With anticipation and longing for the unknown, I embarked on an exchange journey to Szczecin University in Poland in September 2024. And this journey has been an unparalleled chapter in my life.
Before the exchange, I knew little about this country. What I knew was mainly about its history, and I had never even heard of the city of Szczecin. However, when I truly stepped into this city, Szczecin completely conquered me with its unique charm. Here, there are not only time-honored buildings quietly telling the stories of the past, but also parks full of lush greenery and the sparkling Baltic Sea, which add a touch of vitality and tranquility to the city. Every time I strolled through the streets, I could discover new surprises. Whether it was the delicate cafes or the warm and friendly locals, they all made me feel that Szczecin was beautiful, full of warmth and vitality. In fact, it's not just Szczecin. Other cities in Poland, such as the capital Warsaw and Kraków in the south, have all left me with different wonderful memories.
During this exchange journey, I experienced a different teaching method. Firstly, apart from some compulsory courses, students can choose some courses on their own and have the option to audit the courses before making a final decision. Secondly, in addition to lectures, 
there are also discussion classes here. This means that students need to fully exert their subjective initiative and participate in class discussions. The role of the teachers is to give topics and guide students. Thirdly, students can share any ideas related to the subject in class, which would all receive feedback from the teachers. Finally, in class, the teacher is more like a friend spreading knowledge -- he may also eat snacks when hungry during class, discuss the practicality of tasks with you, and correct your immature behaviors or ideas.
This exchange journey enabled me to accumulate rich and colorful life experiences. Due to my initial discomfort with Polish cuisine, I started to fend for myself. Before this journey, I could only cook fried rice with eggs and scrambled eggs with tomatoes. Fortunately, the supermarket was very close to my dormitory and I liked to go to the supermarket every day. Gradually, I got to know the local prices and eating habits and began to look for recipes every day to cook different dishes for myself.
Now, scallion and ginger chicken burritos and braised pork with fermented bean curd have become my specialties, and of course, my list of specialties is still growing. Notably, in the day of the International Culture Festival, I also tried tea eggs and dumplings. My friends and I coincidentally put on cheongsams and shared the process of making lacquer paintings. Through this activity, I was fortunate to make a new friend and get to know his lovely and happy family. This experience not only made me feel the sincere friendship and the warmth of family, but also made me deeply realize the charm and importance of cultural exchanges, as well as the fact that the connection between people can transcend cultural and language barriers and create precious emotions and memories.
In my spare time, I also traveled to many countries with my friends. We admired the beautiful scenery of different countries, learned about their cultural histories, and tasted their delicious food. We not only forged a deep friendship and got wonderful memories, but also had a deeper understanding of the world. Moreover, I learned to understand and respect differences between different people and countries and developed a more inclusive and open mindset to face all kinds of things in the future. During my solo trips to Hungary, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic, I encountered various difficulties which tested my adaptability and patience. However, it was precisely these experiences that trained me to be calm and composed when facing unexpected situations and taught me how to solve problems independently. Now, being a more independent and stronger person, no matter what kind of difficulties I encounter, I can deal with them more confidently and calmly. Also, because of the regional differences, I love traveling even more and am eager to discover the beauty of life. A ray of sunshine, a novel snack, a party, a hug, a beautiful sunset, and so on can all bring me excitement for a long time.
This exchange experience will always be engraved in my memory. I bravely took a big step in my life, and it has made me more confident, independent, and inclusive. It has also filled me with anticipation for the future. I believe that this experience will be a guiding light on my life path, leading me forward continuously and helping me to meet a better version of myself.
Gu Ningning, MTI Candidate, Class of 2022
