Sage Othams

The University of Adelaide, Australia
Exchange to Tsinghua University, China

Having only just begun my six-month exchange to Tsinghua University, Beijing, I can’t yet offer much advice for prospective students. I can however offer this: go with an open mind and no expectations and you will have an enjoyable and memorable experience. Whichever country you go to, whatever university you end up at, things are never going to be “just like home”. There is always going to be new things experiences and new cultures to become accustomed to, so you need to be open to all that is new.

I arrived in China three months ago and have thus far had one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Before my exchange began, I spent six weeks backpacking solo across China and got to see so much of this country’s wondrous and ancient culture. Traveling from one destination to the next by train and bus allowed me to mingle with the people and practice my Chinese before starting the university semester. My first stop saw me experience the mass crowds and modern skyscrapers of Shanghai, not to mention the European architecture left over from earlier European occupations. Following this, I spent a week with a friend’s family in Guangzhou, which allowed me insight into the daily perspectives of both the older and younger generations of Chinese people. They also exposed me to a broad range of different foods I would never have ventured to try on my own accord. From here I crossed the border to Macau where I was treated to the unique blend of Portuguese, Chinese and Western culture, food and architecture a t makes it so different to the Mainland. In Guangxi, I walked the cobblestone paths that wind through the rice terraces lining the mountainside and viewed the Zhuang Minority in their daily garb. Other destinations saw me awed by the beauty of Yunnan’s rugged snow-capped mountains, rice fields, rural villages and desert plateaus. Here I stayed in the ancient town of Lijiang, full of tile roofed, wooden old-styled Chinese houses and shops that meander along numerous canals.

During the course of my travels to Zhongdian (Shangri-la County) in Yunnan, I met two Japanese students also studying in China who granted me the pleasure of accompanying them for a few days. Not only did I get to see the monks at the Tibetan styled Sumtseling Gompa with them, but I also learnt a lot from the two. They often spoke of Japan, their nation’s view of China, their history with the nation and Japan’s own relationship with the rest of the world. Then, following this, I was fortunate enough to spend time with another friend and her family during the Chinese Spring Festival and New Year celebrations. I was welcomed warmly into their lives and allowed to experience Chinese New Year from a family’s perspective. It was interesting to see their town in preparation for the important event, then to actually witness and partake in their traditions.

Had I not decided to participate in an exchange, I would never have had the opportunity to backpack across China and experience what I have thus far. It has made me realize that is there is more out there than just Australia and showed me what it is like, firsthand, to live in a developing country.

During my travels and the past month at Tsinghua, I have also made so many friends and contacts from all over the world. The corridors during break are lined with almost every nationality of student you can think of, all there with the common purpose of learning Chinese. Classes, taught only in Chinese, are challenging and intensive, which I’ve found has already made a difference in my ability and confidence in using the language. Each week I partake in twenty hours of classes and am enrolled in a one and a half hour calligraphy course, once a week, which is interesting and taught by a Master Calligrapher. Again, no English is used, forcing me to focus hard on Chinese and being able to use it to successfully communicate with others. Not only have the classes helped my Chinese, but I live off campus and am able to practice in everyday undertakings, such as buying food at the bustling and crowded fruit and vegetable market, ordering dishes at our favourite little restaurant and bartering with clothes and souvenir vendors

Participating in an exchange has taught me so much and has been such a rewarding and eye-opening experience. I found I have grown as a person and have expanded my network of friends. I have been exposed to the people and the culture of this country and am more aware of the world outside of Australia. So while I am here to study and better my Chinese, I am also here for the cultural experience. I definitely recommend others thinking about an exchange to give it a go. It is a worthwhile and unforgettable experience.

Lastly, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Scholarship Programme for giving me the chance to fulfill a dream in coming to China to study and for what I have been able to experience here.

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