Qin Fan

Shaanxi Normal University, China
Exchange to University of Technology, Sydney, Australia

On the Other Side of the Earth

Friends back in China once asked me, “Do people on the other side of the earth stand upside down?” I burst into laughter. I knew they were kidding, but this makes me think of the memories of the last four months.

On this side of the earth, life is different. I got so confused during the first days of my arrival. I collided with people walking towards me even though I know the traffic rules are different here. Catching a 15-minute train to school was an exciting experience, but not being able to hear the name of the station clearly got me fidgeting. Then not being able to find the right exit at the central station and getting lost during campus activities in orientation week drove me crazy. When I first went into class, there was another shock - my classmates were of different age groups, from 20-year olds to those in their fifties, some even older than my parents! Then, while I was struggling during the lecture, trying to figure out what the lecturer was talking about, there came a voice from the back of the classroom asking a question which I couldn’t quite catch. What? Interrupting the class to ask the lecturer a question? I was not used to that. When I went back to my little room after school, there was nobody waiting for me and I had to learn how to cook for myself. Life here has been a challenge for me.

On this side of the earth, life is different but rewarding. It didn’t take me long to adjust to the traffic rules here. “Thanks” and “No worries” are the two phrases I often use in every day conversations. I learnt to know the station by seeing names on the chairs of every station. But it is not necessary now since I am quite familiar with the Australian way of announcing stations. And finding the right platform and exit are no longer a problem since I have learnt to see the signs and ask people for help. That feeling of being nervous about everything I’m not sure of has left me. As for classes, I can totally enjoy them right now. Not only can I follow the lecturers and understand their jokes, I can also propose my questions and join the discussions during a lecture. I also get benefits from exchanging ideas with those elder classmates. Their enthusiasm about study reminds me of an old Chinese saying: “You are never too old to learn.” When I talk to them, I never feel the difference between our ages. They have given me suggestions of some really good local restaurants and resorts. Thanks to them and many other friends, life in Australia has become colorful and challenging. I make the most of weekends by attending parties or travelling around this beautiful land of the Southern Hemisphere.

Another exciting thing about living in Australia is that here you can not only encounter Aussies and Australian culture but also meet people from all around the world. Communicating with people from different regions of the world has opened my mind to seeing myself, my own country and the world differently.

Going on exchange to another country is not only about the exchange of lives but also about a mind-refreshing experience. It is the great treasure of a lifetime. I feel so lucky that I still have another semester to explore life here and I am also grateful for the support from my Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Awards scholarship and both my home and host universities.

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