Sonam Wangyel, a 21-year-old Tibetan student, studies at Beijing Jiaotong University, photo from China Tibet Online.

Twenty-one-year-old Sonam Wangyel is a junior majoring in Mechanical Engineering and Automation at Beijing Jiaotong University.

He was born into a family of five members at Jomda County of Chamdo Prefecture, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). He is the youngest of the three children in his family. His mother is soft-hearted and considerate while his father is very strict with them, especially in terms of their studies. Occasionally, their father would even beat them up with a whip if he found them neglecting their studies.

"Thanks to the simple and strict way of education to us, my two elder bothers and I were all successfully admitted to universities, "said Sonam in pride. "My eldest bother works as a civil servant after graduation from Tibet College of Nationalities, and my second elder bother is now studying at Nanjing University."

With the drive of the Western Region Development, Tibet has ushered in a new era and more and more Tibetan parents prefer to send their children to study in China's inland areas. "Parents think it can broaden the horizontal of their kids. Some children go to inland secondary schools after graduation from elementary schools; some go to inland colleges or universitys," Sonam added. "I have been longing to study in Beijing since I was very young."

In 2008, Sonam was admitted to Beijing Jiaotong University. At first, he had difficulty adjusting himself to the new environment due to the lifestyle difference and his bad Mandarin. However, he gradually became active and made more friends with the help of his teachers and classmates. Sonam said happily, "Sometimes, they speak some Tibetan when we talk to each other."

At the weekends, students from Tibet gather together. "We have a lot of fun," said Sonam.

In his spare time, Sonam Wangyel plays basketball on the basketball court where he has made many friends. He likes sports which takes both strength and skills. Sometimes he plays "DOTA", a kind of competitive game. He explained excitedly, "This game can help me think in a new way."

Sonam Wangyel has a clear blueprint for his future. "I'll go back to Chamdo after graduation where there is a promising future and a great demand for skilled personnel. I also consider studying abroad and learn more things if there is an opportunity," he said with a longing look.

The Tibetan youth has become stronger and more mature while studying alone in Beijing. And there are many other youth of different ethnic groups who are studying in Beijing. They cherish the same dream of studying hard for their hometowns' tomorrow.