A Blog about Education Abroad

Tag: China

  • ALFORD AT ZHEJIANG UNIVERSITY, CHINA

    ALFORD AT ZHEJIANG UNIVERSITY, CHINA

    Pre-departure:

    “If somebody offers you an amazing opportunity but you are not sure you can do it, say yes – then learn how to do it later” – Richard Branson.

    As an individual with wanderlust, I have found it logical to take every chance that comes my way to travel the world. I had never been to Asia, therefore when the Zhejiang University International Summer School was advertised I saw it as a moment fashioned for me. The summer school was offered by the university’s School of Management (SOM).

    (more…)

  • Erich at the Renmin University of China

    Erich at the Renmin University of China

    Pre-Departure:

    Before my departure to the east, I was very much entangled in a thick web of deadlines and administration. Having found out that I was accepted into the summer school program, I was of course overwhelmed with excitement. Following that initial excitement, I realised that we were already half way through April, and that the summer school would take place in June/July, thus putting significant pressure on me to prepare and organize everything. Although being excited once I was accepted, I was somewhat harrowed by the feeling of anxiety knowing that I still had to prepare and sort out my travel plans, visa documents, flight tickets, insurance and all the other necessary formalities. Not until these things were finalised did the feeling of excitement and anticipation really set in. So to help overcome the stress and anxiety that I experienced right up until just a few days before I left, I would recommend:

    (more…)

  • Felix at the Renmin University of China

    Felix at the Renmin University of China

    I am a third year Electronic Engineering student at Stellenbosch University and went to the Renmin University of China Summer School in July 2016. I primarily want to travel, and specifically wanted go to China, to experience the renowned culture shock to become less ignorant of other cultures. I am certain that I came away from this trip with a great appreciation of people and totally new perspectives on the world. No matter how hard we try, we only know what to believe, think and act within the parameters of what we have been taught. So although we may try to enter into a new culture with what we think is an open mind, we can walk away realising just how closed it actually was. I believe it is our unavoidable responsibility as South Africans living in such a diverse country to develop a cultural sensitivity to our fellow citizens.

    (more…)