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From Indonesia to Shenzhen, a young man boldly set out into the world on his own, travelling a long distance and embarking on a personal journey toward independence. Bearing a name with his grandmother’s blessings, Christopher KANDIAWAN is now writing his own chapter in this diverse community of Shaw College at CUHK-Shenzhen. His story is a testament to growing up within cultural integration, reflecting the courage to settle down in unfamiliar surroundings.

Christopher KANDIAWAN,2024, Shaw College, SSE
2024–2025 Shaw International Student of the Year Award Winner

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First Arrival: A Journey of Excitement and Uncertainty

When asked about his first arrival in Shenzhen, Christopher (hereafter “Chris”) smiled and described the experience as both “exciting and uncertain.” The city’s modernity and vibrancy greeted him at once, bringing awe and curiosity. Yet compared to the dazzling cityscape, Chris was more anxious about adapting to a completely new university life alone in a foreign country. To his relief, the warm, inclusive atmosphere of Shaw College soon gave him a sense of belonging. “I thought I might not make many friends at first, but I ended up joining several student clubs. I really like the vibe here, and everyone is incredibly friendly.”

Settling Down: Finding Balance Between the Familiar and the Unknown

“Seeking familiarity is instinctive when you first arrive in a foreign place.” Reflecting on his adaptation process, Chris admitted that he initially gravitated toward people who shared his cultural background. “In a completely unfamiliar city, your first reaction is to look for friends from the same culture. The Indonesian Student Association felt like a ‘safe harbor,’ giving me familiar language and feeling in a foreign land.” But he soon realized that true integration needed to step outside his comfort zone. “Besides finding familiar environments, I wanted to find a second home here.” It was this desire that motivated him to join the Shaw College’s Resident Student Association, hoping to meet, share ideas, and make progress together with more Chinese friends.

In Chris’s life abroad, the dorm auntie has become his “second mother.” Once, when a cockroach suddenly appeared in his room, Chris and his roommate panicked and rushed to the front desk for help. The auntie came immediately and swiftly solved the little crisis. Her warmth also extends far beyond such moments — every day when Chris passes the front desk, he stops to chat with her. These simple greetings and small conversations give him a sense of being cared for by family.

Breaking Barriers: Opening a New World through Language

For young Chris, Chinese used to feel more like a school subject than an interest. But when he decided to study at CUHKSZ, he made up his mind to overcome this challenge. His progress soon became visible in every corner of daily life, from trying to translate street signs to chatting effortlessly with Didi drivers. Chinese was no longer just a subject but became a key that unlocked new environments and allowed Chris to truly integrate into the society. The moment when this “integration” truly elevated into a sense of “belonging” came during a UNO game at the Resident Student Association. When the team coordinator patiently translated each rule from Chinese into English, the language barrier around him quietly dissolved in kindness.

Gaining Through Giving: Discovering the Essence of Culture
“The shift from being a cultural receiver to a cultural spreader is fantastic,” Chris describes his experience volunteering at “International Day”. Before, Chris had mostly been a curious receiver, asking his Chinese roommates about everything, from macroeconomics to daily life, and sharing snacks with them. However, during the event, when he stood behind the booth introducing different cultures to Chinese students, something subtly changed. He saw that cultural understanding is not one-way, but a mutual dialogue.

This understanding of “mutual exchange” extended beyond the campus. While teaching English online to children through the Stepping Stones program, Chris noticed a revealing detail: “When I spoke in English, the children barely reacted, but as soon as I explained in Chinese, they instantly became engaged.” The scenario reminded him of his own early days in China when he could grasp only about half of the content in the Chinese class and often had to ask teachers for clarification after class. Experiencing a similar struggle gave him a deeper appreciation for teaching: “Just as I once needed patient guidance from my teachers, these children need me to communicate in a language they can understand.” From a learner who once stumbled in a Chinese-speaking environment to a volunteer who actively uses Chinese to build bridges, he completed his second status transformation.

Carrying this sense of resonance, Chris began engaging more proactively in bridging cultures. Later, he volunteered to serve as a Senior Fellow in the Shaw Global Bridge Program, consciously creating more opportunities for international and Chinese students to know each other.

Growing up: Home is where the Heart is

Looking back at the year of growth, the words Chris most wants to say to his newly arrived self are simple yet powerful: “Don’t worry, everything will be fine.” From being anxious about leaving his family to finding a sense of belonging in a foreign land, his journey stands as living proof of those words.

To newly arrived international students, Chris condenses his experience into just five words: To explore and to learn. The changes brought by studying abroad go far beyond knowledge and language. The deeper growth lies in how one connects with others. From having few friends back home to actively engaging in student clubs in Shenzhen and building friendships across cultures, Chris learned to embrace the unfamiliar world with greater openness and proactivity.

Winning the Shaw International Student of the Year Award became the most vivid testament to his year of growth. Whether through teamwork in the Shaw College’s Resident Student Association or experience-sharing in the Shaw Global Bridge Program, every attempt and every conversation quietly paved the road toward recognition.

From a nervous young man stepping alone into a foreign country to a Shaw College student who now effortlessly lives in a cross-cultural environment, in just one year, Chris has embodied the true meaning of “Home is where the heart is.” Today, carrying this calm and strength, he goes forward on his path of growth without fear and without regret.