HSE University-St Petersburg Student on Peculiarities of Studying in Suzhou and Chinese Cultural Diversity
Vlada Entina, 4th-year student of the bachelor's programme 'International Programme in Business and Economics', spent the autumn semester at Xi'an Jiaotong–Liverpool University (XJTLU) in Suzhou. Read on to learn about the Chinese business environment, campus infrastructure, and travelling.
— Why did you choose Xi'an Jiaotong–Liverpool University?
— I wanted to get to know East Asia: its economy, culture, and traditions. Studies at XJTLU met all my requirements, so I decided to apply. I made the right choice: over six months of the mobility programme, I broadened my horizons and improved my professional skills.
— Did you feel 'lost in translation' when talking to professors and students?
— All the studies were in English, so I blended in very quickly. Daily language practice made me more confident: the fear of saying something wrong or not understanding a person disappeared almost immediately.
XJTLU is an international university which gathers students from different countries. Here, you quickly learn to understand various English accents.
To integrate faster, together with other international students, I attended adaptation meetings. Before the classes, curators organised a campus tour for us; employees of the international mobility office shared the peculiarities of studying at the university and the rules of life in China. They helped us to solve everyday issues: from the use of insurance to transport rentals.
— How is the study process at XJTLU different from that at HSE University-St Petersburg?
— Unlike HSE University-St Petersburg, where your final grade depends on the continuous effort during the whole module, XJTLU mostly assesses you based on the final exam. That is why at the end of the semester, a lot of time is given to the preparation for this exam.
I had a lot of group projects. Thus, in the course on qualitative research methods, I learned how to use virtual influencers in tourist marketing; in the course on financial management, I studied how to manage a securities portfolio. At seminars, I often took part in quizzes. By the way, winners got merchandise and sweet prizes. The campus also hosted an international fair of universities, where, together with other HSE students, we told students from different countries about our university.
The highlight for me was the contest for the best Christmas advertising campaign—my presentation was a sensation. As a winner, I got the book 'China Business Secret' with an autograph of David King, a former consultant of Richard Branson, a famous British entrepreneur.
— What was your daily life like?
— I lived in a single-room apartment provided by the university. It had almost everything I needed, except for the household items like kitchen utensils. I bought it after moving in.
The commute from the dormitory to the educational building took less than an hour by metro. Often, my groupmates and I ordered a taxi: it was faster—just 15 minutes—and more fun.
The university infrastructure turned out to be very advanced. The building is fitted with a ten-storey library, a cinema, six canteens and a cafe with meals to anyone's liking, a sports complex and even a climbing centre.
Among extracurricular activities, I chose a film club and a dance studio, where I learned to dance the Charleston. I was greatly impressed by the plays of the student theatre, especially the musical 'Butterfly Lovers'. It was based on the Chinese legend about two lovers, similar to the story of Romeo and Juliet.
— What landmarks did you manage to see?
— My long trip around China started with a student tour to the city of Haining. Over the semester, together with friends, I visited five cities: Shanghai, Beijing, Nanjing, Hangzhou and Wuxi. All of them, except for Beijing, are two hours drive from Suzhou. It's great for a weekend or holiday trip.
I am convinced: if you are going to China, you must see the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City, enjoy a walk in the traditional gardens of Suzhou, climb the 'Tiger Hill' Huqiu and taste a squirrel fish and authentic Beijing duck.
— What impressed you the most in China?
— I was struck by the symbiosis of digitalisation of many daily processes and careful preservation of cultural heritage for future generations.
A discovery for me was daily group trainings in the Chinese streets. It is a cultural tradition which helps a person express their gratitude to their body for another day. People learn dances, do morning exercises, go jogging or rope jumping, maintaining not just a healthy body but a healthy mind.
— What advice would you give to future participants in the academic mobility?
— Before your trip to China, you should solve all the organisational problems. To keep in touch with your close ones, install WeChat. To travel around the country without limits, get a bank card of an international payment system. Don't forget to free up the memory on your phone: after your arrival in China, you will want to take pictures of everything.
To enjoy the mobility programme, it is vital to strike a balance between studies, rest and travelling. Don't be shy to meet new people. Exchange studies are a rare opportunity to communicate with students from different countries. Remember: they also want to make friends for the period of studies, and maybe, for life.
