There Really Are a Lot of Chinese Students in the UK! My Experience and Feelings Getting Along with Them

Good morning, afternoon and evening, everyone! Whether you're already studying in the UK or still in Taiwan, you've probably heard that there are a lot of Chinese students studying in the UK and US.

Today I want to share the Chinese students I've met during my half year studying in the UK and what it's been like getting along with them~ Let's start with numbers. At my school, probably over 40% of students are Asian! The vast majority of them are Chinese, and honestly I was pretty surprised that I still hear Chinese all the time even in the UK🥺

On the way to class I often see groups of Chinese students chatting in Chinese. Sometimes I want to join in, but I'm not sure how they'd react to my identity and accent. Meanwhile, as a Taiwanese person, I actually often go to and from class alone (maybe also because I live farther away, so it's hard to get close to people who live near campus!). Before I made my first group of friends, I was pretty lonely. The main reason I don't dare approach Chinese students is that politics really is a sensitive topic🥲 Some Chinese classmates are really warm. Even when they know I see myself as Taiwanese, they don't react much and just let it pass. But some really are more sensitive and insist that we're part of them. That's when I get scared. If it's just two or three people chatting, it doesn't matter, but if it's a whole group… I can't even imagine🥺 That's also why I don't dare start conversations with classmates who also speak Chinese: they can tell right away from my accent where I'm from

As for their attitude toward studying, not every one of them is a go-getter~ I've met really proactive students, the kind who raise their hands in class and push back on the professor; the kind who quietly get things done; and the kind who play all day and get carried through exams by others. Clearly, how a person approaches things isn't defined by their country.

Actually, I really want to try making friends with them. I wonder if I've been imagining too much, picturing them insisting that we have no sovereignty. So next semester I want to challenge myself to make friends with them and see what happens (jumping to conclusions is never great). Also, while job hunting I'm gradually realizing that it's hard for us to separate ourselves from the Chinese market. There are lots of opportunities to work together, and we often have to help develop the Chinese market. I have to say I didn't expect this part at first. Have you had experiences getting along with Chinese friends? Or how did it feel along the way, and how do you find a balance? Feel free to share with me!