Baoding, Hebei - "Today we graduated. Many of us will leave China and return to our countries, but we love China. Forever and always," Anna, a student from Russia, said at Hebei University's graduation for overseas students from six countries on June 21.

Anna first traveled to Beijing at the age of 17, when she made her decision to learn Chinese. In 2008, she and her sister began their five-year Chinese education at Hebei University.

"In the past five years, besides Chinese language, I also learned about Chinese food, festivals and culture," said Anna, who is planning to find a job in China.

Another student from Japan agreed with Anna, saying that China is seeing rapid development and he is looking for a job that will allow him to travel to China, or at Japanese companies with branches in China.

A student from Mongolia expressed her plan to teach Chinese in her country and introduce China and its culture to her compatriots.

As one of the earliest colleges to enroll overseas students, Hebei University began to enroll foreign students from 1965. Currently it enrolls more than 300 overseas students a year. The number of overseas student nationalities has reached 50.