Mary-Rose GAYNOR

Student of Deakin University, Australia
Exchange to Southwest University for Nationalities, China

My China experience

I have always had a passion for travel. But I wanted to begin my career so I decided to take time out to study a degree.

During my second year I got the itch to travel again.

I then heard about Study Abroad. I couldn't believe how great this sounded. To travel whilst completing my degree!

As I had been studying Chinese language and had never really heard much about China I decided this would be a fantastic opportunity to experience Chinese culture.

Wanting to get away from the city life I choose to study in a smaller, ‘village like’ town, Chengdu. It wasn't until much later that I found out this ‘small town’ I chose had a population of a mere 12 million people!

This was the beginning of my naive knowledge of this beautiful, ancient culture.

People still ask me the same question, ‘How was it?’

I still don't know how to reply. My experience was unreal.

Although it was only for a short period of time, 4 months, my experience there was much more rewarding than my other travels.

As the only ambassador from my University, and from Australia, I was very anxious. Near to departure I thought, ‘What have I gotten myself into’. People would ask me, ‘Why are you going to China?’; ‘why not?’ I thought. I have always been curious and inclined to take the road less traveled.

Getting off the plane in Shanghai was when it first struck me. This was going to be a challenging experience.

Having to make my own way to meet with the group in Shanghai was my first experience with language barriers and cultural differences.

It was late at night yet somehow, after much hand signaling (which I would later become renowned for), trying to communicate with both the taxi driver (Shifu/师傅) and Chinese students, I eventually made it to where I was staying :)

Here I met my first fellow foreign exchange friends. It was at this moment that I knew, although this is an extremely different culture, with the support from the other students we would all get through it together :)

And we did. We had fun traveling to many beautiful areas, fun when translations just didn't work., fun enjoying the beautiful local food and fun exploring the local night life.

I was very fortunate to meet a great Chinese friend, MengMeng, whilst lighting fireworks on the street to celebrate the spring festival.

Not only did I have a fantastic time, I have also met life-long friends.

It made me more aware of the world, that we are all the same but from chance, the place we are born into can decide what opportunities we have.

From this experience it has made it clear that I really want to use my degree to travel, to work in various countries like China.

To those who are hesitant and not sure about experiencing China, I say, do it! If anything you will walk away having a clearer understanding of this exotic, resilient and beautiful culture.

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