Four weeks in China, one suitcase, and a head full of ideas: My time at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University in Taicang was one of the most intense experiences of my traineeship so far. Through a partnership program between DHBW Mosbach and XJTLU, I applied for the Technopreneurship Summer School, and with the support of TecAlliance, I spent four weeks in China in July. Together with more than 120 participants from around 40 countries, there was a truly international atmosphere from day one.
The program was structured into four phases. During the first week, we formed teams and developed our own project idea. In weeks two and three, we could choose between three different pathways. I chose “AI & Internet of Things.” The pathway covered topics such as the principles of flight and drone programming, including our own flight session, IoT sensors in the field of smart healthcare, and AI-powered IoT applications using a “Smart Library” as an example. We also visited the drone company Motian Technology, where we had the opportunity to fly industrial drones ourselves. In the fourth week, all teams returned to their original project ideas to further develop them using the knowledge we had gained and to prepare for the final Dream Chaser Competition. In the final pitch, our team achieved third place in the competition.
Outside the program, the campus also had a lot to offer, with modern, newly built sports facilities including basketball, football, and volleyball courts, as well as badminton and table tennis facilities. After a long day of classes, there was always an opportunity to stay active and meet new people. Experiencing China itself was just as exciting. Taicang is a relaxed university town, but after only about 20 minutes by train, you can find yourself right in the middle of bustling Shanghai, at the Bund or on Nanjing Road. One weekend, we visited the 600-year-old old town of Shaxi, and on another, we traveled to Hangzhou to see West Lake and the famous matcha fields in the surrounding area. I was especially fascinated by how almost everything in China is paid for cashlessly using QR codes. It really feels like a glimpse into the future. Combined with street food on every corner and evenings spent with people from all over the world, these four weeks made China a place I will not forget anytime soon.
