Gabriel STEGER

Student of the University of Melbourne, Australia
Exchange to Peking University, China

As part of the Endeavour Cheung Kong Student Exchange Programme Mobility Grant, I travelled to Beijing, China to spend a semester at Peking University studying Mandarin, Chinese. As a result, my experience in China has afforded me a valuable opportunity for growth.

As a long-term student of Mandarin Chinese, living and studying in Beijing has allowed me to improve my language abilities greatly. At Peking University, I had over 18 hours of language classes each week focusing on the multifaceted aspects of Mandarin. However, my language learning did not stop after the classes. Indeed, living in Beijing meant that I was immersed in an environment where every moment presented an opportunity to learn, live, speak and breathe Chinese. Whether it be setting up a bank account, travelling on the underground, chatting with the owners at restaurants, or conversing with local students, living in Beijing enabled me to learn continuously, and as a result, my Chinese improved day by day.

My time in China has also afforded me the opportunity to deepen my understanding of Chinese culture and society. Much has been said of the rise of China in recent decades. To witness China's growth and how it interacts with other nations is a way to understand Chinese people, their rich and diverse cultures, and their increasingly complex society and politics.

Attending China's top university, discussing local and global politics with students, living in China's capital city, attending post-colonial feminist discussions, or travelling to smaller provinces and cities and interacting with rural people and exploring their unique cultures are all ways for deepening my knowledge towards China. With the grant from Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Awards, I was given a chance to take a closer look into the culture of China. The actual participation into the transnational flows of culture in a globalised world in a way allowed me to reflect on my own society and culture.

Finally, on a more personal level, living outside my home town, away from the familiar people, culture, society and surroundings facilitated my personal growth. I would encounter new situations not found in Australia, interact with people whom I might have never met, or explore my own identity out of the traditional boundaries in my home country. Living in China will undoubtedly be a life changing experience.

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