives in Yuncheng, Shanxi province, with her Chinese husband, and she has begun documenting her everyday experiences through short videos on Xiaohongshu (RedNote), Sina Weibo, and Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok).

Her cheerful clips — whether tasting Shanxi's signature dishes, joining villagers for square dancing, exploring traditional crafts, or trying out new technologies — have attracted thousands of followers both in China and overseas.

For Kovalevska, content creation is less about gaining attention and more about sincerity.

"I just want to show the real life I see every day," she said. "Some people abroad still have stereotypes about China, saying it's unsafe or underdeveloped. But the China I know is open, safe, and full of kindness."

Her videos are intentionally simple, with no scripts, capturing genuine moments. "I don't act or stage anything," she explained. "In Ukraine, we are direct and honest. I want people to see how an ordinary foreigner lives in China."

Among her most popular posts are her explorations of local food. She particularly enjoys Yuncheng's famous vinegar, and she often experiments with creative vinegar-based snacks such as sparkling vinegar drinks or vinegar-filled chocolate. "They may sound strange," she said with a laugh. "But they taste surprisingly good."

Her heartfelt posts have been met with positive feedback. "About 95 percent of the comments are full of support," she said. "Some even make me cry — in a good way. People wrote, 'Welcome to China' and 'Wish you and your mom a wonderful life here'. Those messages truly move me."

After living in China for more than three years, Kovalevska says she has developed a deep sense of belonging. "China is my second home — the happiest place I've ever lived," she said. "I'm constantly touched by the warmth, friendliness, and willingness of people here to help one another."

New possibilities

Kovalevska is also fascinated by China's rapid technological progress. She has seen self-driving cars, robot dogs, and the country's first commercial suspended monorail line in Wuhan, Hubei province.

"The country is advancing so quickly," she said. "I truly believe China represents the future."

And by "future", she meant more than technology. To her, China is also a place of hope. "Living conditions for ordinary people have improved enormously over the past few decades," she said. "It makes me feel that as long as you do good things here and work hard, your future can be full of possibilities — and secure, too."

Having visited 26 provinces and 74 cities, Kovalevska has witnessed China's diversity firsthand. From the ancient towns of Yunnan to the modern skylines of Shanghai, each trip has added a new layer to her understanding of the country.

Her next dream destinations include Inner Mongolia, Xizang, and Taiwan, and she plans to keep sharing videos from her travels."Every province and city has its own charm," she said. "I want to show China's beauty and variety to the world."

For Kovalevska, telling China's stories is also a way of expressing gratitude.

"This country welcomed me with warmth and respect," she said. "If my videos can help even a few people understand China better, that would be the greatest reward."

guojiatong@i21st.cn