Exchange Report

The application process is one year ahead. If you miss the deadline, you still can apply for the rest of the places that students didn't take. Rank the universities according your own preferences Be patient about the course list and write every deadline in your calendar. I did my pre-recognition of courses during the first week of the exchange semester. Besides you have to buy the insurance of the university if you want to apply for multiple entry visa.

The university does not provide enough dormitory rooms. I was advised to be patient and flexible. I was not lucky enough to get a room in the dormitory buildings. I had to search for myself. But they provide a PDF sheet where you can get all the accommodation information. My place was a bit far away, but the commute in Beijing is always about 1 hour. It took me around 40 min. to get to university; 50-60 min. with heavy traffic. Everywhere in Beijing it is safe. Let a local or a person in the same time zone apply for your dormitory room. You might get better luck.

The campus itself was a small town. You got everything: several canteens, washing salons, milk tea stores, cafés, supermarkets, convenience stores and a bakery, which offers traditional seasonal pastries like mooncakes. It is easy to get around with a bike or just by walking, but the campus is huge. They offer a variety of courses with practical applications. Additionally, several group works are part of the schedule to intensify the exchange among students. The courses were very insightful with a great focus on the chinese industry. The teachers were very passionate and excited to teach materials.

The host country is a very safe place to live in; that's because they have security measures and cameras. I felt very safe, but as Beijing is quite big, the commute system to every place takes at least 1 hour if you take public transport. But taking a taxi is also cheap, approximately around 3-4 euros. There is always something to explore, either on campus with random events and lots of different kinds of clubs or off campus with the Beijing Opera, theater, acrobatic show, safari zoo, or attractions like the Great Wall, Summer Palace, Old Summer Palace, Olympic Park (Bird's Nest & Water Cube) and Temple of Heaven.

My exchange semester at Peking University (PKU) was a highly insightful and life-enhancing experience. Living and studying in Beijing proved to be both intellectually stimulating and personally enriching. Beijing is a vibrant and fascinating city with a remarkable cultural depth and endless opportunities to explore. On campus, PKU offers a wide range of activities like national concerts, ice skating on Weiming Lake, and numerous student clubs such as cooking, chess, and cultural exchange classes. Beyond campus, the city itself provides unique experiences with iconic landmarks such as the Great Wall, the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven, and the Forbidden City. A must-try in Beijing is, of course, the Peking duck and the Zhajiang noodles. Academically, the exchange was equally enriching. Courses were taught by highly qualified professors from diverse backgrounds, combining strong theoretical foundations with a clear practical focus on Chinese economic, cultural, and societal contexts. The courses were highly engaging and well-structured, contributing significantly to my academic and personal development. All in all, I would like to thank the people who made my exchange semester truly special. Every single conversation broadened my perspective and contributed to my personal and intercultural growth. I deeply appreciate the time I spent there and these unforgettable memories I will cherish in my heart.