Academic

From Singapore to Shanghai: My Fudan Exchange Story

My NTU GEM Winter Studies Experience at Fudan University

When I first applied for the NTU GEM Winter Studies programme, I saw it as a short overseas academic opportunity. Looking back now, it became much more than that. My one month exchange at Fudan University in Shanghai was not only my first time studying in China, but also my first time travelling abroad alone. It was an experience that challenged me academically, pushed me out of my comfort zone, and helped me become more independent and confident.

For one month, Shanghai became more than just a city I visited. It became the place where I studied, explored, adapted, and created memories that will stay with me for a long time.

Why I Chose the Programme

One of the main reasons I joined the NTU GEM Winter Studies programme was because it was a short-term exchange. I wanted the experience of living and studying overseas, but I also wanted something that could fit within my university schedule. This programme gave me the chance to step outside Singapore, experience a new country, and learn in a different academic environment without committing to a full semester abroad.

I was especially interested in Fudan University because of its strong reputation and academic standing. Since it was the China option available under the programme, I felt it was a valuable opportunity that I should not miss. Studying in Shanghai also made the programme even more attractive to me since it is known as a global city with strong connections to business, finance, and technology, making it the perfect place to learn something new.

Another reason I joined was because the academic theme matched my personal interests. Although I major in Mechatronics Engineering, I have always had a strong interest in finance. I enjoy learning about markets, trading strategies, and how technology can be applied in the financial world. Because of that, studying AI and its applications in finance felt like the ideal combination of my technical background and my curiosity about finance.

Learning About AI in Finance

The academic part of the exchange was one of the most interesting aspects of the programme. During the course, I was introduced to topics related to finance economics, trading strategies, and the broader use of artificial intelligence in financial applications. We explored ideas such as forecasting, risk analysis, machine learning, natural language processing, fintech use cases, and financial decision-making supported by data.

What I found most valuable was that the learning was not limited to just exciting possibilities. The course also showed that applying AI in finance comes with many practical constraints. It is easy to talk about smart models and predictive systems, but real-world finance is much more complicated. Data quality matters a lot. If the data is poor, the output can be misleading. Explainability is also important, because financial systems cannot rely only on black-box predictions when real money, risk, and trust are involved. On top of that, regulation and implementation challenges mean that even strong technical models must be practical, responsible, and understandable.

Beyond technical knowledge, the exchange also helped me strengthen several academic skills. I improved my ability to frame problems, analyse ideas across disciplines, and communicate insights more clearly. Since my background is in engineering, this exposure to finance made me appreciate the value of interdisciplinary learning even more. It reminded me that innovation often happens when different fields come together.

Student Life in Shanghai

What made this exchange especially memorable was that learning did not stop when class ended. My everyday routine in Shanghai became part of the experience itself.

On most weekdays, I would wake up at around 6.00 a.m., get ready by 7.00 a.m., and then head out to start my day. Sometimes I would grab breakfast, and sometimes I would sit in a café before going to the Fudan library to do my work until noon. Later, I would meet my new friends for lunch at the Fudan canteen, which became one of the simple but enjoyable parts of daily student life. In the afternoon, from 1.30 p.m. to 4.20 p.m., I attended the AI course. After class, I often used the rest of the day to explore Shanghai.

That routine may sound simple, but it made me feel fully immersed in the experience. I was not just visiting famous places. I was living a student life in a new city, learning how to manage my schedule, adapt to the environment, and build my own rhythm in a foreign country.

Exploring Shanghai Beyond the Classroom

Shanghai itself taught me a lot. It is a city with incredible energy. Everything felt fast, efficient, and alive. There was always something to see, somewhere to go, or something new to try.

Among the places I visited, Nanjing Road stood out the most to me. I loved the atmosphere there. It was filled with shops, bright lights, and so much good food. Walking along Nanjing Road made me feel the pulse of the city. It captured the excitement of Shanghai in a way that was unforgettable.

At the same time, one of the highlights of the trip was definitely Shanghai Disneyland. I wanted to include this because it was such a special part of the experience. What made it especially memorable was Zootopia, which is one of the unique attractions that makes the Shanghai park stand out. Seeing an attraction that felt so exclusive to Disneyland made the visit even more exciting. It was one of those moments where I felt how special it was to be in this particular city, in this particular country, having an experience I could not easily find elsewhere.

Adapting to a New Environment

Since this was my first time in China and my first time travelling alone, many parts of daily life felt new to me. One thing that stood out immediately was how important Chinese digital platforms are in everyday routines. I had to learn how to use apps such as Alipay and WeChat, especially for payments and communication. At first, it was unfamiliar and slightly stressful, but learning to use these tools became part of adapting to the local system.

This small challenge taught me something bigger: when you enter a new environment, you cannot expect everything to work the way it does at home. You have to observe, learn quickly, and be willing to adjust. That mindset helped me not only in practical situations, but also in how I approached the entire exchange.

Growing More Independent and Confident

More than anything else, travelling alone changed me personally.

Because I went to Shanghai by myself, I had to take initiative in everything. I had to navigate unfamiliar places, solve small daily problems, and most importantly, socialise on my own. There was no familiar comfort zone to stay inside. I had to talk to people, introduce myself, and make connections. In many ways, I had to confront my fear of rejection.

That turned out to be one of the most rewarding parts of the exchange. By forcing myself to interact with others, I grew more confident in making friends and more comfortable putting myself out there. I also became more confident in using Mandarin, which made the experience even more meaningful for me.

One of my favourite memories from the trip was when I tried to use Mandarin to order food. I was nervous, but I still wanted to try. The staff noticed my effort and dedication, and she even gave me a free dessert. It was a small moment, but to me it meant a lot. It felt like proof that I was growing, not only in confidence, but also in my willingness to embrace discomfort and learn through experience.

Friendship, Perspective, and What I Took Away

Another major part of the exchange was the people I met along the way. I made friends from China, Europe, and the USA, and those interactions opened my mind to different perspectives and experiences. Talking to people from different countries reminded me that there are many ways to think, learn, and live. Those conversations made the exchange richer and more meaningful.

What I gained from this programme goes far beyond the classroom. I gained friendships, cross-cultural experience, and a broader view of the world. I also developed a deeper appreciation for China. For me, it felt like a country that was affordable, safe, and full of opportunities to explore, and I was especially happy that I had the chance to practise my Mandarin there in real life.

My biggest takeaway is that growth happens most when we place ourselves in unfamiliar environments. This exchange pushed me academically, socially, and personally. It showed me that learning does not only happen through lectures and assignments. It also happens through travel, adaptation, conversation, and the courage to try something new.

This experience also connects closely to my future interests. As someone studying engineering while being interested in entrepreneurship, AI, and finance, this exchange reminded me that the future belongs to people who are willing to think across disciplines and across cultures. It gave me a broader perspective on how these fields can come together and how global exposure can shape both personal growth and career direction.

Final Reflection

My month at Fudan University was much more than a winter exchange. It was a journey that taught me how to adapt, how to connect with people, and how to grow through unfamiliar experiences. I left Shanghai not only with new academic knowledge, but also with greater confidence, stronger independence, and memories that I will always value.

I am grateful to NTU GEM and Fudan University for making this opportunity possible. This experience has become one of the most meaningful chapters of my university journey, and I know its impact will stay with me long after the exchange ends.

Suramit Boonsom (Fa)