Eva Kelly - Experience China, Huangshi, China

Experience China 2024

“Experience China was a truly unforgettable experience; every day was an adventure, a chance to embrace Chinese culture and immerse oneself in a totally different way of life, whilst making memories I will cherish forever.”

Memorable moments

From the moment we arrived at Wuhan Airport, we received the warmest of welcomes from the Hubei Normal University staff and student volunteers, and that in itself was a very special and memorable moment.

Visiting the Baekdong Gorge karst caves was a wonderful experience and a very memorable day. We first walked through the magnificent caves, which led us to scenic views of the surrounding mountains at the top. We then zip-lined down the mountains, which was a totally unexpected surprise and an experience I will never forget.

There were many more memorable moments throughout the trip, including karaoke on the coach, climbing the Great Wall of China, and integrating with the students of Hubei Normal University in various classroom activities, including paper cutting, embroidery, music, and dance.

Comparing campuses

The most notable difference between the two campuses is the sheer scale of Hubei Normal University in comparison to the Ulster University campus in Coleraine, with over 20,000 students living on campus at Hubei Normal University.

It was also interesting to note that whilst studying at Hubei Normal University, students must live on campus for the duration of their degree, whereas in Northern Ireland, it is common for students to rent a house outside the campus grounds with their friends in the second, third, and fourth years.

The campus was situated around a beautiful, transparent lake with many school buildings, a herbarium, and a much wider array of sports pitches than the Coleraine campus. However, in comparison to Ulster University, the buildings and lecture theatres at Hubei Normal University were slightly less modern.

Learning a new culture

Traditional Chinese cuisine was notably different from the food we would eat at home. All dishes were served on a turntable and shared between everyone at the table rather than having one dish to yourself. I really liked this, as it was nice to try a variety of dishes at each meal.

Eating with chopsticks was a clear difference in culture, but we all got used to the chopsticks rather quickly, and I think it's fair to say we all much preferred the chopsticks as opposed to knives and forks by the end of the trip!

Fresh fruit was often served alongside the meals, and sticky rice was served with almost every meal. Notably, the Chinese do not cook or eat many dairy products; milk was often soy-based, and the cheese was also lactose-free. Additionally, instead of having cold water with meals, hot water or tea were the common beverages served.

As well as the food, a lot of Chinese citizens travel from place to place via bicycles and mopeds rather than cars and tend to lead quite active lifestyles.

Challenges while abroad

Due to having coeliac disease, the food presented the main challenge for me. The majority of Chinese food is cooked in soy sauce, which is not gluten-free. However, the Go Global Leaders and volunteers from Hubei Normal University always made sure I had plenty of gluten-free options and were excellent in supporting me and liaising with restaurant staff as to which dishes I could eat. It was just a shame I could not try all of the delicious-looking meals placed on the table!

The language barrier was also a challenge, but the students and staff from Hubei Normal University were always there to help us and were brilliant teachers, aiding us in learning a little more Mandarin every day.

Getting used to the very hot weather was a challenge too. At times, we were in 40-degree heat, weather I had never experienced before. Purchasing UV-protective umbrellas definitely helped to shade us from the sun.

Making friends

Being a naturally shy and timid person, it was quite daunting to think I’d be going to China for two weeks with a group of 21 students, none of whom I knew before departing. However, it didn’t take long for us all to form a close bond and lasting friendships. Everyone was very supportive of one another, and we all made sure each of us enjoyed every moment of our time away and embraced every aspect of Chinese culture.

We all came from different walks of life and study a wide array of subjects, but the bond formed between us was very special and something that could never be recreated. We all experienced the trip of a lifetime, and we will always have that in common. Not only were strong friendships made between the students of Ulster University, but also between ourselves and the students of Hubei Normal University, who welcomed us so warmly and showed such enthusiasm and joyfulness towards us.

Advice

Travelling to a foreign country with a group of unfamiliar faces may seem very daunting, especially if, like me, you’re quite a shy and quiet individual. However, embarking on a Go Global journey was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in China, experiencing the culture and meeting the most amazing and down-to-earth people. The trip has given me a zest for travel and an eagerness to experience other cultures in the wonderful world we live in.

Every day was an adventure and a chance to broaden my horizons and experience a totally different way of life. I have really developed as a person in terms of confidence and independence and am so grateful to have been granted the opportunity to partake in the Experience China Programme 2024.