This summer, I travelled to China to take part in the Electronic and Information Engineering course at Xi’an Jiaotong University’s Industry-Education Integrated Summer Camp. It was two weeks filled with fascinating lectures, visiting their newly built iHarbour campus and state-of-the-art labs, and cultural adventures that I’ll never forget. Between learning about control systems, microelectronics, and cellular network technologies, exploring historic sites like the Terracotta Army, and meeting people from all over the world, I came away with a whole new appreciation for how engineering and culture connect.
When I first heard about the summer school in China, I didn’t even have to think twice - I knew I wanted to go. I’ve always loved travelling, and the idea of exploring a completely different country while learning about their approach to technology sounded perfect. The course in Electronic and Information Engineering aligned really well with my degree in Robotics Engineering, covering topics like control systems, microelectronics, and communication technologies. More than anything, I was just excited, not nervous, to step out on my first solo trip, meet new people, and see how engineering is taught and applied on the other side of the world.
The moment I arrived in Xi’an, I could tell it was going to be an experience unlike anything I’d done before. Looking out from the taxi window, I saw centuries-old pagodas and city walls standing beside skyscrapers, a mix of old and new that immediately caught my attention. At night, the city is completely transformed - glowing with neon lights, bustling street markets, and a constant buzz of people out late enjoying themselves. It felt alive in a way that made me instantly excited to explore more.
When I arrived at Xi’an Jiaotong University, I was amazed by how lively the campus felt. It was huge, full of students cycling between buildings, chatting under trees, and relaxing in open courtyards even late at night. On our first day, the university hosted an opening ceremony to welcome everyone, and it was far more impressive than I expected. They brought in a traditional performer to perform Peking Opera, dressed in a beautifully detailed costume and headpiece, who performed a piece called Perfect Harmony. The performance was incredible - the expressions, movements, and music all came together perfectly, even for those of us who didn’t understand the language. It was such a memorable introduction to Chinese culture and an amazing way to kick off the programme.
Our Electronic and Information Engineering course was amazing; it covered topics ranging from control science to communication technologies. The professors explained how these systems have evolved over time and what’s being done to improve them today. Even though the sessions were mostly theory-based, they offered a clear picture of how rapidly technology is advancing and gave me plenty to reflect on as a Robotics Engineering student. What made the experience even better was studying alongside people from all over the world. Everyone brought different ideas and perspectives, and our discussions often went beyond lectures - from how different countries approach innovation to the challenges faced in applying new technologies. It was inspiring to see how easily we connected despite our different backgrounds, and it made me appreciate just how global engineering really is.
During the programme, we also visited Xi’an Jiaotong University’s iHarbour Campus, a modern research hub that focuses on innovation and industry collaboration. It was easily one of the most impressive parts of the trip. This campus is mainly designed for the postgraduate students to carry out their research with state-of-the-art research facilities. The iHarbour Campus itself was stunning - futuristic, modern, spacious, and surrounded by greenery.
We also had the chance to tour some of the facilities inside, and that’s where things got really interesting. One of the highlights was seeing the anechoic chambers - rooms designed to block out all external signals and reflections, creating a completely interference-free environment for testing antennas, radar systems, and other electromagnetic equipment. Stepping inside one of them was a strange experience; it was completely silent and felt cut off from the outside world. Seeing how precisely everything was built really showed how much attention to detail goes into developing reliable communication technology.
After a week packed with lectures and lab visits, it was finally time to switch gears and explore a bit - enough of the university buildings, now it was time for some fun. A 2-day activity trip was organised by the university itself. We started by visiting the ancient city wall, which gave a great view of the city and its mix of old and new architecture. We even rented bikes and rode along the top of the wall - a fun but slightly tiring way to take in the views and the size of the city. One of the highlights of the day was getting the chance to try on traditional Chinese attire. I somehow ended up picking a high-ranking official’s outfit, which looked surprisingly cool. They even offered swords as props, which made the whole thing feel straight out of a historical film. After that, we visited the Wild Goose Pagoda, a peaceful and beautifully designed site that felt like a step back in time compared to the busy streets outside.
The next day was just as memorable. We began with a museum visit, where we got to see some incredible artefacts and learn more about Xi’an’s deep historical roots. Later, we visited the Terracotta Army, and seeing the thousands of life-sized soldiers up close was something I’ll never forget - it’s hard to grasp the scale of it until you’re actually standing there. We finished the day by watching the Song of Everlasting Sorrow, an outdoor performance held at Huaqing Palace that combined music, dance, and stunning light projections. It was breathtaking from start to finish and easily one of the best shows I’ve ever seen.
Over the weekend, I took a solo trip to Mount Huashan, one of China’s most famous and challenging peaks. Getting there was an experience in itself. I took a bullet train that reached 328 km/h, which was incredibly smooth and efficient.
The climb was no joke - endless stairs, narrow trails, and constant surprises around every corner. At about 2,085 metres, I even did the cliffside plank walk, a narrow wooden path hanging off the edge of the mountain. It was equal parts terrifying and thrilling, but the view was unbelievable. On the way up, I ran into a few people from my course, and we ended up finishing the hike together. Reaching the top felt incredible, the perfect mix of adrenaline, exhaustion, and awe. And along the way, we came across so many cats just wandering around the mountain. I started calling them the mountain deities - cute little guardians keeping an eye on the climbers.
After the weekend trip, we headed back to university for the final week of the programme. The highlight of that week was visiting three major companies - Geely, a leading car manufacturer; LONGi, one of the world’s top renewable energy companies; and a drone technology company. At Geely, we got a full tour of their production facilities and saw how robotics, automation, and precision engineering come together to build modern vehicles. At LONGi, we learned about solar panel manufacturing and the company’s push towards more sustainable energy solutions. The drone company visit was one of my personal favourites - we got to see how drones are designed and tested, and I even had the chance to fly one, along with an RC plane. It was the perfect mix of fun and learning, and seeing how all these industries apply engineering in such different ways gave me a broader perspective on the impact of technology.
To mark the end of the programme, Xi’an Jiaotong University organised a closing ceremony, which brought everyone together one last time. It was a really wholesome way to wrap up the experience. There were a few speeches, performances, and moments to reflect on everything we’d done over the past two weeks.
Each group was invited on stage to receive their certificates of completion, and it felt great to be recognised after such an eventful and inspiring stay. We spent the rest of the ceremony taking photos, exchanging contact details, and saying goodbye to friends we’d made from all around the world. It was bittersweet - a mix of excitement to go home and sadness that such an incredible experience had come to an end.
The summer school may have ended there, but my trip didn’t. After saying goodbye to everyone in Xi’an, I decided to make the most of my time in China and travel a bit more. My next stop was Zhangjiajie, which quickly became one of my favourite places in China. I visited the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, home to the world-famous Avatar Mountains, where massive sandstone pillars rise through the clouds.
It honestly felt like walking through another world. It's also home to the world's largest outdoor elevator called Bailong Elevator, which stands 326 meters tall. I then took the cable car up Tianmen Mountain, which holds the record for the world’s longest cable car, and explored its breathtaking peaks and cliffside walkways. I also visited the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, where the glass-bottom bridge stretches 430 metres across the canyon, 300 metres above the ground, both terrifying and beautiful at the same time. If it’s not already obvious, I love nature, and Zhangjiajie was a dream for that - full of peaceful trails, misty views, and moments that made me stop just to take it all in.
Next, I travelled to Beijing, a city that perfectly balances ancient history with modern life. I spent my days visiting landmarks like the Summer Palace, Jingshan Park, Beihai Park, the Temple of Heaven, and the traditional hutongs, where narrow alleys lead to hidden cafés and small shops. Each place had its own charm - The parks were calm and full of life, while the hutongs gave a glimpse into old Beijing culture that still thrives today. I also visited the Huanghuacheng Great Wall, often called the Water Great Wall because parts of it are submerged in a reservoir. Walking along the wall and seeing the stone towers reflected in the water was surreal - peaceful, scenic, and far removed from the crowds at the more famous sections. The city had this constant buzz of activity, and I loved getting lost in it, discovering something new at every turn.
Unfortunately, it was time to head back. But even as I left China, I realised the trip had changed me in ways that would stay far beyond the journey home. Looking back, this summer school became one of the most meaningful experiences of my time at university. From studying at Xi’an Jiaotong University to travelling across different cities, every day taught me something new. I met people from all over the world, and the kindness of the locals made the whole journey feel welcoming, even when the language barrier made things interesting. Whether it was someone helping with directions, recommending food or simply starting a conversation, those small moments made a big difference.
I am also incredibly grateful to the Gold Scholarship Programme, as the GSPO fund made this entire experience possible. Having that support allowed me to take part in the summer school, explore a new country and learn in a way that goes far beyond the classroom.
Personally, the trip helped me grow more independent and confident. It was my first time travelling solo, and navigating new places, meeting new people and stepping outside my comfort zone taught me a lot about myself. Academically, seeing how engineering and innovation are applied in real settings broadened my perspective and helped me connect what I am learning at Bath to real-world applications.
It is an experience I will always be grateful for. I returned home with new friends, new ideas and a much wider outlook on the world, and I know the lessons from this trip will stay with me throughout the rest of my degree and beyond.
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