Exchange Report

My preparation was a mix of exchanging experiences with WU students who had previously studied at Fudan University, coordinating with fellow WU students who were also going to China (especially regarding visa, accommodation, and flights), and gathering additional tips through social media and online communities. Recommendations for future students: - Get vaccinations early, if you plan to get vaccinated - Choose an eSIM provider for the first days in China (e.g. Revolut offers eSIM and VPN in one) - Clarify travel insurance in advance (e.g. HanseMerkur) - Familiarize yourself with housing agencies beforehand to start apartment viewings immediately after arrival - Take a basic Chinese language course (e.g. offered at WU); it was very helpful, as English is not widely spoken even in Shanghai

I searched for a private short-term apartment together with another WU exchange student. We lived in Jing’an, one of the most central districts in Shanghai, with many cafés, bars, restaurants, and a large international community. The area is very well connected and lively. Using public transport, the commute to campus would have taken around one hour. However, since Didi is very affordable and our courses were mostly block courses with limited on-campus attendance, we usually used Didi, which reduced the travel time to around 30 minutes. In terms of safety, the experience was excellent. Jing’an and Shanghai in general felt extremely safe at all times (10/10). If possible, arrive in China early to view apartments in person. We arrived relatively late and had to rely on online information from our housing agency, which worked out well in our case. Nevertheless, I would recommend arriving around two weeks earlier to personally visit and compare apartments.

Fudan University has four large campuses across Shanghai. All of our courses took place at the recently completed and highly modern School of Management campus, which offers excellent infrastructure and learning facilities. As the exchange program for master’s students is integrated into the MBA program, the teaching style was highly practice-oriented. Most professors were experienced entrepreneurs or senior executives who actively encouraged discussion, interaction, and critical thinking during class. A strong emphasis was placed on group work and applied projects rather than purely theoretical content. Most courses were offered as block courses over weekends or in the evenings, as many Chinese students work full-time or are self-employed alongside their studies. Our first course was taught by the COO of Bosch and was the best course I have attended throughout my entire academic career.

Public transport in Shanghai is very affordable, efficient, and easy to use. Bicycles can be unlocked via QR code using WeChat or Alipay and are widely used, as the city is flat and well designed for cycling and mopeds. Didi, the Chinese equivalent of Uber, is very cheap and reliable, making getting around the city flexible and convenient at all times. Shanghai feels extremely safe. Cameras are present throughout the city but never felt intrusive, and I did not experience a single safety-related incident during my entire stay. Regarding social and leisure activities, Shanghai truly offers everything. Connecting with other international students and locals is easy, and apps such as AMap and TikTok are helpful for discovering restaurants, bars, and new places. Many events and parties are shared via Instagram and WeChat, and I also attended WKO and Advantage Austria events, which I can highly recommend for networking. Sports options are easily accessible, with many fitness studios and simple class bookings via Alipay mini-apps. University campuses also offer a wide range of sports courses.

What made China truly exceptional was the sense of limitlessness, the culture, and the mindset of the people. In China, it feels possible to experience everything—from outstanding academic teaching and inspiring professors to vibrant social life, from traveling to both warm and extremely cold regions, and from untouched nature to some of the most modern cities in the world. I felt especially comfortable in Shanghai, as the city is very fast-paced while still offering many calm and cozy spaces. This balance is deeply rooted in Chinese culture, for example through tea or coffee rituals, walks in parks, and moments of conscious pause within everyday life. During my exchange, I built incredibly meaningful friendships with both local students and exchange students from Europe, shaped by the wide range of shared experiences we had together. Overall, this exchange was one of the most exciting and inspiring periods of my life. I can highly recommend China—and especially Fudan University—to anyone seeking academic excellence, cultural depth, and a strong, well-supported international exchange community.