Caitlin BURNS

The University of Queensland, Australia
Exchange to Shandong University, China

Before I tell you about my time in China, I have to thank the Cheung Kong Group for giving me the opportunity to experience what I did. I’m currently in my final year of a Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Arts course and am weeks away from becoming a secondary school teacher in Chinese and English. The time I spent in China meant that I gained confidence in my language skills. I can’t wait to get into the classroom and share with my students my passion for the language and culture of China.

I went on exchange to Shandong University in Jinan, China last semester…and I didn’t want to come home! Chinese is a difficult language for anyone to learn and after studying the language for nearly seven years, I thought I would be able to survive a semester in China. In retrospect, I think I learnt more Chinese in the seven months I lived in China than in the whole previous seven years! It was an amazing experience. All classes were in Chinese which meant my listening and speaking skills were put to the test from day one. I was even learning when going to the shop for milk!

The people of Shandong are known all around China for being honest and kind and I found that to be true. I arrived in Jinan before the semester started and I didn’t know anyone! The waitresses at a teahouse near my apartment became my good friends and they made sure I settled in, even inviting me to celebrate the mid-autumn festival with them!

I have gained so much from the exchange experience, from learning new studying techniques to making new friends from around the world. I have come through the other side of the culture shock and have a new understanding of other worlds and the people in them.

I would recommend an exchange study to any student who wishes to learn and experience more of life and everything in it.

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