China is one of the most fascinating countries in the world — but what is it really like to study there as a foreigner?
I had the unique opportunity to experience both high school and university life in China, and these two periods couldn’t have been more different. From strict routines to unexpected cultural habits, studying in China taught me not only about academics but also about discipline, independence, and adapting to a completely different system.
Here’s how my daily life looked in both high school and university — and why I think Chinese high school is even harder than university.
Studying in a Chinese High School: Discipline, Pressure, and Early Mornings
At 16, I spent one year in Guangzhou through an AFS exchange program, living with a Chinese host family and attending a local high school — a totally immersive experience that opened my eyes to the Chinese education system.
My days would start early in the morning, waking up around 6 am, putting on my blue-and-white school uniform, and catching the bus with my host sister. Before class, we’d sometimes grab breakfast on the way — usually something simple like steamed buns or steamed dumplings.
The school routine was incredibly structured. Every hour was marked by something — classes, small breaks, or even eye relaxation exercises where everyone would stop and massage their heads and eyes (something I’d never seen before!). Every Monday morning, all students would gather in the playground for the flag-raising ceremony, singing the national anthem before starting the week.
At first, it was tough — I didn’t speak Chinese, and all the lessons were in Mandarin. But the teachers gave me special assignments with Chinese vocabulary lists to learn, and later I had one-on-one Chinese classes with the other exchange student in my school. I used to spend my afternoons in the library self-studying or preparing for our Chinese exams.
What really shocked me was how much pressure Chinese students were under. Many of my classmates would study late into the evening to prepare for the Gaokao, China’s national university entrance exam, which is one of the hardest exams in the world. High school in China isn’t just about learning – it’s about proving yourself.
University Life in China: Freedom and Independence
If Chinese high school was all about discipline and pressure, university was a completely different experience. I studied International Business at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies in Guangzhou, where the atmosphere was much more relaxed.
I lived in the university dormitories, which were very basic but super affordable — a completely different lifestyle compared to renting an apartment in the city center. One thing that surprised me was how huge Chinese campuses are — literally like small cities with canteens, supermarkets, gyms, and everything you could need inside.
A typical day at university was much more independent: attending classes in the morning, grabbing lunch with classmates, and spending the afternoons either studying in the library or working on group projects. The university also offered a lot of cultural activities for foreign students like calligraphy, Kung Fu, or Cantonese language courses, which is something I really appreciated.
However, studying in China always comes with its own challenges — especially when you’re studying in a language that isn’t your own. Even though the workload was lighter compared to high school, keeping up with classes and exams and Chinese language required constant effort and adaptability.
What These Experiences Taught Me
Living and studying in China wasn’t always easy — especially during high school, when I felt completely out of my comfort zone. But these experiences shaped me in ways I could never have imagined.
High school taught me discipline and resilience, while university gave me the freedom to discover my independence in an international environment.
If you’re thinking about studying in China, my biggest advice is:
Embrace the differences, be patient with yourself, and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone.