Hidden Gems and Honest Moments: Studying at CUHK Shenzhen

What was the best on-campus experience?  

Honestly, it wasn’t one of the structured workshops or lectures — it was the welcoming nature of the CUHK Shenzhen students helping on the trip. From day one, they were so open, friendly, and eager to share their campus with us. The canteens were a highlight in themselves: there were around five across campus, each with a whole range of mini restaurants offering completely different foods. I loved nipping between classes to the on-campus gyms (there were two!) before heading for a truly delicious lunch every day, then returning to afternoon sessions feeling recharged. With the CUHK students’ help, I even organised an after-hours football match on the mini astroturf pitch, with both exchange and CUHK students joining in — it was such a fun and genuine cultural exchange. They also introduced me to the incredible table tennis hall, helping me book paddles so we could play in-between classes. Having all these facilities right on campus and being able to share those moments with local students who were just as curious about my life in London as I was about theirs in China, made the cultural exchange feel completely natural and effortless.  

What was the best off-campus experience?  

Since I had visited some of China’s bigger cities with the program, I chose to take the high-speed train to Yangshuo for an overnight stay at the very end of my trip. I rented a little pink electric moped from an elderly local lady and spent the day weaving through the stunning karst mountains — it was completely unbeatable and genuinely changed the way I see the world. What made it even more special was the warmth and helpfulness of people I met. The receptionist at my small hotel asked for my WeChat and immediately started sending me her favourite local food spots and hidden viewpoints. This was a theme throughout my trip — whether it was locals inviting me to join them for a meal, a man offering us free use of the gym he managed near CUHK in Longgang, or strangers simply approaching to help — people’s curiosity and kindness were constant. The seamless WeChat auto-translation meant I could connect and communicate instantly, making what could have been an overwhelming, vast place feel friendly and accessible.  

Biggest cultural shock?  

The sheer integration of WeChat into daily life blew me away — paying for everything by scanning a QR code, posting on social media, using mini-programs to book activities or order food — it felt like an entire country was running on one app. On top of that, the food was incredibly affordable yet consistently delicious, whether in a canteen or at a late-night street stall. There were moments of “phone frenzy” where people seemed a little zombie-like, but I also loved how social life often spilled into unexpected places. You could walk into a pool bar late at night, find it full of people playing billiards, and instantly feel part of something lively and friendly. The cities were vast but surprisingly quiet thanks to electric vehicles, and they felt clean and safe in a way that really stood out compared to London.  

Biggest lesson learnt? 

No amount of research or watching videos can truly prepare you for what it’s like to live in China, even for a short time. Everything — from the tech to the transport to the way cities are laid out — feels so planned, efficient, and thoughtfully designed. It’s a completely different rhythm of daily life from London, yet it works together seamlessly and makes perfect sense. What surprised me most was how little of this is translated into the Western narrative. It honestly felt like a hidden gem — why is China not praised enough here? Why did it feel like a gatekept secret? Experiencing it firsthand completely changed my perspective. Before this trip, I’d never even considered China as a place to visit, and now I’ve already booked to return. It taught me that the most transformative travel experiences often happen in the places you never thought to put on your list. Best bit of prep you did before going abroad On the practical side, I’d say getting familiar with WeChat — even though it’s quite limited before you’re actually in China — was really useful, just so I knew my way around the app. Sorting out a VPN in advance, and thinking about whether to get an eSIM/SIM before or after arrival, made life much easier. But my biggest “prep” was actually a mindset thing — I went in curious and ready to give absolutely everything the best possible chance: the people, the food, the activities. I didn’t want to arrive with a fixed perspective. I also did targeted research on the things I’m passionate about — for me that’s clothes, tech, and food — so I knew where to find local clothes markets, tech hubs, and must-try dishes. Some exchange students preferred to stay on campus after classes and socialise with their own group, but I was ready to hop on the metro or into a Didi as soon as the day’s sessions ended. My advice: own your trip. China is vast and has something for everyone — you just need to know where to look and be willing to go beyond the obvious, more commercial spots, to find the local gems.  

How did you fund your experience? 

CUHK Shenzhen hosted us and provided canteen vouchers — more than the number of days we were there. The canteens closed around 7 pm, so my approach was to have at least one meal on campus each day using the vouchers (the food was excellent) and one meal off-campus to explore local options. If I wanted to budget more on a particular day, I’d use two vouchers for both lunch and dinner — or even grab fruit, snacks, or coffee from canteens that offered them. It’s worth burning through the vouchers first before spending extra, as it really helps stretch your budget. I also successfully applied for a UCL bursary, which covered my flight costs. Before the trip, I’d been studying hard for exams, so I hadn’t been spending much day-to-day, meaning I had a budget ready to enjoy myself. That let me buy things I knew weren’t marked up for tourists, respectfully barter in markets, and split Didi rides with other students to keep travel costs down. My general income came from part-time hospitality work in London through an agency, which I could fit in between my studies. 

Any words of advice for future short-term mobility travellers?  

Go in with curiosity and an open mind — the best experiences often happen outside the planned itinerary. Don’t be afraid to explore on your own or with new friends from CUHK Shenzhen, rather than just sticking with your home university group. Sort out your tech before you go: download WeChat and get familiar with it, arrange a VPN, and decide if you’ll get a SIM/eSIM before or after arrival. Make full use of what’s provided — canteen vouchers can cover multiple meals a day if you plan well, and CUHK’s facilities are excellent. Remember that both the institution and the country have so much to offer, and everyone involved in the programme at CUHK is there to help and advise — they did this expertly for us. Ask questions to find out what you can do and see how far you can stretch your experience. Don’t rely solely on trendy “Top 10” lists online — ask the people there directly. Their recommendations will take you to the real gems you won’t find on the internet.