大象传媒

"I come from the Chinese capital, Beijing.听Before I came to Leeds in 2003, Leeds United FC was all I knew of the city. One of my English colleagues advised me to do two things: visit pubs and watch football.听Another colleague, a Leeds University graduate, told me about fish and chips as well as squirrels! I was amazed! Squirrels? In Beijing we only see them in a zoo or in the mountains!

Five years on, fish and chips, squirrels and pubs are no longer strangers to me. And I have learned and experienced so much more. I have developed a huge emotional tie with the city.

In Leeds universities, Chinese students make up the biggest single ethnic group. I interviewed some students who talked about culture shock and Yorkshire people.

Ivy studying hard in the library

The UK's expensive tuition fees (non-EU students pay three times more than domestic and EU students), high retail prices, miles instead of metres, shops closing by 6pm were all shocks for Chinese new arrivals.听What impressed them was the greenery, blue skies, clouds and little animals; also noted was the friendliness of local people who greet them - "Hi luv" - with a smile, and people holding doors for others.听

Mandy talked about her hospital experience. "After the operation, they gave me sandwiches. That's unbelievable. In our culture, families would prepare nutritious chicken soup for the patients.

Back in China, the shock was the other way. Doris was uncomfortable in packed buses and shops and missed personal space.听The frantic lifestyle and changing cities form a sharp contrast to the UK.

Socialising with English students is challenging due to language barriers, the unfamiliar pub culture and a shortage of time to play games and share hobbies.

However the gains are huge. Chinese students, along with other international students, annually contribute 拢10 billion to the UK's economy.听They act as unofficial ambassadors and promote understanding about China. In return, they take back knowledge, skills and values to China.