It was a great time!

Jan Sobolewski is a mechatronics student at HSZG and is currently spending two semesters at the Sino-German University of Applied Sciences (CDHAW) at Tongi University in Shanghai.

The HSZG is a member of the nationwide university consortium and has been heavily involved in the CDHAW project since its founding in 2004. Since 2006, up to 11 CDHAW students have come to the HSZG each year to study for two semesters. Mr. Sobolewski is the first student from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science to pursue a dual degree at CDHAW.

In the following report, Mr. Sobolewski insightfully shares his experiences and offers helpful tips to help other students get off to a successful start during a semester abroad.

Phase 1: Preparations

I had already heard on several occasions that professors from our university travel to China to teach courses there. At the end of 2015, Professor Worlitz introduced us to the exchange program between CDHAW (Sino-German University of Applied Sciences) and Tongji University in Shanghai. The program involves an exchange of Chinese and German students, which is rewarded with a dual degree after one semester of specialized study and one bachelor’s semester. This means that students in bachelor’s programs receive a bachelor’s degree simultaneously from Germany and from Tongji University in China.

Although I had never seriously considered studying abroad before, this was a very tempting offer. With the prospect of a scholarship that covered housing in a dormitory, basic health insurance, tuition, and a monthly allowance, I decided to at least apply for it. The application process turned out to be relatively time-consuming and tedious. After submitting my application to the International Office at HSZG (early 2016) and to the Chinese university (February/March 2016), I applied for the scholarship. Since a year abroad without a scholarship was out of the question for me, it was very important to submit all documents on time. Once I received confirmation from Tongji University, I was able to apply for the Chinese visa. In July, I received the scholarship notification, which sealed the deal for my year abroad in China.

Phase 2: The Academic Semester, Daily Student Life, and Campus Life

The first semester began in early September. After arriving at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, I was met by a Chinese student who took me to campus. Due to my late arrival and some confusion, the first few days were relatively stressful, as I had to register for the university and the scholarship right away. To make the university registration process as stress-free as possible, it’s a good idea to arrive about a week early. This also helps you get your bearings in Shanghai and make your first connections with other students.

I was housed on the Jiading Campus in the northwest of the city. The campus struck me as a small town. It features parks, sports fields, cafés, restaurants, and a shopping arcade. Of course, there are also the university buildings and dormitories. Since I wasn’t familiar with any comparable campus life in Germany, I was a bit skeptical at first about life in Jiading.

But after just a short time, the campus became a home for all the students. We went through our daily academic routines together, took part in the numerous sports activities, and met up for meals in the student canteen or at a restaurant.

I was pleasantly surprised by the condition of the dorms. The rooms had been renovated and were furnished. There was a kitchen on every floor, though we rarely used it because of the low prices at restaurants and the student canteen. The dorm is reserved exclusively for international students and is one of the highest-quality ones on campus. Here, you get to know students from a wide variety of countries. Most of the students, however, came from Germany, France, and Italy.

I was enrolled in the “Mechatronic Engineering” degree programme. Course selections could be made during registration. However, since you must earn 30 credit points for the Bachelor’s degree and one course was not offered, I had relatively little flexibility in my choices. The lectures were held in English and were attended by both Chinese and German students.

Compared to German standards, I would rate the academic requirements as somewhat lower. However, there were also several short academic papers to complete, which kept us constantly busy. The hands-on project work was particularly enjoyable. Topics in robotics and CNC technology were supervised jointly by German and Chinese students.

In addition to the required courses, optional courses were also offered. The organizers at Tongji University went out of their way to coordinate the schedules of the free Chinese language courses with ours. During the lecture series and the “Lunch-Box-Talk,” we had the opportunity to network with companies and find a placement for the bachelor’s semester.

Phase 3: The Bachelor’s Semester

Once all exams were completed and the planned travel period was over, the practical part of the exchange program began—the bachelor’s semester. The companies were very flexible in scheduling, so I began my Bachelor thesis about a month after the exams at EMAG Machine Tools Taicang, north of Shanghai. During this time, the company provided me with an apartment. My task was to implement production control systems for EMAG machines so that the company could offer its customers future-proof systems in the age of Industry 4.0. I first learned about the company through the lecture series I mentioned earlier, during which we attended a presentation by the EMAG CEO at Tongji University.

The companies go to great lengths to ensure that students have a varied and enriching experience.

For example, I was able to participate in client and supplier meetings and attend various trade shows to build up a comprehensive foundation of knowledge. In addition, team-building events were organized where we played sports, ate, or had drinks together with colleagues.

Shanghai – After work, we often went into the city center together. It takes a maximum of 90 minutes to get there from campus by subway. Shanghai is a very international metropolis where you can sometimes forget you’re in Asia—until you find yourself in a crowd of Chinese people again. The contrast between the Chinese way of life and the Western-influenced city is very interesting. Interacting with the local Chinese population was very easy despite the language barrier, as you always felt welcome.

Shanghai itself is an attraction, especially at night. As soon as it gets dark, the buildings are illuminated by artistic lighting. There are various bars and clubs offering a wide range of entertainment. For shopping enthusiasts, Shanghai also has a few highlights to offer. At the so-called “fake market,” you can buy inexpensive clothing, shoes, or even electronics if you’re willing to compromise on quality. At the tailor market, you can have any kind of clothing tailored to your specifications at fair prices.

Travel – Of course , my visit to China wasn’t limited to the university in Shanghai. Although the academic program is clearly the main focus, there’s plenty of time to travel around China. Good times for this are the long weekends during Chinese holidays, the period after exams, and after completing your Bachelor thesis. Exceptions can be made in consultation with professors, but attendance is generally mandatory.

Unfortunately, China is far too large to explore in its entirety in such a short time. In addition to major tourist destinations like the Great Wall or the Terracotta Army in Xi’an, trips to rural regions can also be very exciting.

Conclusion

My year abroad in China was a truly enriching experience for me. Since, in my case, the coursework did not correspond to that at HSZG, I was able to gain insights into other fields and experience a different daily academic routine. However, there is also room for improvement when it comes to organization. For example, the scholarship notification didn’t arrive until the end of July, which left me relatively little time to book flights and get vaccinations. To help future participants get started, I’m happy to share my experiences.

Even though I hadn’t necessarily wanted to go abroad before, I’m glad I took the plunge. I learned a lot of new things, saw exciting places, and made international friends. It was a great experience that I can recommend to anyone.