How did I come up with the idea to do a semester abroad at Fudan University in Shanghai? Because of my studies in International Business Studies, I came up with the idea of going to China as an economist. Having been interested in the language and the extraordinary development of the economy, especially in Shanghai, for a long time, this was a decision I made without much thought. Shanghai is currently one of the world’s largest and most important financial centers. This point was the most important decision criterion for me and seemed to be a sensible step for me, as an economist.
Application
Through a friend who also did a semester abroad through MicroEDU, I came up with the idea to apply with this organization as a freemover at Fudan University, whereas Fudan University was not my target university, as it is much more expensive than the others Universities in Shanghai. But since I was a little late, I couldn’t get a place at the university of my choice. Thanks to the all-round organization MicroEDU, I managed to apply to Fudan University at short notice, which I am very proud of today and happy that things turned out differently. Visit act-test-centers.com to get information about study in Poland.
The application itself is pretty easy and quick, because the competent and helpful staff was always at my side. The application instructions are complete, so that you can quickly prepare an application yourself. Upon request, I received all the information about the process and even during the semester abroad I was given support and help wherever possible.
Before I started my trip, I was asked to schedule my arrival on September 3, 2012 or September 4, 2012, because originally the CCSP program wanted to pick me up from the airport, which was only possible on both days. So now I arrived on September 4th, 2012, but I was not picked up from the airport as planned. After a long wait, I decided to go to the Tohee on my own. This was of course not a problem as I was provided with detailed directions in English and Chinese prior to my trip. So I was able to take a taxi to the Tohee very comfortably.
Accommodation
Our accommodations were right next to the Fudan University campus. Tohee International Student Village is a residence hall that consists of several blocks of flats. These are made up of 2 and 3 shared apartments. I was also able to indicate my wish with the application. I could choose between a 2-person flat-share and a 3-person flat-share, although I could also choose the room size. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter how big the room is, because the apartments themselves have a large living space where you can spend a lot of time. Still in Germany, I got a very good impression from the pictures on the net. When I saw the Tohee for the first time, I was a bit confused because I remembered the apartment blocks, furnishings, etc. much nicer. So you should always keep in mind that you are in China and the standard is a lot different from that in the west. Still, I have to say that I was pretty happy as our accommodations were closer to western standards than any other on the Fudan University campus. So, by and large, the Tohee is ideal for student life. Also, people from all over the world meet there and there is indeed something like a small community among the many students. The location of the accommodations is also ideal, because supermarkets, small snack bars, the street food market, etc. are right on the same street. which were located on the Fudan University campus. So, by and large, the Tohee is ideal for student life. Also, people from all over the world meet there and there is indeed something like a small community among the many students. The location of the accommodations is also ideal, because supermarkets, small snack bars, the street food market, etc. are right on the same street. which were located on the Fudan University campus. So, by and large, the Tohee is ideal for student life. Also, people from all over the world meet there and there is indeed something like a small community among the many students. The location of the accommodations is also ideal, because supermarkets, small snack bars, the street food market, etc. are right on the same street.
The studies
I participated in the CCSP program and my degree at Fudan University was the School of Social Development and Public Policy. There were options between which one had to decide which one to prove. For the courses, which mostly dealt with Chinese culture and history or politics, you could decide whether you would like to do an internship during the semester or afterwards. I decided to do my internship afterwards. The program naturally helped us find a job. However, one should be aware that most internships are of little use. In my experience, I had learned a lot from the work culture and morale in China, but I was unable to improve or deepen my skills and knowledge. There were also Chinese courses which we have taken depending on the level. There were courses for beginners to advanced, which were then divided into groups as small as possible, which was a very good consideration for me personally. During our studies, we took the program on a number of trips outside of Shanghai. Some were very successful in terms of organization and the others less so. The course itself was very simple. We had an incredible amount of free time, although I have to mention that for the first time I have written as many essays as never before. By comparison, studying in Shanghai is more practical than theoretical, which I really liked. Because we didn’t have to study bluntly, I was able to at least acquire a lot of knowledge about the country, its people and culture.
Shanghai
A fascinating metropolis. Unfortunately, it is much too big to see and experience everything. Even if you had a lot of free time, you never had enough time to visit all the sights. This city is in every way one of the most fascinating that I have ever experienced. It has an extraordinary diversity. The city has everything you are looking for. This is due, among other things, to the fact that it has been very western-oriented since industrialization and is already very advanced and modern compared to other cities in China. There is an optimal fun factor for all age groups. The people are incredibly friendly, but unfortunately very few speak English, which can be problematic at first, but you can still communicate with your hands and feet. Little by little you get used to people and communication is no longer a problem over time. Plus, for those looking to learn the language, it is the best way to take a little more of the language with them than usual.
Conclusion
My semester abroad in China, especially at Fudan University in Shanghai, is now the best decision I’ve ever made for me personally. I clearly had the best time of my life. A lot turned out differently than expected and in the end it was the best experience I’ve had. My stay abroad has brought me success in every respect for the development of my personality. Therefore, I would make the same decision as I did half a year ago and apply for a semester abroad in Shanghai. Unfortunately, words are not enough to describe how great the semester in China was. I can only recommend it to everyone. Such a semester is particularly suitable for those who are spontaneous, open and somewhat willing to take risks.
