At the end of August 2023, I set off from Taiwan to spend a semester at Chongqing University's School of Journalism. This was a significant decision. When I decided to apply for the exchange in March, I was a first-year master's student in the Department of Mass Communication at Tamkang University in Taiwan. The timing wasn't ideal, as I was about to start preparing for my thesis proposal and subsequent writing. However, I applied without hesitation, knowing this was a rare opportunity. Having previously interned at Hunan TV, I understood that this exchange would broaden my horizons and help me advance in academic research or future work. As the exchange period comes to an end, I am even more certain that choosing to study at Chongqing University's School of Journalism was the right decision.
Studying at Chongqing University's School of Journalism is quite different from studying in Taiwan. Firstly, there is a difference in focus. Chongqing University emphasizes journalism and communication, so all research courses revolve around "journalism." In Taiwan, my major is mass communication, which covers not only journalism but also advertising, film and television, marketing, and culture. One approach is specialized and precise, while the other is broad and diverse, each with its own focus. Studying at Chongqing University has provided me with many insights into journalism research, which I rarely encountered or considered in Taiwan. Secondly, there are differences in research approaches. Recent papers on journalism from both sides of the Taiwan Strait show that Taiwanese journalism papers often focus on case studies, while in mainland China, besides case studies, there are many theoretical or conceptual studies, including the development of a uniquely Chinese Marxist view of journalism. Additionally, the abundance of research talent in mainland China allows for more detailed exploration of concepts, leading to the development of journalism research areas not encountered in Taiwan. When preparing class reports, I used CNKI to gather mainland literature and also searched for relevant literature on Taiwan's thesis database to share with mainland classmates and teachers. During this process, I discovered that many mainland studies mention Taiwan's research developments, which pleasantly surprised me. Seeing the names of Taiwanese communication research experts in mainland papers made me realize that cross-strait exchanges have always existed, waiting for me to discover them. Lastly, regarding classroom experiences, perhaps because we are graduate students, I felt no significant difference. The atmosphere is filled with questions, discussions, debates, and presentations, making classes in Chongqing feel familiar. Overall, the main goal of this exchange has been achieved: gaining firsthand understanding of mainland research trends and engaging in brainstorming and research discussions with classmates, providing me with more research inspiration. It has truly been an excellent exchange experience.
During my time at Chongqing University, campus life was very rich. The school and student clubs organized many activities. For example, the school's Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan office arranged a one-day tour of Chongqing for us upon arrival, taking us to visit famous landmarks and helping us better understand the city. The school also hosted many traditional cultural performances. My first experiences of live performances of Peking opera, skits, and storytelling were at Chongqing University, and they were very impressive. I envy the students there. Student clubs are also worth mentioning; everyone is full of enthusiasm. The student-led Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan association organized a Mid-Autumn Festival party and even gave us mooncakes. It was touching to be able to eat mooncakes in Chongqing, especially ones labeled with "Taiwanese flavor." I had to try them to see what the flavor was, and it turned out to be creamy custard, which I hadn't tasted in Taiwan, haha. Additionally, activities organized by the crosstalk club and music club were must-attend events. They were truly wonderful. The crosstalk performances made me laugh until my stomach hurt, and the singers at the music festival were so good that I felt like my ears were pregnant. This description might be exaggerated, but it was really great. Lastly, I often participated in competitions with Chongqing classmates, such as the "Tell China's Story Well" competition, where we discussed and filmed to share Chongqing's stories with everyone.
Life in Chongqing offered many experiences different from those in Taiwan. Firstly, my bag became lighter as I no longer needed to carry a wallet. Alipay and WeChat are incredibly convenient for payments, transportation, and mini-programs; life without them is unimaginable. Although Taiwan now has many mobile payment options, there are too many, and sometimes carrying cash is more convenient. Next is the food. In Chongqing, I feel that dishes that aren't spicy shouldn't appear here. In Taiwan, I found a Sichuan lady who made noodles with an acceptable level of spiciness, so I felt confident coming to Chongqing. However, I realized I underestimated Chongqing. I started with mild spiciness at restaurants, and recently I've been able to handle medium spiciness. I believe that after returning to Taiwan, eating spicy food will no longer be a problem for me. Lastly, let's talk about Chongqing, the magical 8D city. This mountain city is not only spatially magical, with confusing levels like 1st and 23rd floors, but it also blends cyberpunk technology with traditional architectural culture. You can see an ancient-style house among skyscrapers, or wait for nightfall in a historically rich temple to see it light up with modern brilliance. During City Walks, you can feel Chongqing people's passion and love for life, whether it's dancing in squares or playing mahjong and card games. I think I've fallen in love with Chongqing and look forward to meeting this mountain city again.
This exchange experience in Chongqing will undoubtedly leave a significant mark on my life. I believe the core purpose of exchange is "communication." This time, I communicated with mainland students and teachers, as well as with Sichuan and Chongqing culture and mainland lifestyles. It not only broadened my horizons but also brought me many surprises, things I didn't know or hadn't experienced. This is the meaning of exchange. These experiences will become nourishment for my thesis writing and will be an important foundation for future work and life experiences. I look forward to returning to mainland China in the near future, whether for study, work, or travel, to experience the cultural customs of different regions again.
