First steps toward China: My start at XJTLU

Hello friends! My name is Catharin, I’m a Business Administration student, and ever since the beginning of my studies, I knew that I wanted to spend my semester abroad in Southeast Asia. At the same time, I quickly faced the question of how and where I could best make this plan a reality.

It was particularly important to me that the courses would be taught in English, despite the local language. About a year in advance, I attended an informational session at my university, which is when I first came across the organization World of Students. From the very first impressions I got from their website, I knew that China was the place for me. The decision to attend Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) in Suzhou felt surprisingly right—and came quickly.

This decision was finally confirmed during my first free consultation. From that moment on, my preparation officially began. With the support of Marisa, my contact person, what initially seemed like an overwhelming application process became a well-structured and manageable path. Step by step, I collected all the necessary documents, and I quickly realized how valuable this guidance was. Without the help of World of Students—and especially Marisa—the application process would have been much more stressful and uncertain. So the relief and joy were immense when the acceptance letter finally arrived in April 2025.

With the acceptance in hand, I could then take care of the visa. Since my semester abroad lasts half a year, I only needed the X1 student visa. Looking back, this step was also much simpler than expected, as the visa could be applied for conveniently online.

At the same time, financial planning naturally played a big role. Luckily, I had started saving early and could also count on my parents’ support. The tuition fees are relatively high, and no scholarships are offered, which made thorough preparation especially important. The tuition had to be paid as early as July 2025, while the rent for the first three months of my dorm room and the deposit were only due upon my arrival.

Finally, the big moment drew closer: packing my suitcase, saying goodbye, finishing last preparations, and booking the flight. At the end of August 2025, I finally arrived in Shanghai—full of excitement, curiosity, and a little nervousness. Even there, I met my first international fellow students, who quickly became friends. Now, after a few weeks, I’m fully immersed, and my dream of studying abroad in China has become a reality!