During my semester abroad at the University of Nottingham Ningbo, I collected so many little moments–like postcards I never actually mailed.
These were snapshots of time: quiet mornings with coffee in a new room, the campus buzzing as strangers slowly became friends, and the mix of excitement and homesickness that showed up like uninvited guests. In the middle of adapting to a new culture, juggling studies, and exploring a city, time just flew past me.
If the first half of the exchange felt like getting caught in a whirlwind of check-ins and culture curveballs, the second half felt more like a gentle float… Not in a lost, head-in-the-clouds way, but more of a calm, I-got-this kind of way. Ningbo began to feel less like “a place I travelled to” and became “a place where my days unfolded.”
Words to Wander by: Exchange Essentials
To future exchange students–stay curious and don’t be afraid to get a little lost.
- Download your survival toolkit before you land–life in China runs on these apps: WeChat, Alipay, VPN, Baidu Maps, and ride-hailing app.
- Expect cultural hiccups–and roll with them like a pro.
- Pack light, but smart – Check the weather so you’re ready for anything.
- Take the non-credit courses and clubs – they’re the best way to build connections and memories.
- Master the art of showing up to classes–remember why you’re here for the exchange.
- Say yes (most of the time). Adventures hide behind unexpected doors.
- Trust the chaos–and the fun! Sometimes the best stories come from plans gone sideways.
Lecture Halls and Lightbulb Moments
Let’s be honest, the adventure drew me in—but the academics quietly grew into the warm, nerdy moments I secretly adored.
Over the semester, I took three credited courses and one non-credit class. In International Communication and Culture, I learned just how deep the iceberg of communication really goes–way beyond words and into decoding how things work across cultures and around the world. My top pick? Definitely Hollywood and Chinese Cinema. The lecturer’s energy was on a whole another level–so much that I looked forward to class. I ended up loving the whole course experience.
Chinese Language class had me totally lost at times, but the learning was so fun and messy in the best way. And then there was Discover Ningbo with Chinese, the sweet little cherry on top of my whole exchange experience. It wasn’t graded, but it taught me so much about the local culture, the language, and the rhythm of the city. Also, a side note: I got to help out during the University Open Day at the Mandarin language booth–definitely a highlight and a hilarious flex of my Mandarin skills.
So yeah, I came chasing adventures, but stayed for the “aha!” moments–unexpectedly iconic.
A Soft Landing on Friendship
At first, making friends felt like a string of awkward hellos and quick goodbyes. But halfway through, things clicked–swapping uni chaos, sharing lunches and dinners, and spontaneous cafe hangouts buzzing with laughter and inside jokes. By the end of the exchange, we found ourselves sitting in cosy cafes, quietly holding onto those last moments before everyone floated off like dandelion seeds on the wind. And somehow, it’s those bits and pieces of time that stick with you the most.
Whispers of a Semester Abroad
As I pack up to leave, I realise this exchange gave me more than just credits and photos–it gave me laughter, growth, and stories I’ll carry forever. This experience wasn’t always comfortable – but honestly, that’s the whole point. This exchange wasn’t just another chapter in my academic life–it was a story of becoming.
To anyone wondering if it’s worth it–let me just say this: yes. Wholeheartedly yes.
Looking back now, these unsent postcards hold a special kind of magic. They’re not the perfect snapshots you see on social media or detailed diary entries; they’re messy, beautiful feelings and reflections that only grow clearer with time and distance. The awkwardness of fitting in, the small victories mastering routines, and the joy of discovering hidden corners that started to feel like home. There’s also the bittersweet truth that every moment was fleeting–no matter how much I wished I could hold time still.
So here are those postcards I forgot to send–a reflection from a semester that quietly, yet profoundly changed me.
Ningbo, you’ve been a whirlwind and a wonder. 💛