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Anthony RUMMERY
The University of New England, Australia
Exchange to Shaanxi Normal University, China
I come from a relatively small city in regional Australia and had already finished most of my language degree studies when the Cheung Kong Scholarship opportunity knocked on my door. Since I had never been out of Australia before and was nearing the end of my undergraduate tenure, I felt this was my best chance to put my language skills to the test. And, let・s face it, what a way to end a degree!
When I first arrived in China, my language skills failed me miserably. What・s more, I soon realized just how much I didn・t know about the lifestyle and language of the people around me. I couldn・t make head or tail of anything going on around me, mostly because there was so much going on! The fish had gone in the belly of the whale and was getting increasingly lost with every turn.
However, when I finally made it to SNNU (and what a relief that was, since the traffic was something that must be experienced to be believed), everything started to make more sense. Most of the people I met were very patient and willing to help, especially my teachers. I also made friends with other foreign students, and through them, I regained my sanity.
I cannot say that the whole exchange experience has been completely peachy, but then again, what in life is? As a pedestrian, the traffic in China can be murder. Literally. Side-street markets can leave you feeling suddenly broke as thieves relieve you of your wallet or phone, though constant vigilance and friendly company keep them at bay. Studying is hard, sometimes impossible, as the weight of non-comprehension drags you into a fit of despair that claims so many. However, through redoubled study efforts, asking a teacher for help and maybe a sip of bai jiu (Chinese wine), you・ll soon recover and back to fight another day.
I have also seen some beautiful places. The Wild Goose Pagoda is a mere 20-minute walk from the university. Because my Chinese language skills had skyrocketed since my arrival, I no longer feel deaf and mute in the streets. Again, I must thank my teachers for this.
At the time of writing this memoir, I have only spent half of my total time in Xi・an. Even though the university year finishes for me in Australia in December, I will continue on till the end of the semester. Heck, I would be foolish not to! Although I have made plans to visit Beijing and Wudangshan, I still feel as though I have seen so little. There・s an absolute plethora of historical sites, and I want to experience life in rural China (although I might not have the time at this point.) There is still so much I need to learn, and so much I know I must return to in the future - both personally and professionally. I know I have developed friendships with people here and from other countries that will last for many years to come. I know I need to return to keep my language skills fresh. Hopefully, I can give back to society by being able to spend time as an English teacher in the future.
Invariably, one・s actions create one・s experiences. You could stay in the university and study all the time, but is it truly an experience? Believe me, that type of thinking doesn・t work. There is so much to see and do in Xi・an, let alone China. Get out there and live life as one of the people! Haggle in the street for your favourite sword, use a squat toilet, hit the nightclubs (while the clubbing scene is admittedly cheesy here, it can also be fun). Meet the locals, they will be your guides and give you the chance to practice your language skill outside the classroom. Eat Chinese hot pot, but maybe skip the chou dou fu (fermented tofu), which seems to be a popular street-side snack.
If it weren・t for this scholarship opportunity, I would never have been able to come here and experience any of this, nor would I believe that my language skills would have been good enough for me to become a teacher. Be it material objects or immaterial memories, all of it will be of vital importance the day I step off the plane back home in Australia, knowing that my time as a student now (and a teacher in the future) will not go to waste.
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