Zhiwei Zeng

Shantou University, China
Exchange to The University of Melbourne, Australia

Having sat on the plane for about ten hours, I was exhausted when I finally found my room. I fell asleep right after my body reached the bed. About 10:00 pm, I woke up and realized I have never been so far away from my family, my friends and all the things that I was used to. An empty feeling caged me. With no-one I could talk to, I walked out my room, knocking from one door to the other, hoping I could find someone. Then I realized that I had arrived a few days earlier than most of other students. It could be very difficult for me to find some people to hang out. I stood in the corridor, wondering how I should handle this situation.

Then someone opened the door of the stairs. It was a girl with long brown hair, wearing a sleeveless T-shirt. I walked to her without any hesitation because I was desperate for company.

I told her that I was lonely and I needed someone just to talk to. She smiled, telling me not to worry, it was common thing. Then she suggested that I go to a bar with her and some of her other friends from America. I couldn’t see why not, so I did.

However, I did not manage to get into the bar because I left my passport in my room. The security guard would not let me in no matter how hard I tried to convince him that I was over 18. After all my persuasion, I realized I was not in China! They have pretty strict rules in clubs and bars in Australia.

So I walked backed home, all alone by myself, it was about twelve o’clock at night. I was not afraid. Melbourne was quite a safe city, I believed.

A couple of people were sitting around a table on the lawn of Trinity College. I went and asked if I could join them. They were really nice people. It turned out that I had great fun chatting with them. It is never bad to try. Try, and you will make it different.

This half year has been an amazing experience for me. Living in a multi-cultural society like Melbourne, I got to know many interesting friends and cultures from other countries. Living in a predominantly rich place, while having friends who are from the bottom of society, I got to know the cruel facts of our society. I have been learning and thinking, about our society and about human beings.

I have also been contributing. I had three Chinese dancing performances in different places. I gave some beautiful Chinese paper cuts to my friends. I have been trying to show people from different parts of the world something about Chinese culture. Luckily, they like them.

I am very thankful to the Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Scholarship Programme and Shantou University for giving me this chance.

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