Twenty one year-old Brazilian college student Tomaz Mefano has some experiences that many of his peers can only dream of.

After spending a year studying in China, a country whose language and culture are completely different from those of Brazil, Mefano is now competing in a Chinese language contest -- the Chinese Bridge international Mandarin competition.

Mefano's interest in the Chinese language and culture started when he was still a child and practiced tai chi with his mother.

"My parents liked independent movies, and once in a while there was a Chinese one," said the Rio native. "I also played guitar and clarinet, and was very interested in Chinese musical instruments."

So, when an opportunity to study in China came, Mefano decided to forgo more orthodox destinations such as Australia and the United States. He arrived in China's eastern city of Chang Zhou in Jiangsu province at the age of 16, where he was enrolled in a public school for a year.

"I was the only foreigner among all 5,000 students," said Mefano, who lived with a local family during his stay in Chang Zhou.

The experience in China has left a much deeper impact on Mefano's life, which changed his career goals dramatically.

Mefano said he had wanted to be a musician, but after the trip he changed his mind and decided to work on international relations, "especially Brazil-China relations."

"I want to work with international organizations, which not only deal with diplomacy and trade, but also with cultural and academic development," said Mefano.

Following his dreams, Mefano passed the exams for Rio de Janeiro Federal University and became a student in the International Relations. His father had promised to buy him a car and instead Mefano preferred a two-and-a-half-month trip to China.

By that time, Mefano had won the third place in preliminary competition of the Chinese Bridge contest in Brazil. He was then allowed to attend the international phase of the contest as an observer during his trip.

In his second attempt, Mefano won the championship in the Brazilian phase of the Chinese Bridge, and will represent his country in the international phase this July.

Mefano is very excited about returning to China. He is determined to make a good performance, and for him, winning the contest is not the most important thing.

"For me, just competing against so many people, from so many countries, who also speak Chinese, is already a very interesting thing. It is like an encyclopedia of knowledge," he said. 

"But of course, as a representative of Brazil, I will do my best. I will give everything I have," he added.