PHBS-UK

To Our Exchange Life in the UK: PHBS UK

Exchange Project Successfully Concluded, a student report by Li Xiang

When you take the night flight over Eurasia to meet the northern Atlantic Island in the early morning, you are filled with curiosity. As you drag your suitcase through the old buildings of Oxford, the towering Gothic church makes you think you've broken into medieval scrolls, the time has slowed down and you’re nostalgic.

When you finally arrive at the PHBS UK campus, pride and proud arise in my heart that the campus looks like a British castle but hung with Chinese logo. I am glad that the beginning of this journey is so beautiful.

(The signposts to Boars Hills with the UK campus of PHBS signpost at the top)

In September 2018, students with different culture and education background gathered in Peking University HSBC Business School UK campus for a two-month exchange study. The first knowledge of the campus is the well-protected idyllic scenery and castle style of the building communities. When you go into the interior of the building, you can see the Sages’ picture hanging on both sides of the Hall, which brings a hint of kindness and dignity.

(HSBC Business School UK campus, Peking University)

(The idyllic landscape outside the British campus)

Together with international students in the UK campus, the class is always full of thought collisions, because they come from different countries and have a very different style of subject background or work experience. As we gather in the space of one classroom, multiple thoughts and expressions become catalysts for the absorption of knowledge, constantly enriching each other's knowledge and experience.

(British campus students with Mr. Hai)

Outside the classroom, the school district teachers actively provide us with good academic and social resources, so that we have a better understanding of British culture, integration into the local community. After joining the Oxford family, the library of Oxford Student Union became one of our most visited locations, because of not only the ancient and solemn library but also the endless surprises of the weekly guest speeches. In addition, the Oxford Ball held in the school hall also gives us a full experience of the local students' ball culture. Exquisite cuisine, beautiful dance performances, and fun activities such as Tarot divination brought us a rich sensory experience.

(Oxford Ball at the British campus)

When you first arrive in the UK, there's inevitably something you were not used to when it comes to life and rest. While school logistic teachers have always given us very meticulous care. On Chinese National Day, Miss Liu and Chef Song prepared a rich Chinese dinner, invited us to celebrate the festival. At the dinner table, Miss Liu, who is experienced in British life, exchanged views with us on British society. So that we can not only feel the warmth of the motherland in this special festival but also have a further understanding of life in the United Kingdom.

(Ripon Lodge)

Two-months on an exchange program in the UK is not only a trip of academics but also a cultural adventure. We went to the O2 stadium to enjoy a U2 performance, watched a football game in Manchester, saw The Phantom of the Opera in the West End of London and witnessed history in Stonehenge. Each of these memories is a wonderful moment to light up our short journey.

Looking back at September, October and November, in every moment we were lucky. We experienced the seasonal turnover of the campus, the colour changing from green to red, but we also witnessed the constant connection of each other's feelings. Perhaps this was the great thing about this campus, it silently carried academic exchanges, witnessing the growth of students, but also inclusive of the collision of different cultures.

(British Campus exchange students with Prof. Liu and Chef Song)

When we came, the summer flowers were blooming, as if they sprouted yesterday; when we left, the autumn light was shining, but everyone's body seemed to inject greater power. Thanks to the English campus teachers for their meticulous care, we also look forward to meeting again in the future.