Details

• China
• BaWiSo-19
• Undergraduate
• SoSe 2026
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months
• Contact: Login to see contact information

1. Preparation

Overall, I would recommend starting the preparation process as early as possible, especially when going to China. Applying for the visa, organizing accommodation, arranging health insurance, and preparing all required documents took more time than I initially expected. It is also helpful to familiarize yourself with essential Chinese apps such as WeChat and Alipay before departure, as they are used for almost everything, from payments to communication and transportation. Regarding travel, I flew from Germany to Chengdu with a layover in Shanghai. The journey was straightforward, and I would recommend arriving a few days before the semester starts to recover from jet lag, settle into your accommodation, and explore the campus and surrounding area before classes begin. Finally, I suggest joining exchange student group chats early, as they are a great source of information and make it easier to meet people before arriving.

2. Accommodation

I shared a modern three-bedroom apartment with a friend. The apartment was located on the 23rd floor in a residential building right next to the SWUFE campus, so it was very convenient to walk to classes or drive by scooter. The neighborhood felt safe at all times, and there were plenty of supermarkets, restaurants, and other amenities nearby. The monthly rent was 2,500 RMB (approximately €300) for the entire apartment, so each of us paid 1,250 RMB (around €150) per month, which was excellent value for the quality and location. Finding accommodation was straightforward. The university provided exchange students with the contact details of a local housing agent, who offered several apartments close to campus and helped us arrange everything before our arrival. My main tip would be to make use of this service, as it makes the accommodation search much easier and less stressful.

3. Academic life at host university

SWUFE's Liulin Campus, where most undergraduate and exchange students study, is spacious and well-equipped. Compared to WU Vienna, the campus is much larger and offers a wide range of facilities, including libraries, study areas, sports facilities, a football stadium, tennis courts, several cafeterias, cafés, supermarkets, and many small shops. While the campus itself is very pleasant and has everything students need, the university buildings are generally older and not as modern as those at WU Vienna. Compared to WU Vienna, I found the teaching style to be less interactive. Although the class sizes were similar, lectures were generally more instructor-led, with fewer discussions and less active participation from students. Another difference was the assessment format. While some courses included midterm and final exams, many were assessed through essays, presentations, group projects, or video assignments. The exact assessment methods depend heavily on the courses you choose. Most classes consisted of a small number of exchange students alongside a larger group of Chinese students. In my experience, the Chinese students were initially a bit more reserved, but they were extremely hardworking, well-prepared, and excellent teammates. Working on group assignments with them was both enjoyable and productive. I particularly enjoyed International Trade Practice and International Business Negotiations, which I found to be among the most interesting courses I took. However, the course selection changes from semester to semester, so future exchange students should check the latest course catalogue before making their choices.

5. Every day life in the host country

Everyday life in Chengdu was very convenient and enjoyable. One of the biggest advantages of living in China was the excellent transportation infrastructure. The metro system is modern, clean, reliable, and very affordable, with most journeys costing between RMB 4–8 (€0.50–1.00). Depending on the destination, the metro was often even faster than traveling by car. For shorter trips or when traveling with friends, I frequently used DiDi, China's main ride-hailing service. Taxi rides are very inexpensive by European standards, with a typical 30- to 60-minute journey costing around RMB 40–50 (€5–6). I also regularly used shared e-scooters to travel between my apartment and the university, which were another affordable and convenient option. I found China to be an extremely safe country. Whether on campus, using public transport, or walking around the city at night, I always felt comfortable and secure. Outside of university, I spent a lot of time exploring Chengdu with both exchange students and friends I already knew before my exchange. I also took the opportunity to travel extensively within China, visiting cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Qingdao, Changsha, and Sanya. These trips gave me a much broader understanding of the country's regional diversity and culture. The university also organized events such as a food festival, which provided additional opportunities to meet other students. SWUFE offers excellent sports facilities, including a gym, swimming pool, football pitches, tennis courts, and many other recreational areas. There are also student sports teams and clubs that exchange students can join. In addition, Chengdu has a lively nightlife, with a wide variety of bars, cafés, and clubs, making it easy to socialize outside of university.

6. Testimonial

Choosing Chengdu for my exchange semester was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I wanted to experience the "real" China beyond the country's most international cities, and my expectations were exceeded in every way. The combination of great academic experiences, welcoming people, incredible Sichuan cuisine, and unforgettable travels made this the best time of my life, and I made friendships that I am sure will last for many years. I would choose SWUFE and Chengdu again without hesitation.