From Ellwangen to Nanjing: Mario May's adventure in China!

From Ellwangen to Nanjing: Mario May's adventure in China!

Mario May, a 25-year-old graduate, documented his exciting time in Nanjing, China, and will give a lecture on his experiences on November 22nd at 7 p.m. After a year and a half in China, where he completed his master's degree in intercultural German studies, May returns and plans to do his doctorate in Germany. His stay in China was not only an academic challenge, but also a cultural discovery that deeply shaped him.

In Nanjing, May experienced a completely different campus life than in Germany. The campus is like a small town, surrounded by walls and controlled inputs, with everything you need - from supermarkets to sports facilities. With up to 30,000 students on four campus, the University of Nanjing is a real educational giant. May describes how important it was to learn Chinese because most people do not speak English on site. "Without Chinese you are pretty stuck on site," said May.

Insights into the Chinese culture

May not only acquired academic knowledge, but also a deep understanding of the Chinese culture and way of life. "It does a lot with one, this over-the area," he says. His return to Germany was emotional because he misses the digital lifestyle and many shops in China. "I brought a lot of tea with me and now listen to more Chinese music," he adds.

His experience in China also shaped him in terms of the perception of Germany. "Germany was very highly regarded by the Chinese for years, but perception has changed a bit," explains May. While German cars were once considered the ultimate, electric cars are now on the rise, and German manufacturers are fighting to keep up. May's lecture will certainly offer many exciting insights into the cultural differences and personal experiences that he gained during his stay in China.