Van Duong

Flinders University, Australia
Exchange to Tianjin University, China

Da Jia Men Nin Hao! (Hello Everyone!)

The scholarship exchange to Tian Jin (TJ), China, was sure one eye-opener. This was the first time I experienced being overseas by myself. With so many things to see in the short 6 month stay, Tian Jin just had too much to offer in return.

The weather was awfully hot and humid the first day I arrived. However, after a few months, the weather turned and I saw snow fall from the sky for the first time in my life. The scenes in TJ looked more magnificent than ever what with it being covered in the soft powdered whiteness and all.

Arriving at my dorm for the first time, I found my Chinese communication skills were not at all that bad. However, I yet had much more to learn about their language than I thought. Starting lessons were a challenge. As the teacher spoke all the biological terminology in fluent Chinese, I knew this semester would be one of the most difficult. The curriculum was similar to Flinders University, however, in China, they do not have a single assignment, which I enjoyed! However, the exam was worth 100% of the curriculum, so diligence and hard work were needed in order to stay on top of all the new information coming in each lesson.

I joined in a few international clubs and quickly found out that knowledge of the Chinese language was not preferred as everyone chose to practice their English on me. I found it astonishing how over half the Chinese people I knew had undergone many English exams and some of their vocabulary had already surpassed mine. Everyone both in class and extra curricular activity were more than welcoming towards me with my ‘excellent’ English language skills. Associations I had joined in were Students’ International Communications Association (SICA), the Pool Club and English Corner. The head of these clubs always made sure I was kept busy by helping them hold events. I was invited to many events such as the mid-Autumn Festival, in which I was to sing an English, Cantonese and Mandarin song. An African exhibition expressed how aware Tianjin University (TJU) were of China’s diversity. One of the first events held was an oral presentation called Beyond Borders, in which I gave a presentation in front of over 100 Chinese students about myself as a person, Australian lifestyle, schooling and even love life. They hung onto my every word, which proved that they were all very interested in the English culture.

Authentic Chinese food was entirely different from the Australian interpretation of Chinese food. There were no yumcha restaurants in Tian Jin, which I later found out were a delicacy only in certain parts of China. The staple food was rice and this was an expected order with the main meal. I’ve also had the pleasure of unique tastes, such as dog meat soup, authentic dumplings, biscuits and fish, which you cannot find in Australia.

Transport was not a problem, be it by taxi, bus or bike. All were convenient as they were inexpensive and fast. Main transport was by bike and there would always be at least a few hundred wherever you look. What astonished me most was the number of people.

Shopping is a definite must for any student and with an exchange rate of $Aus1 = 5RMB, there was definitely no complaining! The shopping malls stretched on for streets and streets, unlike the one street long mall in Adelaide. There were whole buildings dedicated to one product (ie: 8 floors of computer products, 6 levels of shoes etc). It would be hard not to find what you were looking for.

Mountain climbing was another must for me as TJ was surrounded by mountains, just as Adelaide is with hills. The mountains I climbed were at least 500m high, yet the path wound for thousands of kilometres. It is almost as if TJ was situated on top of the world when looking down at the scenery below.

On the whole, the exchange to China left me craving for more. I really cannot get over the entire experience. The friendly people, welcoming atmosphere, feeling the busy lifestyle, yet still having the time and freedom to do everything I’ve always wanted left me with the most unbelievably incomparable memories. If ever I had the chance of another exchange, no would never be an answer. As I always said to my friends after each dinner,
each outing to the city, after each event held, or birthday I’ve celebrated, ‘words just aren’t enough to express my feelings for this experience’.

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