When you think of studying abroad, you might imagine it's like those novels—flashing lights and wild parties every night—
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Source: Jinjiang Literature
Or maybe you've seen it on platforms like Bilibili or Xiaohongshu: you're either dressed to the nines, snapping OOTD shots for the perfect school day, or checking out trendy cafes for an exquisite afternoon tea...
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Source: Xiaohongshu
But if you look at studying abroad through the lens of an ordinary international student, the survival difficulty is no less than the journey to the West—comparable to being the study-abroad version of Tang Sanzang.
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Not to mention the application process itself is already a gauntlet of trials, but that's only the prelude. The real battle begins the moment your plane touches down...
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For example, one student, frustrated by a leaking dishwasher that was never repaired, bought 80,000 water beads and staged a heroic epic of "Leading 80,000 Water Armies to Control the Flood."
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Source: Xiaohongshu
Before studying abroad: a sheltered princess who never lifts a finger;
After studying abroad: reborn in America, I become Yu the Great!
And then there are those who, unable to bear the high cost of living, took up part-time jobs and unexpectedly discovered a whole new world.
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Source: Xiaohongshu
Before studying abroad: I ordered takeout without looking at the price;
After studying abroad: Reborn and now I deliver food in Sydney.
Facing sky-high taxi fares, international students have their own coping strategies. Those few kilometers? No problem at all!
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Source: Xiaohongshu
Before studying abroad: I won't walk a single step, not one;
After studying abroad: It's only five kilometers, I'll just walk!
Procrastinators can also give studying abroad a try, because for this condition, studying abroad can lead to medical miracles.
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Before studying abroad: the master of delay;
After studying abroad: the king of meeting deadlines! DDL warrior!
But all joking aside, picking up some quirky new skills while out in the world is still a kind of gain. Going through an identity shift is also a novel experience.
Today, let's take stock of the "achievements" international students have unlocked abroad! I won't say who's looking in the mirror here~
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From Master of Dark Cuisine to Culinary Prodigy
Before studying abroad, you might have thought you'd finally get to eat burgers, fries, and Western food every day—wouldn't that be amazing?
In reality, the moment you step abroad, your bloodline awakens, and when faced with plain Western food, your Chinese stomach can only say:
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So without a doubt, the most fundamental and powerful skill for studying abroad—the undisputed TOP1—is cooking!
When you show off your culinary skills in a foreign land, you'll quickly become well-known and achieve supreme status in your circle of friends.
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Source: Weibo
But some may think——
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As long as you have money, you don't need to worry about getting delicious food!
I can only say, in this regard, it's basically a level playing field. Even celebrities nicknamed "208" like Ouyang Nana and Wang Yuan, when they went to study abroad, had to learn to cook for themselves.
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Source: Social media
Zhao Xiaotong, who showed incredible cooking talent on the show "Becoming a Farmer," actually honed his skills because before he went abroad to study, his mother worried he wouldn't be able to feed himself and sent him to train in a hotel kitchen.
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Source: Weibo
You have to admit, today's parents are really forward-thinking.
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Source: Weibo
And other students who didn't prepare in advance aren't willing to be left behind—the learning process is also a journey of culinary advancement.
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Source: Xiaohongshu
What's more, some students discovered their true calling in the process.
For instance, "Magical Mimi," after finishing her junior year at NYU, took a gap of eight months to attend culinary school, resonating with many international students and now she's a somewhat famous self-media blogger.
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Source: Xiaohongshu
If taking a leave of absence isn't extreme enough, maybe you can go all in and apply directly for a chef's graduate degree?
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Source: Xiaohongshu
From ruler of the dark kitchen to a culinary master, maybe all it takes is studying abroad! Could this be a case of "Send out an international student, get back a chef"?
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From "Can't Stand It at All" to "Ninden"
It's said that medical care overseas is expensive, but why didn't anyone tell me it's this expensive! Especially ambulances—if anyone dares call an ambulance for me, I'll show them what a medical miracle is!
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Source: Weibo
What's worse is that not only is it pricey, but the treatment methods are also—
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For example, if you see a doctor for back pain, the first thing they ask is whether you've written a will... Are they thinking of harvesting my kidney?
Or, for foot pain, the prescription is two insoles...
A duodenal ulcer gets diagnosed as growing pains.
And there's the learn-as-you-go consultation: fully transparent diagnosis with the doctor Googling on the spot~
Plus a whole series of very "helpful" targeted treatments.
The level of absurdity will truly refresh your worldview. To cope, Chinese international students have their own strategy—endure.
All problems, endured until returning home.
Or if you can't endure, then go home immediately.
This is when you have to mention those overbearing CEO novels—the CEO who studied abroad either has a personal doctor or a best friend who's a doctor. Turns out that setting is surprisingly logical!
But for us mere mortals, we have to be "ninden" (ninja of endurance) for now and make sure to get a full check-up when we're back home!
From Butterfingers to "Edison"
It's said that international students start with four walls and equipment that's all scavenged or—DIY.
If you've never been an international student, you have no idea how capable your hands are. You'll become China's Edison, a foreign Lu Ban, the Nüwa of the junk world, and the Lei Feng of sewing...
On the journey to becoming a master chef, you'll inevitably need all sorts of kitchen tools. This is where your inner Edison begins to show.
Various homemade steamer racks are just entry-level skills for these students.
Beyond that, a pot lid doesn't seem to be an absolute necessity for cooking anymore.
Furniture is also a breeze. For instance, when you need a bedside table:
Not to mention little things like drying racks and tissue holders—international students' creativity far exceeds your imagination!
You have to admit, at this point, who can tell the difference between an international student and Edison!
In addition, because nail salons abroad are both ugly (due to different beauty standards) and expensive, some teach themselves to become nail artists; because repair labor is too costly, they watch videos and self-teach to become handyman masters; not to mention, after a long time abroad, they can even self-diagnose minor ailments and prescribe their own medicine...
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Though we jokingly call it a rebirth, going alone to a foreign country has a survival difficulty no less than being reborn.
It means you'll face a new environment, a new culture, and everything new on your own.
Just like at the beginning of *Friends*, when Rachel escapes her wedding and starts a new life, Monica says to her: "Welcome to the real world. It sucks. You're gonna love it."
For more admissions cases and questions related to study abroad or graduate applications, you can also add the contact information of a CheersYou（清柚教育） advisor below for details.
