Mary Pashai / University of Cambridge student:

"Right off the bat it feels like I've slept for 12 hours, like I've gotten a really good night's sleep in and I feel like I can lowkey run a marathon. There's a lot of energy in me right now, but that was really nice."

Jude David Lewis / University of Cambridge student:

"I feel sort of a profound sense of calm in a way that I haven't in quite a while. I feel very at peace at the moment. I really appreciate that feeling."

For two weeks, students from the UK are immersing themselves in life at Minxin Hong Kong School in Guangzhou Nansha through Elite Journey's summer exchange programme. The cohort includes students from Oxford and Cambridge, who serve as tutors for younger students while taking part in a range of cultural activities.  

Through language learning, shared daily life, and cultural experiences, the programme brings UK and Chinese students together—building friendships and offering international participants a genuine taste of Chinese culture.  

One highlight is the Seven-bowl Tea Ritual, a traditional ceremony that introduces students to the mindfulness and philosophy behind Chinese tea culture. Participants are invited to slow down, clear their minds, and engage all their senses—from the warmth of the bowl and the aroma of the tea to its flavour and the stories it carries.

Katarzyna Healey / University of Oxford student:

I feel like a lot of the time when we're doing anything we're trying to do it as quickly as possible. So, it was really nice just to take it slow and drink the tea really slowly, and really connect with our bodies. I found that quite often I had goosebumps so it was really, really nice to kind of take a moment. Thank you.

Husam Abdalla / University of Oxford student:

"I also really liked how it was a multi-sensory experience, so it wasn't just taste and drinking, but as well as the feeling of warmth through your hands, listening to it being poured while your eyes are closed, it kind of felt like a holistic experience."

These hands-on encounters allow students to experience Chinese traditions directly, rather than just learning about them. As the programme continues, more activities await—deepening cultural understanding and forging friendships that will last well beyond these two weeks.