Bangor Business School Student Visit to China

On the Bund in Shanghai after travelling since 6am the previous morning. The sunny weather was enough to get everyone smiling at the incredible views behind us all. On the Bund in Shanghai after travelling since 6am the previous morning. The sunny weather was enough to get everyone smiling at the incredible views behind us all. In April 2011, 16 Bangor Business School students took part in the Business School’s first ever student visit to China, led by Professor John Goddard, Deputy Head of School; Sarah Wale, School Manager; Yizheng Wang, International Liaison and Support Officer; and Peter Westmoreland, Student Liaison and Research Assistant. The trip was supported by Edulink, Programme Administrator for several of Bangor University’s successful partnerships with Chinese universities.


The 10-day trip gave the students, many of whom participate in the School’s Chinese Business and Language module, the opportunity to experience at first hand everyday life in three major Chinese cities: Shanghai, Nanjing and Beijing. Involving a combination of educational and sightseeing activities, the visit began in Shanghai with introductory sessions on Chinese culture and society, a visit to the Shanghai World Financial Centre, a tour of the Yuyuan Gardens and the Bund, a night-time boat trip on the Huangpu River, and a visit to A group of students walking through the streets of Shanghai admiring the traditional Chinese architecture before going to the Yu Yuan Garden.A group of students walking through the streets of Shanghai admiring the traditional Chinese architecture before going to the Yu Yuan Garden.Shanghai Science and Technology Museum. In Nanjing, students visited Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum and the City Wall, and received a warm welcome from Bangor’s Chinese partner Hohai University, where they participated in educational sessions including Chinese calligraphy and Tai Chi. The visit concluded with visits to several of Beijing’s major landmarks, including Tian’anmen Square, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, the Great Wall of China, and the ‘Bird’s Nest’ Olympic Stadium.

“The trip offered students a great opportunity to immerse themselves in Chinese culture, and to expand the knowledge they have gained on the Chinese Business and Language module,” said John Goddard. “China is now a major player in the world economy, and I’m sure many of our students will travel to China regularly in their future careers in business and finance. Several of the students who participated on the trip have since enquired about the possibility of an extended period of study in China, either as part of their undergraduate studies or at postgraduate level.”

Third year student David Huxley-Jones being shown some basic moves for Wushu before being told to punch the friendly instructor so he could demonstrate the importance of breathing. Third year student David Huxley-Jones being shown some basic moves for Wushu before being told to punch the friendly instructor so he could demonstrate the importance of breathing. Luke Edwards, a first Year BA Business Studies and Marketing student described the experience as:  “A trip of a lifetime! China may not be the first place that comes to mind as a trip destination, and I had my doubts about going at first, but I am so glad I went in the end! To do so many amazing things in a small period of time was fantastic, and to interact with other students and staff and make new friends made the trip even better. This really was a life changing trip. Thank you Bangor University.”

Daniel Patman a second Year BA Business Studies student said:
 “The China trip was an opportunity of a lifetime, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Bangor Business School did a fantastic job in putting everything together and I'm very grateful.”


Robert Pritchard a first Year BA Marketing commented:
 “I would just like to say how much I enjoyed myself on the China trip. Thank you for an amazing trip.”

Publication date: 19 May 2011