Meet Yuan from China
Name: Yuan, Yi
Age: 28
From: Hangzhou, China
Field/Programme of Study: Master’s Program in Tourism
Personal Interests: tennis, hiking, reading and music
Favourite thing about Umeå: tranquillity and cosiness, easy accessible to literally everything
Favourite Swedish word or custom: hej, hur är det med dig?
What’s it like to study at Umeå University?
University provides you everything you can think of as either a student or a researcher. Students could engage studies and researches freely, and of course if students need, program directors, professors, lecturers and the other staff are there and happy to assist you at any time.Teacher – student relationship is not like the one in Asia, particularly in Chinese Culture, that has obvious hierarchies. Here we are just like colleagues, friends, or even buddies sometimes. But of course, our initiatives are highly appreciated either in academia or in personal life.
Your impression of Umeå and the surrounding areas?
The first couple of weeks when I arrived in Umeå, I was a bit disappointed since Umeå was indeed a quite small place compared with the big cities that I was familiar with worldwide. But quite soon, this initial impression on Umeå was changed, it was subtle, but you could absolutely tell the differences. Umeå is very tranquil and frees my soul from hassles and bustles in metropolitan urban life. You could wake up with bird chirpings and feel the gentle touches of morning sunlight, particularly in summer and autumn. However, Umeå is definitely not a dead town which has no fun and cool stuff. Around 34,000 people at both universities from the whole world and 80,000 local inhabitants literally could give you everything you want: top of the notch research facilities and teaching team, exciting sport events and tournaments, colourful and energetic nightlife, fusion of worldwide delicacies..., you name it. Trust me, you’ll love your life here. Well, of course, gloomy winters are cold and dreadful, but isn’t it we that could make big differences of it?
What you like best about the town of Umeå and its surroundings?
I would definitely say it is the international ambiance, particularly at student areas that I like the most. I could know so many friends from every country around the world, we studied together, we travelled together, we partied together, we laughed together and we made delicacies together. I’ll treasure all these experiences and friendship in my whole life.
What you would say to another international student thinking of attending Umeå University?
Sweden is a land far away from China and the other Asian countries. Swedish hospitality and warmth could guide you through a meaningful journey in your life. Umeå University, one of the most prestigious universities in Sweden and worldwide, could enrich our perceptions and observations towards world. Knowledge, cultures, collision of ideas and friendship spark up our next journey to the future.
