Exchanges – from the banks of the Mersey to the Grand Canal

Why did you choose a study period in Liverpool?

It’s a good chance to experience different cultures and international educations. It is also the chance to obtain higher level education – Guanhong Chen

Because I want to go to a new place that is fresh and have a different culture. In addition, study abroad to a good school is an opportunity to achieve better education which is helpful to my future career – Long Yi

The UK was my favorite country when I was a kid. The Harry Potter books and British style attract me a lot. Also, being in the UK makes me feel that I am getting closer to the great scientists in human history. I am always looking forward to visiting the University of Cambridge and the university of Oxford, which are the cradles for many scientific inventions  – Yihan Wang

Why did you choose a study period in Suzhou?

I always knew I wanted to study abroad, and China seemed like such an interesting country that I wanted to find out more about, as I knew very little. I was looking for an opportunity to become independent and meet new people. The Chinese culture seemed so different and the idea of living in China for a few short months was very appealing – Lucy Grant

 I didn’t get on to the exchange programs of the universities I applied for initially but did get offered a place in XJTLU. So I thought I would take the opportunity, and it was the best decision I’ve ever made. The fact that the culture here is so different to what I’m used to really makes the exchange a worthwhile experience and I am learning new things (Chinese language/cuisine etc.) that I probably never would have considered if I would have gone to a western university in countries like Canada or America, which is what I originally applied for – Nicole Palmer

It was the most interesting, culturally different option open to me for study abroad – Aelfwin Stone

What are you looking forward to most?

Better education opportunity. In Liverpool, we can enjoy higher education with a large amount of foreigners that can train our English. And it is easier to be closer to many teachers and if I have questions or problem I can just connect with them for solution – Long Yi

Higher level education – Guanhong Chen

It will be a success and great honor for me – Yihan Wang

I am looking forward most to meeting new people, and living in a country so different from my own. I want to learn in a new environment and in a different way, whilst enjoying the culture and sightseeing that China has to offer – Lucy Grant

Being in a country as big as China, there will be so many amazing sights to see, things to do and make the most of in between studying. I love nature so when the weather picks up I am excited to see all the old gardens of Suzhou with everything in blossom – Nicole Palmer

The food, sights and immersion in society so different to my own – Aelfwin Stone

Differences in lectures and practical classes. What took the most getting used to?

Chemistry department in XJTLU has much less students so that we have more opportunities to communicate with tutors – Guanhong Chen

The lecture took most getting used to. As the lecture is provided to native students and it took time to get used to the speed and accent. The lab is similar to what we have in XJTLU. While the environment is different and sometimes communicate with classmates with a little language obstacle – Long Yi

In XJTLU, there are less students for one class. It’s more easy to understand what the lecturers mean. But in Liverpool, I need to spend more time to figure it out. In XJTLU, we used to do experiments in pairs. But here we do it individually. It can be a challenge, but it’s better for us to improve our ability. Also, the tutorials here are very useful. The tutors can help you with the practices, which makes me understand the module better – Yihan Wang

The class size here is much smaller compared to Liverpool, with only 20 in the year, so the atmosphere is different, maybe more relaxed. I think the content is similar to Liverpool. The labs are the most different. I feel it is more of classroom environment in the lab here. I think it took me the longest to feel comfortable reverting to a classroom type setting, rather than a lecture theatre, but now I enjoy the atmosphere in lesson and the relationships that build between the lecturers and students – Lucy Grant

Walking in to the first lecture of the semester was surprising as I was expecting a big lecture hall like we have at Liverpool, it was set up more so like a classroom and all together there are 18 of us in the whole of the 2nd year chemistry class. The classes here are, obviously, a lot smaller and so don’t carry the same formality of sitting in a lecture hall and being talked at for an hour; which is beneficial for the most part because there is more interaction between the students and the professor. The Chinese style of teaching differs, in many respects, to the style of teaching in the U.K., and has taken some getting used to. Having to find examples of theory in textbooks and online independently rather than just referring to lecture notes, which is what I would usually do in Liverpool, has been a good way to solidify key concepts that weren’t as clear to me while being discussed in the lectures – Nicole Palmer

Working with partners in labs, having small class sizes (20 people on average being taught in classrooms instead of lecture theatres), on average a very different style to learning especially from native Chinese lecturers the emphasis seems to be on memorising rather than understanding – Aelfwin Stone

What has been the best bit so far?

Though living abroad is a big challenge, I still survive and get satisfied grades, which is a good self-development – Guanhong Chen

I think the best bit is the new life here. We can have an experience of a new culture and study environment. Teachers and staffs here are very kind and reliable – Long Yi

The best bit for me so far could be my English improvement. Although I still have some problems in some communications, I found that I started to think and speak in a English way. This is what I want to improve when I come to study in a different country. Instead of the old speaking and thinking ways in China, I’m actually learning something here – Yihan Wang

I have made some amazing friends since I arrived, and that has been my favourite thing. I love being able to explore the country with great people who are all wanting to share experiences together. I also love the city where we are staying. Suzhou is very beautiful and there is so much to do – Lucy Grant

The best thing about the whole experience so far has been meeting people from not just China but from all over the world. For instance, one of my flatmates is from Nepal and the other from Tanzania, they are both amazing girls and we get on very well. It has been lovely sharing funny stories, talking about our different cultures and finding things we have in common, having made such strong friendships has made the feeling of missing home less prominent – Nicole Palmer

The social aspect of the accommodation, having a friendship group made up of people from so many different countries and backgrounds means it is impossible to be bored and there is never a moment with nothing to talk about – Aelfwin Stone