Study, work and experience Chinese culture on a semester abroad in Shanghai.

Jonas Nenke and Jonas Kölbel are enrolled in a dual degree program in automation and mechatronics at the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences (HSZG). They are currently in their ninth semester. Frequenz Elektro GmbH is supporting them as a practical partner. After training as an electronics technician specializing in automation technology during his early years of study, Jonas Nenke is currently working in PLC technology. Jonas Kölbel is currently working in costing and will eventually transition to the building automation department.

As part of their program, they are currently spending a semester abroad at Tongji University in Shanghai, one of the most prestigious technical universities in China.

In the following section, they report on their experiences and impressions.

We were introduced to the CDHAW program during our studies at HSZG. This organization specializes in exchange programs to China. In addition to the program in China, we were presented with programs in India, Mexico, and the Czech Republic. After the presentation, we decided to step out of our comfort zones and experience another country, culture, and university.

We wanted to take advantage of this unique opportunity, so we decided to apply for the program. We quickly found several reasons to do so: improving our English skills, cultural exchange, learning new technologies, working in an international environment during our studies, and expanding our social skills. As part of the dual study program, company approval is also required for an application. We were happy to receive approval from our company.

Tongji University's campus is located in the Jiading District, about 25 kilometers outside downtown Shanghai. Compared to HSZG, it is significantly larger and boasts impressive infrastructure. In addition to restaurants, dormitories, and a large sports hall with a swimming pool, there is a magnetic levitation train test track, an autonomous vehicle test track, and specialized laboratories for earthquake and wind simulation, among others. Compared to Germany, life on campus is much more intense. Many Chinese students, in particular, live on campus.

The courses focus on practical content. During our studies in China, we worked on PLC projects (Siemens TIA Portal) and helped commission a KUKA robot with other German and Chinese students. At Tongji University, artificial intelligence is prevalent and actively promoted by lecturers, particularly in programming.

There are numerous bars and clubs in downtown Shanghai. A popular spot was a Mexican bar where many international students met. Another popular spot was a rooftop bar with a view of the colorfully lit city skyline. Since the subway stops running around 11 p.m., people usually take a Didi, the Chinese equivalent of Uber, home.

Food in China is generally much spicier than food in Germany. However, compared to other regions, Shanghai's cuisine is rather mild. Rice and noodle dishes are particularly popular in China. The noodles are often still made by hand. Skewers with vegetables or meat, such as lamb or pork, are also popular.

Overall, the food tastes very good and is comparatively inexpensive. A full meal often costs around €2.50. There are also dishes that may seem strange to us, such as frog, chicken feet, and pig brain. The many different smells in Chinese food markets can seem overwhelming at first.

In addition to our studies, we took the opportunity to explore China in depth. In Shanghai, we visited the Bund, the Shanghai Tower, the Yu Yuan Garden, the Wild Animal Park, and Disneyland.

Jonas Nenke: I traveled to Zhangjiajie with a fellow student to see the famous 'Avatar Mountains. This national park is known for its tall, steep rock formations.

Jonas Kölbel: I took a weekend trip to Sanya, a city on Hainan Island that is also known as the "Chinese Hawaii". There, I visited a national forest park, went swimming, and explored a traditional fishing village on a neighboring island. Together, we explored Xi'an, home to the impressive Terracotta Army and a historic city wall that can be explored by bicycle.

At the end of the semester, we took a trip to Beijing to visit the Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China. The well-developed Chinese high-speed rail network, including night trains, is an ideal means of transportation.

Outside of Shanghai, many Chinese people rarely see foreigners and therefore often react very openly. Sometimes they are photographed or approached. As a European, you are often very popular, and many Chinese people are interested in interacting with and making friends with foreigners.

Jonas Kölbel: After my semester abroad and the exam period, I will return to Germany to finish my diploma program at Frequenz Elektro GmbH. Meanwhile, Jonas Nenke will spend another semester in China, completing an internship at a Chinese company in order to obtain a German-Chinese dual degree. Then, in the summer, he will begin writing his diploma thesis at Frequenz Elektro GmbH.

Overall, we had a very exciting and varied semester, during which we gained valuable experience. We highly recommend studying abroad in China and traveling to China. We got to know China as a country with many different facets.

Shanghai, for example, is a modern city with skyscrapers, an impressive skyline, and numerous surveillance cameras, while more traditional China is represented by its temples and various old towns. Additionally, you learn about the many cultural differences and similarities, which makes the experience particularly enriching.