UIC welcomed 17 international exchange students from oversea universities to spend a part of their 2019-2020 academic year in Zhuhai. Also joining the new exchange students is one full time degree seeking student from South Korea.

 Group photo of the exchange students

This semester, most of the exchange students have come mostly from US institutions, including Concordia College, Georgia Southern University, as well as Hamline University. However, there are students from EDHEC Business School, Lille Catholic University in France and Pforzheim University in Germany, plus Mahidol University International College in Thailand.

The exchange students introducing themselves

The International Development Office (IDO) arranged for several orientation sessions by arranging various departments, services and offices to provide a representative to introduce what they do to the international students on 28 August.

Assistant Director of IDO, Ms Li Mei, as well as DHSS Foreign Intern and President of the International Student Club, Rowan McCaffrey, spoke on behalf of IDO. They both gave the students advice and informed them of day-to-day living in Zhuhai in addition to providing advice.

Assistant Director of IDO Ms Li Mei introducing the students to UIC

President of the International Student Club Rowan McCaffrey talks about her own experiences

IDO Administrative Officer Ms Jessica Xiao

Associate Director of Whole Person Education Office (WPEO), Mr Thomas Kilian, provided details of WPEO before Academic Registry (AR) Senior Administrative Assistant, Ms Phoebe Wang Yangchen explained the role of AR. IT Technician, Mr Bruce Chen Hao led session four just before lunch.

Mr Thomas Kilian speaks about WPEO

Ms Phoebe Wang explaining the role of AR

Mr Bruce Chen Hao talks about UIC's IT services

After lunch, the Student Affairs Office (SAO) gave a talk which involved Administrative Assistant, Ms Fiona Fang; Junior Student Development Tutor, Ms Sandy Yuan; Junior Counselor, Ms Grace Chen; Residence Tutor, Mr Reo Chen all providing details.

Ms Fiona Fang

Ms Sandy Yuan

Ms Grace Chen

Mr Reo Chen

Director of Estates and Campus Development Office (ECDO), Mr Lawrence Yeung, spoke to the exchange students with some advice about safety and what to do in certain situations. The final session was given by Reference Librarian Ms Carolyn Qi, which also included a tour around the Learning Resource Centre (LRC) following the orientation.

Mr Lawrence Yeung talks about safety

Ms Carolyn Qi giving the students a tour around the LRC

To finish of their orientation, the exchange students took a Chinese language placement test to check their ability on 29 August. The test was conducted by Chinese Language and Culture Centre (CLC) Lecturer, Ms Candy Cai Jingjing.

Ms Candy Cai observing the students during a Chinese language placement test

IDO arranged a Zhuhai day trip to get the students familiar with their new surroundings as well as to show them the sites of the beautiful coastal city on the 30 August.

UIC Associate Vice President Prof George Wei welcomed the students during a traditional Dim Sum breakfast. Prof Wei also spoke about his own experiences when studying abroad and encouraged the students to make the most of their stay in China.

Prof George Wei talking about when he studied abroad

After the Dim Sum breakfast, the students went to visit the Putuo temple. They then got to visit the symbol of Zhuhai, the famous Fisher Girl’s Statue, as well as the Opera House. This was followed by a shopping spree at the Young Mix shopping mall. The trip ended with a tour around the New Yuanming Palace.

The exchange students have settled in fast

Nitchakarn Kasemsub, a Thai student on exchange from Mahidol University International College, explained that the reason she decided to come to UIC was due to the fact that she wanted to study aboard in China because it’s close to Thailand, however she did not know which university to choose.

“I did some research about each one and I preferred Zhuhai because of the nice environment, surrounded by mountains, and a bit like countryside, so it does not get into a lot of people. When I arrived at the campus, I was so excited about the campus areas and facilities”, explained Nitchakarn.

“I hope to get more Chinese language and Chinese culture, I have taken some Chinese courses but I’m not that good” mentioned Nitchakarn before explaining that it’s more practical to improve her Chinese skills by spending time at UIC, as she will have to use Chinese in her daily life such as ordering food, taking bus and buying things.

Concordia College exchange student, Ethan Linder, came to UIC because he wanted to do something different and unexpected. “I hope to learn about another culture and meet a lot of different people, and learn a thing or two about Chinese business”, he said.

New exchange students Nitchakarn Kasemsub (left) and Ethan Linder (right)

Don’t be shy to greet the new UICers from overseas when you see them around campus.

Reporter: Samuel Burgess
Photographer: Jessica Xiao (IDO), Lauren Richardson
Editors: Deen He, Lauren Richardson
(from MPRO)