Coming to HUST in Wuhan for Summer School was truly a journey full of surprises and new experiences. As a Malaysian Chinese, I’ve been learning Chinese since primary school, so communicating with the local volunteers was quite smooth for me, and they were even a bit impressed that I could switch between Mandarin and English so easily!
The biggest culture shock that I experienced was how resource was being handled. In my university in Singapore, WiFi, hot water, drinking water, and electricity are all commonly bundled with the cost of accommodation. But here, I was charged separately for each of them. It was a bit confusing initially but I came to adapt to it eventually.
Despite that, Wuhan gave me so many great memories. Visiting 黄鹤楼 was definitely a highlight. I was surprised to learn that the current tower is actually a reconstruction, and it’s been rebuilt several times. I really admire how the Chinese government continues to preserve and honor such heritage.
Another unforgettable experience was exploring 户部巷，the famous food street. I tried so many local foods like hot dry noodles, stinky tofu, and doupi. What’s even more interesting is that some locals told me the “real” Wuhan flavours aren’t found there, but in hidden spots only locals know. I can’t wait to explore those next time and compare!
This summer program pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me understand a different lifestyle. Thank you, HUST, for such a great summer break experience.
