Saoirse Dolan - Experience China

Experience China 2025

"A brilliant mix of travel, culture, and learning that challenged me in the right ways and gave me memories I won't forget. Try everything!"

Memorable Moments

One of the most memorable moments was the afternoon at Weisu Bay, even though the weather was absolutely awful. It was raining sideways, the kind that soaks your socks in seconds, but somehow that made it even better. We walked next to a misty lake, tied red ribbons with our wishes to a tree, and then got to dress up in traditional Chinese outfits. I'll never forget how fast the woman styled my hair - it looked like something out of a period drama. Despite the rain, we were laughing the whole time, and it felt like we'd stumbled into a fairy-tale by accident.

Another highlight was the hotpot dinner. Throughout the trip the food we ate was amazing, but in my opinion hotpot took the crown. I'd never eaten anything like it before, everything boiling away at the table while we tried to figure out what half of it even was. It was chaos in the best way. Everyone was leaning over the table, grabbing tofu or mushrooms, all while laughing and trying not to lose things in the broth. There was also a performer doing a face-changing mask act in the middle of it all, which just added to the surreal, joyful chaos. It was one of those meals where you walk away full - not just with food, but with connection.

Another standout moment was visiting Huangshi No.3 High School, where I got chatting to some of the students and nervously tried out my Mandarin. My pronunciation was honestly terrible at that stage - but they were incredibly patient and encouraging. That conversation gave me a boost, and throughout the trip, I kept finding new chances to practise: with shopkeepers, waiters, even people on the street. There was one shopkeeper who even insisted on doing everyone's hair and would always be friendly to us when we came by, even though we only spoke in hand gestures and through translate apps. Those little exchanges became one of the most rewarding parts of the whole trip.

Differences and Similarities

One of the first big differences I noticed was just how communal everything felt. Mealtimes, for example, were always shared, from the big lazy Susans at dinner to everyone reaching into the same hotpot. It wasn't just about food; it was about connection, laughter, and a lot of "what even is this?" moments. At home, we usually plate up and keep to ourselves a bit more. But in China, meals were social events. Even in public spaces, like the street dancing done in most cities that we got to participate in in Huangshi.

At the same time, I was surprised by the number of similarities, especially among students. Talking to people at the university and the high school, I realised we all stress about exams, share memes, and bond over music (even if the TV show style differed slightly, I now have a favourite Chinese singing show thanks to hours of flicking through Chinese TV with my roommate whenever there was a spare moment). There was also the same excitement about going out, trying new things, and taking way too many photos of food. It reminded me that, under all the cultural differences, people really are just... people.

New Connections

At first, I was a bit nervous and I wasn't sure how easy it would be to connect with people. But honestly, it ended up being one of the easiest and most natural parts of the experience. Sharing rooms, meals, buses, and about 80 new experiences a day meant we all bonded pretty quickly. I was lucky to have a brilliant roommate, our nightly ritual of watching Chinese singing shows together became a weirdly comforting highlight of the trip.

What made it easier was that everyone was in the same boat - tired, excited, slightly confused, and open to chatting. Whether it was exploring every shop in the shopping mall or getting soaked in the rain at the Olympic Park, those shared experiences made it easy bond with everyone. Even small things, like changing where I sat at meals or joining in on karaoke, helped me meet different people every day.

And it wasn't just with other students - I found it surprisingly easy to talk to local people too. Whether it was students at the university, high schoolers helping me with my Mandarin, or just friendly strangers in shops, I felt really welcomed.  It made me realise that you don't need perfect language skills to connect - just a bit of effort and a willingness to try.

Advice to Others

My advice? Try everything. Even if you're not sure what it is or what you're saying yes to - that's where the best memories happen. You don't need perfect language or a detailed plan, just a bit of curiosity and a sense of humour.

Oh, and leave space in your suitcase for souvenirs. Trust me on that one.