As interaction between Macao and Mainland China grows increasingly close, so too have academic exchanges. During academic year 2024/2025, two students from the Macao University of Tourism (UTM) stepped out of their familiar environment, eagerly heading to two major Chinese cities—Beijing and Shenzhen—for an unforgettable exchange journey. These experiences not only expanded their professional knowledge but also provided an in-depth understanding of local development, allowing them to fully immerse themselves in the unique local culture. Additionally, the journeys enriched their future plans and inspired them to become stronger at tackling challenges.
A Quest through Imperial City for breakthroughs
Yang Yinhang, a second-year master's student in international hospitality and tourism management from Zhejiang province, decided to undertake an exchange at the Beijing International Studies University after careful consideration. During his time in the capital, Yinhang enjoyed the opportunity to admire the precious historical treasures of the ancient city in his leisure time. He said, “I visited many magnificent and solemn historical sites, such as Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Experiencing the rich historical charm of these sites in person filled me with awe for Chinese history.”
For Yinhang, wandering through the bustling and winding alleys of old Beijing, surrounded by stories imbued with cultural sentiments, felt like stepping into a long history, where he could seek inspiration for his tourism research.
When discussing the most memorable moments from the exchange, Yinhang mentioned his presentation on tourism consumption behaviour in the classroom. Despite being unfamiliar with the journal articles of experimental methods distributed by the instructor, he dedicated considerable time to preparations and attentively listened to his classmates' reports. Eventually, Yinhang's presentation received praise from the faculty member. This experience boosted his confidence and motivated him to pursue excellence with a confident attitude.
During his stay there, Yinhang faced a mental block during the summer while writing a thesis, struggling to move forward. Thanks to his mentor's professional guidance and systematic teaching, Yinhang was able to expand his thinking, enabling smooth progress in his writing. He recalled, “When facing bottlenecks and difficulties, it was crucial to break the thinking patterns you were used to—not be bound by preoccupied ideas—and to actively seek better incentives to push myself further.”
Reflecting on this exchange experience, Yinhang realised the invaluable insights he gained from stepping out of the comfort zone. He advised fellow students to embrace any opportunity with a positive and open attitude, plan their time wisely, and fully experience the unique culture of the host city.
Shenzhen: An Eye-opener
Carrie Yin Jiawei, a second-year master's student in international tourism management from Guangzhou, embarked on an exchange journey to the Shenzhen University. Although she initially hoped to exchange abroad, considering Mainland China's rapid development in recent years, she ultimately chose the university in the Greater Bay Area—a decision that became a lifelong unforgettable experience, leaving her deeply enriched.
The abundant teaching resources provided by the Shenzhen University broadened Carrie’s horizons and significantly enhanced her academic development. Additionally, the diverse selection of courses in both Chinese and English allowed her to flexibly arrange her personal study plan. Carrie, who has a keen interest in foreign cultures, particularly enjoyed the cross-cultural interaction in international courses, enabling her to engage in in-depth discussions with international students from around the world, becoming a profound learning experience.
Carrie’s campus life was vibrant. She lived on the picturesque Lihu campus, which boasts modern facilities designed for students. Although she occasionally came across minor life struggles, they did not affect her overall experience. The delicious street snacks outside the campus also added rich flavours to her exchange journey.
Despite the limited exchange time, Carrie built deep friendships with her classmates. Participating in the activities of an animal welfare group there with friends who shared her love for cats, and supporting rescue and adoption efforts in her spare time deeply moved her and brought significant achievements to her life.
Furthermore, Carrie was astonished by the intense domestic job market and academic competition. Seeing her friends' tremendous efforts in job hunting made her keenly aware of the importance of self-improvement and continuous learning. She said, “I believe my experience at the Shenzhen University has greatly opened my eyes. My exchange period coincided with the mainland's fall recruitment, letting me feel the diversity of local industries and the increasingly competitive job market there.”