The competition, organized to promote the study of the Chinese language and culture, combines tests of language proficiency, public speaking, and an artistic performance. For Huertas, it was also a continuation of a personal connection that began long ago.
He started learning Chinese as a teenager, at age 14, mostly out of curiosity.
I didn't have a specific reason for starting; I just wanted to try something new. Over the years, I developed an identity tied to this language and a deep love for its culture and people.
In 2018, he had already won first place in the national competition for high school students, an experience that shaped his academic path. That competition included a cultural immersion trip to Beijing and Yunnan Province, which, as he puts it, was “a turning point.”
He is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in International Studies and is a member of the East Asia research group. He recently spent a semester as an exchange student at Beijing Foreign Studies University, where he improved his language skills and gained firsthand experience of university life in China.
International competition
The final round of the “Chinese Bridge” competition in China consisted of several stages: a written test, a speech about a Chinese tourist attraction, and an artistic performance.
Huertas chose poetry for his presentation. He recited works by the Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu. “What I like about Chinese poetry is how such linguistic richness can be condensed into just a few words,” he said.
The “Chinese Bridge” contest is an international competition organized by the China National Office for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language, known as Hanban. This contest brings together students from more than 130 countries and is held in three categories: elementary, secondary, and university. For the student, representing Uruguay held special significance.
The program included visits to historic sites, universities, and cultural activities. One of the most memorable moments took place at the Great Wall of China, when students from different countries spontaneously began singing and dancing.
Music, like language, has the universal power to bring people together.
A contribution to your education at ORT
Huertas believes that this experience is relevant to his professional future. In his view, knowledge of the Chinese language will become increasingly important in international relations and the business world.
The competition also allowed him to expand his global network of contacts, with connections in countries as diverse as Mauritius, Vanuatu, and Sierra Leone.
“It’s an invaluable cultural experience and a tool that can help foster future professional connections,” he concluded.
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