Yinuo (Sem 2, 2022)

My Exchange at Fudan University

I am studying a conjoint degree in Engineering (Honours) and Science. My specialisation in Engineering is Software Engineering, and my major in Science is Mathematics.

During the Open Day of the University of Auckland in 2019, I learned about the 360 International Exchange Program. As a conjoint student, I can only exchange in my second or third year. I have applied for the Semester Exchange in 2021 Semester 1 and 2021 Semester 2. However, due to COVID-19, the program was cancelled at that time. Then in 2022 Semester 2, I participated in the 360 International Exchange Program for the semester exchange to the Fudan University in China.

When I first arrived at Fudan University, I was struck by its openness. My exchange took place when China had a lockdown policy due to COVID-19, and most universities did not allow students to leave their campuses. However, Fudan University has never closed its campus. It allowed students to enter and exit the campus freely.

Due to COVID-19, Fudan University did not provide us with on-campus accommodation. I lived outside the university by renting.

The Orientation at Fudan University was great. The staff of Fudan University introduced Fudan University’s grading scale, course information, and the facilities on campus to us. Afterwards, we received the ID card of Fudan University and went on a School Tour.

I think the standard of teaching at Fudan University is very high. It has the best professors and most intelligent students in China, and I have significantly benefited from studying with them.

China has developed very rapidly in recent years. Shanghai, one of the most developed cities in China, has a strong sense of inclusiveness and openness. The cost of living in Shanghai is very high, but it is similar to the living cost in Auckland, as the exchange rate for the RMB is much lower than the NZD. During the exchange period, I visited the Zhujiajiao scenic area, the Bund, Lujiazui, and the Oriental Pearl in Shanghai.

Campus life is busy and fun. Every day after lectures, I would go to the North Canteen for lunch. The North Canteen offers a wide range of dishes from all over the world, such as Angus burgers, roast duck, dumplings, and noodles. After lunch, I could study in the study room of the North Canteen. When I finished my homework, I could also take the school bus to go swimming in the swimming pool at the Jiangwan campus.

The biggest challenge I encountered during the exchange was choosing the courses. As I didn’t know much about the Chinese teaching style before, I chose a class that didn’t suit me, and I felt very difficult to study it. Eventually, through relentless effort, I passed all the courses at Fudan University.

Overall, the exchange life is short and exciting. After my exchange at Fudan University, I learned about the different cultures and teaching styles, which has benefited me greatly. My advice to students thinking about the exchange programme is: Find the country and university you like first, try to learn more about its culture and courses, then be brave and apply for the programme, and you’ll make it!

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Q&A

What were some of the highlights of the academic experience at your host university?

The teachers at Fudan University are highly qualified, conscientious and responsible in class and willing to answer questions afterwards. We have teaching assistants for each course, and the teaching assistants are also very nice. Sometimes I emailed the teaching assistants late to ask questions and received a quick reply from them.

Would you recommend any particular activity/activities unique to your host country or university?

I recommend Fudan University’s mooncake-making event at the Mid-Autumn Festival. Through this activity, we could meet many new friends and learn more about traditional Chinese culture.

What are your top 3 tips for future students attending your host university or going on exchange to your host country?

1. Make as many friends as possible during your exchange. They will be an asset to you.
2. Study hard and try to catch all of the lectures. This will enable you to get good grades.
3. Studying is not everything. Spend your time travelling and experiencing different cultures after classes.

How much did you budget for your exchange? Was this enough? Were there any lessons learned that would help future students budget for their own exchange?

I have a budget of NZ$10,000 for my exchange. This budget is sufficient for one semester in Shanghai. I advise future students to have a budget of NZ$12,000 for one semester.

What are your most significant takeaways from your experience abroad?

My biggest gain during the exchange was learning about the differences between Eastern and Western cultures and becoming more independent. Before the exchange, I had not lived alone away from a familiar city. This was the first time I had left my family to live independently in an unfamiliar place, which was a big challenge for me.

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