This semester, ZJUI welcomed its exchange students from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) and the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD). As they stepped into ZJUI, their eyes sparkled with curiosity at the unknown—whether it was the Chinese greetings they repeatedly checked with translation apps or the slight smile that accompanied their first glances at their classmates. These young students from different countries have chosen "ZJUI" as their "new starting point for growth."
Anila Moparthi, from the class of 2027 in Mechanical Engineering of UIUC
Anila Moparthi
美国伊利诺伊大学厄巴纳香槟校区（UIUC）2023级机械工程专业本科生
During her exchange study at ZJUI, Anila attended courses such as ME 200 Thermodynamics, PHYS 213 University Physics: Thermology, TAM 212 Introductory Dynamics, and TAM 251 Introductory Solid Mechanics. The interweaving of disciplines spanning engineering science and fundamental physics allowed her to deeply appreciate the innovative vitality born from the blending and collision of interdisciplinary knowledge. She particularly cherished the opportunity to work on projects in teams with students from different countries—the collision of diverse cultures transformed experimental operations and data analysis from dry numbers into carriers of vivid intellectual sparks and innovative inspirations. These experiences not only deepened her understanding of professional knowledge but also taught her how to draw strength from multicultural teams.
Chinese has long been a bond for Anila. Before coming to ZJUI, she had been studying Chinese for years. At ZJUI, this bond deepened significantly. To further improve her Chinese, she enrolled in the Intermediate Chinese II-2 course, but also discovered a more vivid way to learn while wandering—those Chinese characters hidden in road signs, cafeteria menus, and storefront posters were actually "living textbooks." She realized the best way for practicing was never the notebook she carried, but rather the real moments when she observed life’s details with care and mustered the courage to speak up. These moments transformed Chinese characters from static symbols on paper into a warm medium of communication, and through each stroke of writing and each word in conversation, her connection to China grew clearer with every passing day.
During this fulfilling and challenging academic journey, Anila visited the Xi'an Terracotta Warriors and wandered through the winding corridors of Suzhou Gardens. Her travels were more than a geographical journey—they were a life journey where cultural heritages reflected each other through experience and quietly merged in moments of resonance.
Laverne, from the class of 2026 in Engineering Product Development of SUTD
Laverne（洪沁萱）
新加坡科技设计大学（SUTD）2022级工程产品开发专业本科生
The language barrier and life differences here left Laverne feeling disoriented in the early days after arriving at ZJUI. However, the strong international atmosphere on campus quickly became a bridge for her to adapt. What warmed her heart most was that her friendly classmates always offered timely help whenever she faced confusion. Most notably, her room in the Residential College was like a "mini global village," with Thailand roommate and Chinese neighbors. After a short adjustment period, she gradually found her sense of belonging in this foreign land and began to enjoy this unique journey.
During her exchange semester at ZJUI, Laverne selected four courses based on her interests. In addition to professional courses like ME 330 Engineering Materials and ME 360 Signal Processing, she chose ECON 102 Principles of Microeconomics to broaden her intellectual horizons. She noted that ZJUI’s curriculum, which spans disciplinary boundaries and integrates Chinese and foreign educational philosophies, not only allows her to freely select courses aligned with her interests and career plans but also enables her to deeply experience the complementarity of Chinese and American educational models within a complete English teaching environment—she can engage in American-style critical thinking exercises while gaining insights into the underlying logic of local industrial development through Chinese professors’ case-based teaching.
As Laverne has been long accustomed to Singapore’s year-round summer climate, adapting to Zhejiang’s bitter winters was initially no small challenge. But over time, she was deeply attracted by the spell of the unique charms this land revealed with each seasonal shift. Laverne was particularly enchanted by the dreamlike campus scenery that unfolded here.
During her study breaks, she would often set out alone—exploring Hangzhou’s poetic tree-lined trails, Nanjing’s stone steps steeped in history, Beijing’s majestic red walls, Shanghai’s alleyways filled with distinct cosmopolitan charm, and Tianjin’s bustling streets. Everywhere she visited, she immersed herself fully, gathering unique experiences that became deeply her own.
As time slipped by, Laverne and Anila’s exchange life at ZJUI is now drawing to a close. For them, this unique experience has been far more than just language learning and cultural exploration—it has been a profound inner journey of self-discovery. Their time here has opened a door to a new version of themselves, allowing them to reshape their perspectives and foster growth. Also, the journey alongside ZJUI will undoubtedly become a shining and invaluable treasure in their lives, forever illuminating their paths forward.
