My Exchange at Fudan University
When I first arrived at Fudan University in Shanghai, I was immediately struck by the scale and energy of the city. The initial check-in process was challenging since I couldn’t speak Chinese, but this ended up being a blessing in disguise. While waiting in line, I met another student who helped me translate, and this experience taught me the importance of reaching out to others. Many university staff don’t speak English fluently, so having friends who can help with translation became essential, especially when setting up basic logistics like my phone plan, wifi, and bank account.
I stayed in Supplementary Building 7 on the second floor, which turned out to be fortunate since these buildings don’t have elevators. The accommodation was comfortable and practical for my needs. There’s also the Main Building option, which offers nicer, newer rooms with ensuites, but it costs significantly more—around $2,000 NZD extra for the semester. For budget-conscious students, the supplementary buildings provide excellent value.
The teaching style at Fudan was surprisingly different from what I expected. Classes were held in classrooms rather than large lecture halls, with about 40-50 students per class. The approach was much more interactive and discussion-based, with significant emphasis on teamwork rather than passive listening. This made the learning experience more engaging and helped me connect with both local and international students.
The food at Fudan was genuinely amazing. Multiple canteens across campus offer diverse cuisine options at incredibly affordable prices—typically 10-20 yuan per meal, which is almost half the price of restaurants outside campus. When I didn’t feel like eating at the canteen, delivery apps like E Le Ma (饿了吗) and Meituan (美团) became lifesavers. The competition between these apps meant constant discounts and coupons, with most meals costing less than 10 yuan ($3-4 NZD). Delivery was remarkably fast too, usually arriving within 30 minutes to an hour.
One of the highlights of my exchange was how easy it was to travel around China. The public transport system is convenient and affordable, making weekend trips highly accessible. Popular destinations like Suzhou and Hangzhou are just an hour away by train from Shanghai, perfect for day trips after class or on weekends.
Overall, I spent approximately $15,000 NZD for the semester, plus another $4,000 NZD for a month of travel after the semester ended. This covered everything: flights, accommodation, shopping, travel and daily expenses. Compared to Auckland, the cost of living in Shanghai was significantly lower, especially for food and transportation. I didn’t actively restrict my spending, and this budget felt comfortable for an average exchange student lifestyle.
The biggest challenge was the language barrier. China can be quite difficult to navigate without Chinese language skills, particularly for complicated tasks like setting up bank accounts or visiting hospitals. My advice: make friends who speak Chinese as early as possible—it will make your exchange exponentially easier. Stay in university dorms, attend classes regularly, and participate in events to build your network.
The initial setup of basic logistics was the most difficult part of my exchange, but once everything was in place, daily life in China became incredibly convenient and enjoyable.
Q&A
What were some of the highlights of the academic experience at your host university?
The interactive, discussion-based teaching style was a major highlight. Classes felt more like collaborative workshops than traditional lectures, which made learning more engaging. Working in teams with both local Chinese students and other international students gave me diverse perspectives on course material and helped me develop cross-cultural communication skills. The smaller class sizes (40-50 students) meant professors were more accessible and willing to engage in deeper discussions about the subject matter.
Would you recommend any particular activity/activities unique to your host country or university?
Definitely take advantage of the proximity to other Chinese cities for weekend trips. Suzhou and Hangzhou are must-visits and easily accessible for day trips. I’d also recommend exploring Shanghai’s night markets and trying street food—it’s an authentic cultural experience and incredibly affordable. Join university clubs or events to meet local students; this was the best way to practice Chinese and understand Chinese student life. Using the delivery apps (Meituan and E Le Ma) isn’t just practical—it’s a cultural experience in itself and shows you how integrated technology is in daily Chinese life.
What are your top 3 tips for future students attending your host university or going on exchange to your host country?
- Make friends who speak Chinese early on—they’ll be invaluable for navigating bureaucratic processes, translating important documents, and helping you get settled. Don’t be shy about asking for help.
- Stay in the university dorms and actively participate in campus life. It’s the easiest way to meet people, practice Chinese, and immerse yourself in the exchange experience. The dorms are affordable and the community aspect is worth more than nicer off-campus options.
- Download essential apps before arriving or immediately upon arrival: WeChat (for communication and payment), Alipay (payment), Meituan and E Le Ma (food delivery), Didi (transportation), and Baidu Maps (navigation). These apps are essential for daily life in China and make everything much easier.
How much did you budget for your exchange? Was this enough? Were there any lessons learned that would help future students budget for their own exchange?
I budgeted and spent around $15,000 NZD for the semester including travel within China, plus an additional $4,000 NZD for a month of post-semester travel. This covered flights, accommodation, shopping, food, and daily expenses. This budget was definitely enough—I didn’t restrict my spending and lived comfortably.
Key lessons learned: Food in China is remarkably cheap, especially on campus (10-20 yuan per meal) and through delivery apps (often less than 10 yuan). Transportation is also very affordable. The main expenses were accommodation and flights. I’d recommend budgeting around $15,000-18,000 NZD for the semester to be comfortable, with extra funds if you plan extensive travel afterward. The cost of living is significantly lower than Auckland, so your money goes much further.
What are your most significant takeaways from your experience abroad?
My biggest takeaway was learning to be comfortable with discomfort and uncertainty. Not speaking the language forced me to be more resourceful, patient, and willing to ask for help—skills that extend far beyond language barriers. I learned that building genuine connections with people transcends language; some of my best friendships were formed despite limited shared language through gestures, translation apps, and lots of laughter.
I also gained a deep appreciation for how technology can transform daily life. China’s integration of mobile apps for everything from payments to food delivery to transportation showed me different possibilities for urban living. Finally, I learned that successful exchange experiences depend heavily on putting yourself out there—attending events, joining activities, and being open to new experiences, even when they feel intimidating at first.
Do you want to share anything about travels you did outside your host city/country?
I took full advantage of China’s excellent transportation network to explore multiple cities. Suzhou, Hangzhou and other neighbouring cities became regular weekend destinations—both are about an hour from Shanghai and offer beautiful traditional gardens, historic sites, and a different pace from Shanghai’s intensity. I also traveled to Guangzhou and Fuzhou. The high-speed rail system made these trips affordable and convenient.
After the semester ended, I spent a month traveling more extensively, visiting places like Xi’an, Luoyang, Chongqing, Zhangjiajie and Yunnan. The month of post-semester travel was one of the best decisions I made—I was already comfortable navigating China, had friends to travel with, and could fully enjoy the experience without academic pressures.
Is there any advice you could share about accommodation options at your host university and/or in the local area?
I lived on-campus in Supplementary Building 7, which I recommend for exchange students. The application process was handled through Fudan’s international student office as part of the exchange program enrollment. You’ll receive information about accommodation options before arriving, and I suggest responding quickly as rooms fill up fast.
Choose between the Main Building (newer, ensuite, more expensive—around $2,000 NZD more per semester) or the Supplementary Buildings (older but perfectly functional, no ensuite, more affordable). I chose Supplementary Building 7 and was placed on the second floor, which was fortunate since there are no elevators. If possible, request a lower floor in the supplementary buildings.
Living on-campus was invaluable for meeting people, accessing campus facilities easily, and immersing myself in student life. The slightly less luxurious accommodations are absolutely worth the community experience and convenience.
Do you have any advice on what mobile phone apps and/or phone plans that were useful in your host country?
I set up a local Chinese SIM card, which required help from Chinese-speaking friends since the process isn’t very English-friendly. The major carriers are China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom. You’ll need your passport and potentially your university registration documents.
My advice: Ask your university to help arrange this during orientation, or have a Chinese-speaking friend accompany you to a carrier store near campus. Monthly plans are very affordable (around 50-100 yuan per month for decent data). Don’t rely on international roaming—it’s expensive and impractical for a semester-long stay.
Alternatively, some students used eSIMs or international SIM cards, but local SIM cards are cheaper for long-term stays and work better with Chinese apps. Having a local number is also necessary for registering many apps and services.
Essential apps you’ll need in China:
- WeChat (微信): Absolutely essential. Used for everything from messaging, social media, ordering and mobile payments. Everyone in China uses it.
- Alipay (支付宝): Another payment app. You’ll need one or both for cashless payments everywhere.
- Meituan (美团) and E Le Ma/Ele.me (饿了吗): Food delivery apps. Essential for ordering meals to your dorm. Highly recommend learning basic Chinese menu terms or using the built-in photo features.
- Didi (滴滴): China’s equivalent of Uber. Much cheaper than taxis. (Through the Alipay mini-program)
- Baidu Maps (百度地图): Google Maps doesn’t work well in China. Baidu Maps is essential for navigation. AMap is also another good alternative (using the Chinese versions of these apps have more functionality than the international versions)
- 12306 or CTrip.com: For booking train tickets, especially high-speed rail.
Final Comments?
My exchange at Fudan was transformative, but it required active participation to make the most of it. Don’t stay in your comfort zone—join university events, make friends with local students, attempt to speak Chinese even if you’re terrible at it (like I was), and say yes to spontaneous adventures.
The language barrier seemed daunting initially, but it became manageable and even rewarding as I learned to navigate it. The friends I made—both international and Chinese—became my support system and made the experience unforgettable.
China offers a unique blend of ancient culture and cutting-edge modernity that you won’t find elsewhere. The efficiency, affordability, and convenience of daily life there is remarkable. Take advantage of the incredible food, explore beyond Shanghai whenever possible, and immerse yourself fully in the experience.
Finally, be patient with yourself during the adjustment period. The first few weeks setting up logistics are challenging, but once you’re settled, China becomes an incredibly easy and exciting place to live. The exchange will challenge you, but that’s exactly what makes it worthwhile.
