My year in China was a very enriching experience. I was able to improve my Chinese skills while also getting to know Chinese culture and everyday life in China.
University life is quite different from what I was used to in Germany. Living on campus makes it much easier to get to know other students and spend time together, as everyone lives in the same area. The university canteens were also hard to beat compared to those in Stuttgart, both in terms of the variety and quality of the food.
The classes were also quite different. They were more similar to school lessons, with regular homework and practical assignments. At the beginning, it was quite challenging to follow technical classes, because they were taught in Chinese. Being able to make small talk in everyday situations was one thing, but following a lecture on a technical subject was a whole different story. Since I made an effort to learn the most important characters and technical vocabulary from the lectures right from the start, it gradually became easier. In the end, the exams were also manageable.
Some of my most memorable experiences were the personal encounters outside the university. I was invited by fellow students to visit their hometowns, which gave me a different perspective on Chinese culture. I also played for our faculty's football team in the university's internal football tournament. I would highly recommend getting involved in activities like this, as they offer another way to experience everyday life on campus and make connections with other students.
The language classes were quite demanding at times, as there was a lot of material to cover. Looking back, however, I am glad they were so intensive, as they helped me improve my Chinese significantly. At the start of my stay, I could only hold limited conversations, whereas towards the end, I found it much easier to communicate with others in Chinese.
I completed my eight-week internship in Shanghai. This gave me the opportunity to experience another city in addition to Xi’an and get an insight into the working environment in China. It was also interesting to see the differences between the two cities and their respective regions. China is a huge country, so there is plenty to discover beyond university life and lots of opportunities to travel.
