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本文是由来自数据科学学院、逸夫书院的印尼国际生Vincent撰写的一篇关于港中大（深圳）校园生活的文章。他目前担任传讯及公共关系处的学生助理。

他在文章中写道，尽管身在异国他乡求学，但港中大（深圳）温馨的氛围让自己感觉在这趟旅程中并不孤单。这所大学鼓励学生掌握自己的生活， 自由做自己，在热情包容的氛围中追求希望和抱负。他认为这是香港中文大学（深圳）真正与众不同的地方，有机会体验这一切，对于他而言是弥足珍贵的经历。

接下来，就让我们跟随着他的视角，看看他眼中的港中大（深圳）的校园生活吧！

This article is about campus life at CUHK-Shenzhen written by an international student assistant.

He wrote in the article that although he was studying in a foreign country, the warm atmosphere of CUHK-Shenzhen made him feel that he was not alone in this journey. The University encourages students to take charge of their lives, to be free to be themselves, and to pursue their hopes and aspirations in a warm and inclusive atmosphere. He believes that this is what makes CUHK-Shenzhen truly unique, and it is a precious experience for him to have the opportunity to experience all of this.

It’s certainly not an easy thing to leave behind your friends, your family, and a large part of your life behind to pursue an education abroad. However, a warm welcome of barbecue lessens the uneasiness in one’s heart.

As you listen to the lively chatter around you, you start to realize that you are not alone in your journey. Many of your peers, local and international, are feeling the same mix of excitement and apprehension as you are. They are eager to make new friends and explore this new environment, and yet missing their loved ones back home.

But for now, all of that can be put aside as you bask in the light of the setting sun and the camaraderie of new friends. In spite of the potential carcinogenesis, you take another bite of the black and somewhat burnt barbecue; grateful for the moment of respite in the midst of all the changes and challenges that come with studying abroad. As you look around, you know that you've made the right choice in pursuing this opportunity, and that with a little bit of time and effort, you'll find your place in this new corner of the world.

The Real CUHK-Shenzhen Experience

Or at least, it’s what I would say if I were going to propagandize my experiences here. Well oops, that’s a -100 in social credit. 

Jokes aside, CUHK-Shenzhen is not the most outwardly diverse university in the world, it is far from it. While there is a smattering of international students here and there, it appears rather homogenous; as most people you’ll get to meet are Chinese, and Indonesian; or rather Chinese-Indonesians. Of course, there are a smidgen of students that hail from here and there as well. Around campus you’ll see students of African, East Asian, Eastern European, South Asian, South East Asian, and Western European origin out and about.

Nevertheless, there is certainly more to the university than meets the eye. While the Longgang campus doesn’t seem outwardly diverse, it contains an eclectic cast of characters. From the quiet and studious, to the outgoing and adventurous, there’s a wide range of personalities to be found among the students, each with their own unique stories, perspectives, and hobbies to share.

While people might appear reticent and reserved at first, one would find that many are eager to make a connection. This is especially true for students here, where the initial reservedness can be attributed to the homogeneity. But once you break the ice and start talking to someone (and get their WeChat), you’ll often find that they’re an affable bunch with plenty of interesting opinions (and food) to share.

During my time here in Shenzhen, I have had the great fortune to come across and interact with many interesting people. Some of whom are now the best of my friends. I’d say it’s one of the best perks of studying abroad — the opportunity to meet new people and form lasting friendships that span the globe. Whether it is a roommate that shares your passion for a particular hobby, a local resident who shows you around the city and beyond, or another international student who drags you around the country to travel, these friendships can be some of the most rewarding and meaningful parts of studying abroad.
An advantage of the college system here is that you get to be around them for an extended period of time. Living and studying in the same college or dormitory with friends and classmates can be a unique and immersive experience that allows the forming of deeper bonds and connections with them. Sharing meals, attending classes, events, and going on trips together certainly fosters a sense of community and belonging that can be hard to replicate in other scenarios. It’s hard to imagine another time in your life where you can just walk up to a friend’s room and wake them up to go on an impromptu trip to the vending machine at 3am in the morning.

Since the university is relatively small as well, you might even get the chance to know your professors and administrators on a more personal level as well. This could lead to valuable mentorship opportunities and perhaps even a lasting friendship that could help bridge the gap between the academic and cultural environments you will find yourself in.

But in my opinion, the best aspect of all is the freedom afforded to students here. Yes, the freedom to explore and pursue passions is one of the hallmarks of a great university experience. This freedom comes in many forms, from choosing courses that align with personal interests, to clubs and volunteering to reflect your hobbies, passions, and convictions, as well as engaging in research or other independent projects to delve deeper within a subject area.

For those of more worldly proclivities, the freedom to travel across China is an added perk of studying here. As students, we get the freedom to explore not just the local municipality, but the greater country as well. While Shenzhen itself is a modern Tier-1 city itself, those seeking more vibrancy and dynamism need only take a short train-ride over to Hong Kong just across the border.

For those who prefer the picturesque wonders of nature and Ancient China instead, the provinces of Yunnan and Sichuan are less than a day away by high-speed rail. Of course, traveling in China can also be challenging at times, particularly during the peak holiday seasons such as the Chinese New Year; and doubly so if you don't speak the language or are unfamiliar with the culture. But with a sense of adventure, an open mind, and some good friends to help carry your bags, the rewards of exploring the country are well worth the effort.

While I feel that traveling the country is the best way to spend your time here, there are of course people who are less travel-oriented and content with staying put. For the homebodies out there, the campus itself is rather picturesque, with plenty of spots and activities to rest and recover from the grueling academic workload.

Many stay within the confines of the library to read, study, or sleep. Some others go to the gym and work out a sweat after a long day of lectures. Maybe take a stroll around campus and snap pictures of the beautiful environment, or hit up a friend or professor for a chat over a shared meal. 
Either way, I feel that this university encourages students to take ownership of our own lives. The freedom to be ourselves, and pursue our hopes and aspirations in a welcoming and inclusive community is what truly sets CUHK-Shenzhen apart, and I am certainly glad to have had the chance to experience it all.

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传讯及公共关系处（CPRO）出品

文案、图片：Vincentius Janssen（邓偉政） 

2019级 数据科学学院 逸夫书院

排版：郑骁

2022级 经管学院 道扬书院