Study, travel, explore: an unforgettable semester in China
Olga Kuskina, a third-year undergraduate student in Business Administration, shares her experience of academic mobility in China. The fall semester of 2025 in Shanghai became a time of intensive study, exploring a unique culture, and immersion in local cuisine. From classrooms to cozy bubble tea cafés, each day brought new impressions.
Fall 2025 was a very special time in my life. I had the chance to study abroad in Shanghai through an exchange program at Tongji University. I’ve been learning Chinese for a few years, so going to China was always a dream. The courses at Tongji were the best fit for my program, so I chose to go there.
My first week in Shanghai was exciting, but also a bit challenging. Everything felt very different from what I was used to in Moscow. In China, two apps are essential: Alipay and WeChat. People use them for almost everything. You can pay, send money, order food and message others. Daily life depends on them. One of the biggest problems for newcomers is setting up payments. It can be frustrating, so it’s better to do it in advance. Another important thing is the language. Most locals don’t speak English. It helps a lot to have a translation app and know a few basic phrases.
Even with these challenges, my first day on campus made it all worth it. The campus is beautiful. There are lots of green spaces and tall maple trees. At night, there is soft lighting everywhere. There is a pond with fish, a bamboo grove, and even a small area with cats. Bikes are very popular in China. You can rent one quickly and cheaply. People ride them everywhere, including on campus. There are many cafes and restaurants near the university. You can find Korean, Japanese and Chinese food. There are also many coffee shops. You can get anything from regular coffee to bubble tea. Bubble tea is very popular in China and you should definitely try it. My classmates and I got it almost every day. Jasmine milk tea was my favorite.
Chinese food can feel unusual at first. People eat many things that may seem unfamiliar. For example, I tried beef stomach, tongue and even frog for the first time. My main advice is simple: be open and try everything. China is very diverse and each region has its own dishes. Shanghai is known for its soup dumplings. Chongqing is famous for very spicy hot pot. Hot pot became one of my favorite meals. It is usually a group activity. You get many different ingredients and cook them yourself in a pot of boiling broth. It’s not just about food. It’s about spending time together. People talk, laugh and share the experience. In China, people usually share dishes instead of ordering individually. After returning to Moscow, I realized how much I miss this. It made every meal feel special.
Traveling is a big part of studying abroad. I visited several cities in China. Each one felt unique and worth seeing. The country is very diverse. One day you are in Shanghai. You see skyscrapers and bright lights along the river. A few hours later, you can be in Hangzhou. There, you can kayak on a quiet green lake and enjoy nature. Chongqing feels very different. The city has many levels. You often go up and down without even noticing at first. Traveling in China is easy. You can take a train or a plane. In just a few hours, you can reach a completely different place. Tickets are not very expensive. The class schedule also gives you time to travel.
The people made this experience even better. Locals in China are very welcoming to foreigners. You will likely get many compliments. People may also ask to take photos with you. In general, people are friendly and open. If you speak even a little Chinese, it helps a lot. You can easily make friends. At the same time, you also meet people from all over the world. My program included students from Mexico, the U.S., France, Germany, Brazil, and other countries. The community felt very positive and supportive. I met amazing people who became close friends. We explored the city together. We traveled and spent a lot of time talking. These moments made the experience truly unforgettable. Meeting people from different cultures also changed my perspective. I realized how diverse the world is. I also understood how much more I want to see.
Overall, studying abroad is an amazing experience. I believe everyone should try it at least once. It helps you become more independent and responsible. It also gives you confidence. At the same time, it gives you a sense of freedom. You start to see how big the world really is. You understand that it is open to you. Sometimes, all it takes to change your life is one ticket and a little courage.
