My amazing Global Summer School experience in China
By Ananya More, August 2025
Hi everyone, my name is Ananya More and I'm in year 3 of my BA (Hons) in Business Management and Accounting and Finance course.
This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to attend a 10-day International Summer Camp at SWUFE (Southwestern University of Finance and Economics) in Liulin, China. It turned out to be one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life.
From exploring Chinese culture and cuisine to making lifelong friendships and presenting on big topics, I grew, learned and made memories that I’ll cherish forever.
Making new friends and learning new things
The camp kicked off with a warm and vibrant welcome session, during which I met my team and other students from all over the world. Everyone was friendly and excited and we instantly bonded together. Later on, we had lunch at one of the university’s canteens, and I was amazed at the variety and quality of the food we were served. It was very exciting to be there and the vibe on campus was buzzing.
That evening, I had a chance to try hotpot for the first time. Being Indian, I’m used to spicy food, but Sichuan cuisine was something else! The bold and numbing flavours were delicious and addictive. I loved it and ended up craving hotpot almost every day of the camp!
The academic side of the camp was just as exciting as everything else. We teamed up with students from around the world to create a presentation on China's incredible journey from its traditional roots to modern innovation. It was an enriching learning experience, and I absolutely loved collaborating with classmates from diverse backgrounds. I also had the chance to share insights about India, which was a wonderful opportunity to represent my culture in an academic setting. It felt amazing to contribute my perspective and learn from others in such a vibrant, international environment.
Amazing cultural experiences
During the camp, I had an amazing chance to dive into the financial and business side of Chinese enterprises. One of the highlights was visiting the Volvo manufacturing unit, where we got an insider's look at their production process and technological innovations. Witnessing China's industrial strength up close was truly eye-opening. We also wandered through Jinli Street, indulging in some fun shopping and delicious snacks.
Our visit to a museum was also fascinating, as we explored the history of Chinese currency and governance. This experience really helped me connect the dots between China's past and their impressive journey toward modernisation.
One of the biggest highlights of my trip was visiting the Panda Base, where I saw giant pandas and red pandas in real life! They were SO adorable! I went a little crazy taking pictures and videos - couldn’t help it.
We then had lunch at a local hotel that served amazing bamboo shoot dishes, followed by shopping at Kuan Zhai Alley with the help of our amazing student volunteers. We even visited a beautiful Buddha temple later, and I was honestly blown away by the architecture and peaceful atmosphere.
The Goodbye Party and a bit of Bharatanatyam
Our farewell party was the most emotional and memorable evening of all. Our group put on a performance together, and I had the chance to teach and showcase Bharatanatyam, a classical Indian dance. I was truly touched when students from other countries joined me and gave it a try. It was a beautiful blend of cultures coming together on one stage.
We laughed, snapped endless photos, danced our hearts out, and promised to stay in touch. That night truly captured the spirit of the entire camp—unity in diversity.
Things I've learnt and will never forget from my experience at the camp:
- Trying new cuisines and loving it.
- Learning about new cultures from people themselves
- Making new friends from all over the world
- Working on a global team with other students
- Feeling proud to share my Indian culture abroad
The people, the experiences, and the lessons I've learned - all of this I feel has made me more confident, independent, and globally aware person. SWUFE planned everything so thoughtfully, from academics to cultural immersion, and I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunity.
If you are NTU student and ever get a chance to attend an international summer camp like this, go for it! It might feel like a big challenge at first, but it’ll open up your world in the best possible way. China, SWUFE, and the amazing friends I made gave me 10 days of joy, learning, and memories that I’ll never forget!
Till next time, 再见!
Discover more about NTU
Learn more about the different ways of learning at NTU and the support available to help you succeed.
Get involved
Being a student is about more than just studying – it’s a way of life. Discover likeminded communities and broaden your horizons with access to over 100 societies, 60 sports clubs, volunteering opportunities, and more.
Student life
University isn't just about your studies. Everything’s on offer here - there’s sport, art, music, food, and so much more. Find out about living here or how to commute to NTU.
Follow NTU International
Follow NTU International on Instagram to meet more international students and keep up to date.
Sign up for emails
Sign-up to emails for the latest news, including scholarship information and events to help you find out more about studying at NTU.