Maddalena Pilla

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

Studying in China has been a dream I have had for many years. I have always been interested in many aspects of China and Chinese culture, ever since I started studying Chinese in primary school. When I received the wonderful news of being awarded a Cheung Kong Scholarship to study at Tsinghua University in Beijing, the feeling was breathtaking! A dream come true!

I was extremely excited during preparations for the exchange, however a little nervous at the same time. The exchange meant that I would experience many new things; my first time overseas, my first time on a plane, and my first time living away from home. I expected to face challenges along the way; however, I was extremely motivated to make this adventure one to remember!

My mother accompanied me to Beijing, and when we arrived the erratic taxi driver from the airport was an interesting welcome to a new life! I quickly learnt that road rules do not really apply, and that I was living in a huge and busy city! The next day I felt as if I had landed in a new world when traveling to Tsinghua University for the first time, such a strange feeling when so much seems unfamiliar, and that I was a foreigner. Somehow, a feeling I had been longing for.

After the second day of walking around Tsinghua University, I realised that purchasing a bicycle would be the only way to survive on such an enormous campus. Numerous multi-storey dormitory buildings, tennis courts, basketball courts, sports stadiums, dining halls, gourmet restaurants, supermarkets, and the list of facilities on offer was endless. The university consisted of students from all over the world, and with most of them living on campus; many long distance friendships were formed. Sharing a room on the 8th floor of an 11-storey dormitory building, with a fellow classmate from Adelaide, soon became my new life and new home.

At Tsinghua University I studied Mandarin Chinese; studying courses associated with Chinese Writing, Speaking, Intensive Reading, Current Affairs, and Calligraphy. I also took classes to learn traditional Chinese martial arts, as well as a Chinese musical string instrument called an “Er Hu”. Millions of Chinese people strive to study at Tsinghua University, and I feel very honoured and privileged to have been a student there. Tsinghua offers an amazing education and equally amazing life!

Classes and meals with just as many different nationalities as people present were a common occurrence; and it is incredible how friends almost immediately become family. Every meal was a gathering, and a chance to explore new tastes. Traditional Beijing duck, dumplings, noodles and hot pot amongst my favourites! Riding my bike, catching the subway and taxis, eating out for every meal, market shopping, pollution, crowds, having a Chinese name, studying and practising Chinese in China, all were once new for me, but became part of everyday life and something I was used to.

Beijing offered an extensive array of sites to explore, my all-time favourite being the Great Wall! During my time in Beijing I visited sites that I had read about for so many years, such as the Temple of Heaven, Beihai Park, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Old and New Summer Palaces, Panda at the Zoo, and Mutianyu and Badaling Great Walls, as well as seeing some of the transformation of the city to host the 2008 Olympics. Incredible tourist sites and spectacular Olympic venues!

While living and studying in Beijing I was fortunate to have the opportunity to travel to other cities and well known tourist destinations, such as Shanhaiguan, Shanghai, Tianjin, Xi’an, Guilin, and Yangshuo. Each location expressed a different aspect of Chinese culture and history, and I loved it all! Witnessing the history of the Terracotta Warriors and natural beauty of Guilin, and staying in a traditional Chinese house, “siheyuan”, were amongst some of the things I had always dreamt of doing. I also experienced my first Christmas and New Year away from home, first time seeing snow, as well as my first Chinese New Year. Making dumplings with children at an orphanage in Beijing for the celebration is a memory I will hold forever.

China has a large part in my heart and I hope to return one day, perhaps to pursue an Engineering-Chinese related career. My exchange to Beijing didn’t just change my life for 6 months, but has changed my life forever. I loved every minute of it, and would definitely do it again. I would like to thank Tsinghua University, Adelaide Abroad and the Cheung Kong Scholarship Programme, for making my dream come true.

© Copyright 2018 CK Group. All rights reserved.