My name is Dawid, I'm a 26-year-old Polish business student. I have been living in Germany for 10 years. I study at the University FH Dortmund, and due to the cooperation between my school and BGD (Gengdan Institute of Beijing University of Technology), it was possible to have this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
I found out about the possibility of studying in Beijing through the list of cooperating universities with my school. I always wanted to visit Asian countries—one of the reasons was their rich traditions and how different they are from Western lifestyles.
China was very high on this list because of its long history and being one of the oldest civilizations in the world. This background has created a deep heritage and many fascinating customs for anyone interested in exploring.
Besides the historical depth, I was always curious about how everyday life here really is. Since it's hard to hear about it from others, it was a great chance to see it for myself and make up my own mind. Since my first day at BGD, I felt warmly welcomed. The international office and teachers from Business School were taking care to make me feel comfortable here.
In the first few days, I was shown around the school, so I knew where the classes were and all the places for other activities like the gym or badminton. Besides great friendships with other international students, I was able to make friends with the locals.
The Chinese students are very helpful and warmhearted. A lot of them were very interested in getting to know me, and many times it led to friendships and great time together, like eating a traditional family dinner with the parents of one of the friends or experiencing Chinese punk.
Besides that, the international office also put in efforts to make my time here more memorable and organized interesting events like visiting Tian'anmen Square, Bird's Nest, Water Cube or taking us to the National Tennis Centre.
The Business School also introduced Chinese friends for us who were willing to show us around Beijing at the weekend and introduce us to some of the culture (like playing Mahjong). Also the teachers were very open and always there not only for questions about classes but also for giving tips on activities in Beijing or advice for the holidays.
As already described, the school put a lot of effort into making my experience unforgettable, and I can just say that it worked out. I found out about the possibility of studying in Beijing is a huge city with a lot to offer. Almost every weekend, I could take part in a new event (for example: Beijing Fashion Show, local artist flea market, or bread festival).
Beyond events, Beijing is a city made for exploration. Each district has its own unique character and charm.798 Art Zone is filled with contemporary galleries, street art, and indie cafes. In Sanlitun, modern architecture meets global cuisine, and you can experience the nightlife. The city center has a lot of historical places to offer but is also a good place for shopping. There is also a lot more like the Great Wall or the Temple of Heaven, but I guess it's more fun to find it out on your own!