In the office building of the Qinchuangyuan Innovation Center, a group of young entrepreneurs are busy negotiating business deals. Among them, a foreign entrepreneur named Anna Samodolova stands out, as she is arranging for several companies in Xi'an to conduct on-site inspections of a large ice cream enterprise in Russia.

The striking young Russian woman's journey to becoming a Xi'an resident dates back to 2019.

Anna Samodolova from Russia currently runs a network company in Xi'an. [Photo/Xi'an news network]

After graduating from high school in 2016, Anna pursued a degree in Chinese-English translation at the Chelyabinsk State University in Russia. In 2019, as an exchange student, she spent a semester studying Chinese at the Heilongjiang University of Foreign Studies in Harbin.

In September 2021, Anna began her master's studies at Xi'an Jiaotong University.

"The university's Chuangxingang campus is simply beautiful. Not only are the facilities advanced, but the teaching philosophy is also forward-thinking. There's a strong entrepreneurial atmosphere here. Every week, the university invites entrepreneurs to share their experiences, and officials from the Xi'an municipal government explain the city's entrepreneurship support policies to us, helping us clarify our thoughts and boost our entrepreneurial confidence," Anna said.

Anna Samodolova learns to play a Chinese instrument in Xi'an. [Photo provide by Anna Samodolova]

Despite her ambitions, setting up a company proved more challenging than Anna had imagined. In January this year, her network technology company officially obtained its business license.

Regarding her company's operations, Anna mentioned that it mainly provides consulting services to friends in various countries, focusing on education, business, and tourism.

To tread the path of entrepreneurship steadily, Anna has decided to settle in Xi'an, becoming a resident of the city.

She said, "It's been almost three years since I came to Xi'an, and this ancient yet modern city has captivated me. I hope to provide more opportunities for foreigners to come to Xi'an to study, work, and travel."