Jelena, one of our cultural exchange participants in China, writes to us from Yuyao, Zhejiang province. She’s been there for a month now, and here’s what she had to share about her experience so far:
I’m writing from China, where I’ve been living as part of a cultural exchange program in this beautiful country. Even though I’ve been here for a month, it honestly feels like only two weeks have passed. I’ll be staying for two more months, and I really hope they don’t fly by too fast—this program has been wonderfully designed.
In my free time, I love working out or simply going for walks around the city. I enjoy being outdoors, and every time I turn down a new street, something amazes me—whether it’s the architecture or the people. So many things are different compared to life back home, and I find that super interesting. On days when it’s too hot to go outside, I stay in and read.
One of my favorite parts of the program is the Chinese language lessons, which I have twice a week. I genuinely enjoy them. The language can be challenging, but that’s also what makes it so beautiful. And learning it is much easier when you’re surrounded by native speakers.
Jelena also shared her impressions of life with her host family and her thoughts on her new home:
The family I’m staying with has been incredibly kind and welcoming. They really make me feel like an equal member of the household. It took me a little while to adjust to life here, but they made the transition so much easier. I always have delicious meals waiting for me, and one of the things I loved most was their interest in Serbian cuisine—we even cooked together and learned from each other!
They also really respect my personal space and free time, which I appreciate deeply.
Yuyao, the city I live in, isn’t very big, but it’s lovely. With its parks, restaurants, and shopping centers, it feels like the perfect place to relax. The locals are incredibly friendly. Since it’s not a big tourist destination, people are curious and eager to chat. At first, it was a little awkward because I felt like everyone was staring at me—but I got used to it quickly. Now, I actually enjoy it when someone comes up to say hello or asks for a photo.
Yuyao isn’t a complicated city, but if you get a bit disoriented, it can be tricky to find your way. Still, that’s part of the adventure.
Here’s what Jelena had to say about working with the team behind the program:
From the very beginning, I had support at every step—starting with the application all the way through to my arrival in China. The paperwork isn’t hard to gather, and the preparation for the visa interview really helped, especially since I was super nervous. Both the local coordinators in China and the ones in Serbia were always available to answer questions and help out with anything I needed. And believe me, once you’re in China, you will have questions—because the culture and mentality are very different from back home.
And her message for future participants?
Three months might sound like a long time. Living in a completely new culture can feel intimidating. It takes courage to take that first step—but once you do, everything gets easier. If you’ve ever wondered what life is like in the East, in the world’s most populous country, this is your chance to find out.
If you’re curious about China and want to experience what this country has to offer firsthand, I highly recommend signing up for the cultural exchange program. You won’t regret it.
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