My experience at the Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics
By Gabriela Dalazen Machado, BEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering, 2024
I had the opportunity to spend a month in Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu province in China, for an Engineering Summer School with the Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (NUAA). The program aimed to introduce international students to Chinese culture and traditions, showcase what China has to offer, teach useful engineering skills, and relate them to a backdrop of aeronautics and astronautics.
Throughout our month of studies, my colleagues and I were never bored as we had a dynamic run of classes which changed almost every week. Starting with Chinese painting, followed by culture classes in which we learned about traditional festivals and myths. We also had calligraphy and tea classes, as well as music classes in which we attempted to play the Guzheng and Ocarina. Additionally, there were also Chinese classes, which provided the basics to allow us to communicate with locals and gain a deeper understanding of the country.
Our program included trips and guided tours around important sites in Chinese history, such as the site where the Imperial Examinations were held for over a millennia in Nanjing, and the Site of the First National Congress of the CCP in Shanghai. The University also took us to Yangzhou, where we visited the stunning Ge gardens and Dongguan street. Through these trips, it can be noted that China is a vibrant country which holds an interesting dichotomy of traditional and modern elements everywhere.
Beyond academics, experiencing campus life in China was incredible, with a huge area dedicated exclusively to the campus, canteens serving foods for all different tastes, grocery stores, a hospital, coffee and milk tea stores, and just about anything a student may need. Outside the campus the streets were lively, and we also enjoyed going out and getting some delicious food from the nearby street food market. Thanks to the lovely volunteer students from NUAA, we discovered some great spots in the city to eat and have fun, such as the amazing Hot Pot at Haidilao, or playing Mahjong and singing at a KTV.
In my free time, I decided to do some solo exploring and visit more sites in Nanjing, which has a long history as it was previously the Empire’s capital, such as the Niushoushan mountain, which has a magnificent and modern temple. I also travelled to Suzhou, which is known as one of the most beautiful cities in China, and Beijing, where I managed to visit the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, both of which I enjoyed thoroughly for their beauty as well as for learning more about ancient China.
Overall, my experience with the Summer School was truly remarkable. In just over a month, I learned and experienced far more than I ever expected, while meeting and connecting with amazing people who made my time in China even more special. Since returning to the UK, I already miss this place immensely and cannot wait to go back and explore even more cities. My opinion and understanding of China as a country have profoundly developed and changed, and I wholeheartedly recommend any other students who have this opportunity to visit.
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