The three C's for visiting Chengdu: Cuisine, Culture, and Compassion

It was a glorious morning. The sun was rising, and the birds were singing and cooing when suddenly, an email came through about a once-in-a-lifetime trip to a city called Chengdu in China.

I must confess, when I first applied for the trip, I had no expectations of being accepted. How lucky I was that it materialized. I’ve always lived life with no regrets, and this trip has turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

When I first arrived at Chengdu Tianfu Airport, with the rain beating down, I thought for a brief second that I was still in Scotland! Upon reaching the hotel, a few others and I had the chance to experience the local dish—none other than hot pot. The immediate warmth and hospitality we received were clear from the start.

During our first week at the Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, we learned about various aspects of Chengdu, including the local economy, trade ties, and my personal favourite: Taiji. We were also treated to a tea ceremony, traditional paper cutting, and an introduction to Chinese medicine. (My mother is now permanently drinking Chinese black tea!)

In our free time, we visited the panda centre—an incredible experience! We also attended the Sichuan opera, which was remarkable, to say the least. Additionally, I had the opportunity to visit the ancient city of Xi’an, where I was given a personal tour by a local friend, for which I’m incredibly grateful.

There is too much to say in too little space, but this experience was beyond incredible. Words can’t fully convey the memories and insights gained. I want to personally thank everyone who made this journey possible—especially Elaine, who made it happen, the student ambassadors, and most of all, my peers. Everyone contributed to making this the best trip imaginable.