Reported by Sun Lebing
I have gained a lot during the 5-month exchange period in the Dublin City University, which includes both the learning aspect and the understanding of human life. Due to cultural differences, foreign studies and living conditions are quite different from those in China. This not only improved my adaptability to different cultural backgrounds, but also greatly enhanced my tolerance to cultural differences.
The first week in Dublin is DCU’s freshman week, the school carefully arranged many interesting activities and some useful lectures for us, and organized freshmen to visit the three campuses of DCU, made us familiar with the various buildings. In addition to these, the school also provided free barbecue in All Hallows campus, and arranged city tour, visit the farm and many other activities for us to helps us familiar with Dublin faster. Through those events, I adapted the life in Dublin quickly.
In the DCU, I took three courses, two professional courses, which are Management accounting: Cost System and Decision making, as well as an English course. Courses abroad are quite different with us, there is a weekly tutorial in each course, which is in order to help students consolidate the knowledge better. In the class, the professor will also add some exercises. Many chapters in management accounting involve calculation, so add some examples can help us understand how to use some formulas better. After one semester’s study and systematic review at the end of term, I have achieved a satisfactory result finally.
The pace of life in Dublin is much slower than most cities in China, most of shopping malls will close at six or seven o’clock, and there are only a few large shopping centers will open at weekend, also the school library is closed on Sunday. Because of this, sometimes I spent my weekend free time on enjoying the scenery of Dublin. Dublin, known as the emerald isle, has one of the Europe's largest urban parks-the phoenix park. There are hundreds of wild deer living there, and people can even touch them. Many families also choose to take their children there to have a picnic or take a walk at weekend.
In addition, in Dublin I experienced two big festivals, Halloween and Christmas. Before Halloween, local residents begin to prepare early, they decorate their own homes to create a festive atmosphere. On Halloween, there was a special Halloween parade in the city center, and there were so many people coming to watch it, which make me realize the enthusiasm of Dublin residents for the holiday. The parade only lasted a few minutes, but it was wonderful and impressive. During the Christmas season, the government placed huge Christmas trees in many parts of the street. In the evening, the Christmas lights lighted up together, it is spectacular from a distance.
The 5-month exchange time is fleeting, but this experience will leave a deep impression on my life, and will affect my future choices more or less. Thanks to the business school of Shantou University gave me the opportunity to study abroad as an exchange student. I will work harder to improve myself in many aspects, and constantly urge myself to move forward.
