Michael SCOTT

Student of RMIT University, Australia
Exchange to Shanghai University of International Business and Economics, China

The young student leaving the comfort of home in Melbourne for a four month exchange in Shanghai, China saw himself with a great number of challenges ahead, independent living, language barriers, and a whole lot of uncertainty! Only now I wish I could have told this student how amazing that moment is when you push the boundaries and make it out the other side having overcome all those challenges yourself - but only now I know!

My short intense stay in China was nothing short of incredible, offering more than just the chance to study abroad, but the opportunity to develop myself in all facets of life. The people I met and friends I made helped me to open up my mind and see others' lives and cultures from another perspective. Having studied a little Mandarin prior to going turned out to be a huge advantage, although many of my university friends' English was far more advanced than my Mandarin, it was out on the 'streets' that even just a few words went a long way. It was doable to go to university daily without knowing any Mandarin, however this would have limited the experience and be very different to the one I had.

Helping with this experience was my most favourite reply that for the most part got me into more good than trouble: "入鄉隨俗 (rù xiāng suí sú)" translated "When in Rome, do as the Romans do".

My exchange arrangement meant that I was studying business courses with all local students at their main outer city campus in SongJiang (one hour by train from the Shanghai CBD), but I stayed in the dorms in ChangNing District of Shanghai at their international student campus where the majority of the other exchange students had classes. Despite the commute it did offer me the best of both, allowing me to experience life with local students and the joys of expat life too. The university life at SongJiang was mainly centric to eating, drinking, sports, and study, while expat Shanghai life was partying, nightlife, travel and language learning.

Outside of student life I had some time to go travelling out side of the 'megacity' to the countryside and towns such as GuangXi, HangZhou, TaiZhou, AnHui, JinHua and XiTang with international friends and local friends. My friend from Melbourne who was able to get in touch with a local wedding photographer made some of these trips possible and I with him was lucky enough to photograph four weddings and one pre-wedding. The wedding photography took me places I could never have imagined, uncovering so many cultural and social nuances. The funniest experience was being interrupted while I was photographing the bride and groom of the wedding to have my photo taken as a priority! These experiences all ranged in size, purpose, language and my curiosity, which challenged me to push the limits of myself taking me far out of my comfort zone both physically & mentally (its so exhausting to speak and even listen in a foreign language).

My time in China has definitely left me wanting more, and changed myself for the better and I hope for my friends that I spent time with too. Shanghai managed to open my senses to the rest of the world and giving me something that none of those vaccinations they give you can protect against - the travel bug :P I really would like to thank the Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Award, RMIT University, SUIBE and all the friends and family that made this exchange possible, and helping further my own future endeavours.

謝謝!

Michael Scott 邁克

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