An Adventure That Changed the Course of My Life – Cultural Exchange in Shanghai

How does it feel to swap Novi Sad for Shanghai? Dušan, a participant in the cultural exchange program with China, shares his unforgettable journey into one of the world’s biggest cities—and how one click changed everything.

One morning, I opened my laptop, casually scrolled through Facebook, and stumbled upon an ad for this very program. With a single click, I launched myself into an adventure that truly changed the course of my life.

The next thing I knew, I was thousands of kilometers away from my home, family, and friends—standing in the heart of Shanghai, China.

This wasn’t my first time stepping outside my comfort zone, so the initial wave of fear that came with such a leap was familiar. But let’s be real—Novi Sad to Shanghai? Now that’s a story worth telling. And honestly, if I were to describe Shanghai to my friends or family in person, I’d probably need two full weeks just to scratch the surface.

This city is a perfect balance of futuristic and traditional.
Gigantic skyscrapers, limitless tech innovation, ancient temples, and peaceful parks preserving centuries of history—all coexist in harmony.

In those first days, I was captivated by everything. The cultural customs, daily quirks, even the tiniest of things completely fascinated me. From delicious food to incredibly respectful and kind people, it was all one huge, eye-opening experience.

The family I live with welcomed me as if I’d been with them for years. And the impact wasn’t just between us—neighbors began noticing me, taking photos, waving in the street. Eventually, they told me it was because they rarely see someone tall, with blue eyes and a long red beard. That’s just one of the countless small but heartwarming moments that made me fall in love with this country.

Thanks to the new friendships I’ve made in Shanghai, the warmth of my host family, and the amazing support from the CAR team, I’ve completely turned my life upside down—in the best way possible. I’ve already started planning my future here, including job opportunities and possibly settling in China long-term.

The beauty of this country, the people, and the rhythm of life here—it’s impossible to fit into one article without it turning into a novel. So I’ll leave you with this:

Join the program. Take the leap. You have no idea how much your life could change.

And to everyone who made this possible—thank you.