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."
From the curiosity and apprehension upon first arrival, to the surprises and gains during exploration, and finally to the resilient growth amid transformation—let us together witness the wonderful journey they have undertaken in this cross-cultural exchange.
1.Across the Pacific: A Journey of Self-Transcendence
Anila Moparthi, from the class of 2027 in Mechanical Engineering of UIUC
Upon first arriving in a foreign land, everything was filled with novelty and unknown challenges. When Anila first stepped into ZJUI, the unfamiliar environment enveloped her like a tide. “In my first few days at ZJUI, I hadn’t yet gotten a Chinese phone number. The first time I tried using the laundry facilities of Residential College, I ran into a problem— the machine required a Chinese phone number for verification to start. Luckily, a student noticed that I was struggling and warmly offered to help. With her assistance, I went through the steps, and finally managed to do my laundry. Later, she also guided me through registering for a Chinese phone number. Even now, I still feel grateful for her kindness—that warm gesture made me feel genuine friendship in a foreign country,”Anila said.
During her exchange at ZJUI, Anila systematically took courses such as ME200 Thermodynamics, PHYS 213 University Physics: Thermotics, TAM 212 Introduction to Dynamics, and TAM 251 Introduction to Solid Mechanics. The interplay of these disciplines—spanning engineering science and fundamental physics—gave her a profound sense of the innovative vitality sparked by the collision and integration of interdisciplinary knowledge. "When the theoretical model of 'microscopic molecular thermal motion' in class transitioned from formula derivations in textbooks to a hands-on laboratory experiment where I measured specific heat capacity with precision instruments, the abstract theories suddenly gained a tangible 'warmth.' These courses not only expanded the boundaries of my knowledge for understanding complex engineering problems but also helped me develop problem-solving abilities through the mutual verification of theory and practice, laying a solid foundation for my future in-depth exploration of engineering science," Anila shared with us.
She particularly cherished the opportunity to work on projects with classmates from different countries. The interaction of diverse cultures transformed experimental operations and data analysis from mere dull numbers into vibrant intellectual sparks and innovative ideas. While communication styles rooted in different cultural backgrounds varied—sometimes leading to heated discussions due to divergent viewpoints—it was precisely these collisions that evolved experiments from standardized procedures into creative explorations. To tackle challenges together, Anila and her team members often gathered around the lab computer, engaging in lively debates over screens filled with data. These experiences not only deepened her understanding of professional knowledge but also taught her how to draw strength from collaborative efforts in diverse teams.
Chinese has long been a bond for Anila and far China. Even before coming to ZJUI, she had spent years with this language: a Chinese character learning app on her phone documented her perseverance in learning characters stroke by stroke, neatly written notes of dialogues from TV dramas captured her focus on imitating tones, and even the dense flashcards with Pinyin and new words by her dorm bed silently testified her curiosity about these Chinese characters. These learning moments hidden in daily life had long since built up her connection with Chinese.
Since arriving at ZJUI, this bond has only grown deeper. To further improve her Chinese, she enrolled in the "Intermediate Chinese II-2" course. To memorize character structures, she carefully traced Chinese characters onto sticky notes, taking them out to practice repeatedly during breaks. Beyond that, she discovered a more vivid way to learn while wandering campus—those characters appeared on road signs, cafeteria menus, and window posters were all "living textbooks" . Passing by the supermarket, Anila would analyze the structure of the characters of the word "notebook" (笔记本), connecting the "bamboo" radical (竹字头) in "笔" (brush) to the actual brush tips on the shelf. She realized that when Chinese characters are linked to concrete objects in daily life, memorization becomes exponentially more effective than mechanical copying—the best "calligraphy practice book" has never been a small pad of paper, but rather the moments of observing life details with intention and the courage to speak up in conversation. These moments transformed characters from static symbols on a page into a warm medium of communication, and made her connection with China grow clearer with every stroke of brush and every word exchanged.
▲ The exercises Anila did while learning Chinese
During this rich and challenging academic journey, Anila came to appreciate and understand Chinese culture deeply. She paused to marvel at the Xi'an Terracotta Warriors Pit and wandered through the winding corridors of Suzhou gardens. Beyond being a geographical journey, every step Anila took was a life experience where cultural identities illuminated each other through direct engagement and gently merged in moments of resonance.
▲ Photos Anila took while traveling in Xi’an
Anila’ sharing
After returning to UIUC, I will strongly recommend my classmates to join the exchange program at ZJUI—this experience is not just an accumulation of knowledge, but also an expansion of horizons. An international and dynamically interdisciplinary educational environment is here to enable all-round growth through the collision of diverse cultures. Furthermore, ZJUI’s curriculum and teaching resources interact seamlessly with those of UIUC, ensuring academic continuity while offering entirely new learning experiences. I believe everyone who embarks on this journey will, within its cross-cultural classrooms and daily life, encounter a broader academic landscape and a more resilient version of themselves.
02 From Strangeness to Belongingness: Daring to Soar Beyond Horizons
Laverne, from the class of 2026 in Engineering Product Development of SUTD
Same as Anila, when Laverne first arrived at ZJUI, she had to face head-on the various discomforts and tensions of being in a foreign land. Language barriers and differences in lifestyle rhythms left her feeling somewhat at a loss in those early days. However, the excellent international atmosphere of the Campus quickly became her bridge to adjustment—the collisions of multicultural perspectives in class, the study experiences willingly shared by lab partners, and even the accented greeting “Need help?” in cafeteria all quietly dissolved her sense of alienation. What warmed her most was that the enthusiastic and friendly classmates here always reached out promptly when she was confused.“The students around me would always take the initiative to chat with me, share their lives, and help me integrate into the new environment. Most uniquely, my dormitory was like a ‘mini global village.’ Living daily with my Thai roommate, I was surrounded by the unique passion and exuberance from Southeast Asia; while my Chinese neighbors brought the gentle elegance unique to the Jiangnan water towns. This living environment immersed me in constant multicultural interaction, and gradually, I came to understand the beauty of ‘harmony in diversity’ in subtle ways,”Laverne shared with us. After a brief period of adjustment, she gradually found a sense of belonging in this foreign land and began to embrace this unique journey.
During her exchange at ZJUI, Laverne selected four courses based on her interests. In addition to professional courses like ME330 Engineering Materials and ME360 Signal Processing, she also chose ECON102 Principles of Microeconomics to expand her intellectual boundaries. She noted that ZJUI's curriculum, which bridges disciplinary boundaries and integrates Chinese and foreign educational philosophies, not only allows her to freely select courses based on her interests and career plans but also enables her to deeply experience the complementarity of Chinese and American educational models in a complete English teaching environment—she can both engage in critical thinking training typical of American classrooms through group discussions and gain insight into the underlying logic of local industrial development through case-based teaching by Chinese instructors. "Such course choices have not only enhanced my academic competitiveness but also served as a 'key' to understanding multicultural perspectives, helping me gradually develop problem-solving abilities that align with the needs of a globalized era during studies," Laverne told us.
Laverne admitted frankly that the professional courses were quite challenging. Although her two years of study at the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) had laid a certain foundation, ZJUI professors consistently presented course problems that demanded deep thinking—from multidimensional derivations of theoretical models to innovative applications in real-world cases, each knowledge required her to invest significant energy for digestion and absorption. However, this constant intellectual challenge instead became her driving force: by developing a detailed study plan and proactively seeking advice from faculty and classmates, she successfully overcame weak areas and kept up with the curriculum pace. Looking back on this journey, she reflected that she had not only made strides in professional knowledge but also grown personally, cultivating the courage to face difficulties head-on.
Beyond her professional courses, Laverne’s favorite course was ECON102 Principles of Microeconomics. “In the Principles of Microeconomics course, Associate Professor Zhou Mohan from School of Economics of Zhejiang University skillfully uses real-world cases to transform abstract and obscure economic theories into concrete, vivid, and accessible concepts. From analyzing the business strategies and market competition logic behind WeChat's rapid rise to interpreting local market dynamics, the course shows us the vivid manifestation of economic principles in daily life,” Laverne shared. In her view, this course is far more than a mere compilation of charts and formulas; it has provided her with a unique lens to observe the economic situations of Chinese society.
As someone long accustomed to Singapore’s year-round summer climate, adapting to Zhejiang’s harsh winters was initially a considerable challenge. But over time, she became enchanted by the unique charms this land revealed through its seasonal transformations: red plum blossoms quietly faded, followed by cherry blossoms bursting into radiant bloom, and then lush greenery taking over. Laverne was particularly enamored with the dreamlike campus scenery here. “The European-style architecture set against vibrant flower beds makes me feel stepping into a breathtaking painting,” she shared enthusiastically, her eyes lit with joy.
▲The campus scenery shot by Laverne
For Laverne, travel is another key to unlocking life’s wonders. The rich history and diverse natural landscapes across China’s vast territory, especially the traditional architecture hidden among green tiles and upturned eaves, deeply fascinated her. During breaks from studying, she loved setting out alone—her footsteps wandered along Hangzhou’s poetic pathways, Nanjing’s historic stone steps, Beijing’s solemn red walls, Shanghai’s alleyways filled with Shanghai-style charm, and Tianjin’s bustling streets. At each stop, she immersed herself fully, gathering unique experiences that were entirely her own.“In Tianjin, I attended a cross-talk performance for the first time in my life, and it was absolutely fascinating!”she shared, brimming with excitement and curiosity.“The performers’ humorous language and vivid expressions instantly drew me in, making me burst into laughter. I was completely charmed by this unique art form.”Ever since, she has been eager to bring her family to Tianjin during the summer break, hoping they can experience this distinct joy and beauty too.
▲ The photos Laverne took while traveling during her spare time
Laverne’s Sharing
ZJUI is not only an excellent platform that helps students exchange ideas and pursue growth in their academic explorations, but also a nurturing ground that supports diverse development. Here, we freely navigate through interwoven multicultural threads, immersing ourselves in a journey of profound exploration and experiencing its boundless allure.
As time has quietly slipped by, Laverne and Anila’s exchange 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. With each challenge overcome and each limit broken, they unearthed hidden reserves of courage and perseverance within themselves. Their time here has opened a door to a new version of themselves, allowing them to reshape their perspectives and grow deeply amid the ocean of knowledge and the waves of cross-cultural exchange. This journey alongside ZJUI will undoubtedly become a shining, invaluable treasure in their lives—one that glows brightly as a testament to their transformation.
