Woman’s Experience as a South African Student in China: Comforts and Challenges

• A woman shares her journey as a South African student in China, offering an authentic look into the ups and downs of studying abroad in Suzhou and capturing the independence that comes with life in a foreign country
• Living in Suzhou offers Faith a level of convenience and safety. She enjoys the luxury of her own apartment and a lifestyle where food is easy to find
• While navigating the challenges of studying abroad, Faith stays connected to her roots through social media, despite missing holidays with loved ones

A South African student studying in China is showing her journey on social media, offering a personal look at her life in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province.

In her post on 25 August 2025, Faith shows her followers her one-bedroom apartment, a contrast to what many students back home might expect. Unlike in SA, most students were in living situations that often meant sharing cramped spaces.

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Faith enjoys the luxury of her own apartment. It has cramped spaces with a small kitchen, a bathroom with a toilet and a washing machine, which makes managing her day-to-day life that much easier.

Perks of living abroad

But it's not just about the comforts of her apartment. The lifestyle in Suzhou is a far cry from what most students might experience back home. Faith raves about the convenience of living in a city where prepared food is easily accessible, so she rarely cooks for herself. The safety of her neighbourhood allows her to walk home at night without a second thought.

For many students, this may seem like a dream come true. The convenience, safety and independence Faith enjoys can be a huge contrast to the challenges of a student life back home. Yet, these comforts come with a price. Being so far from home, Faith sacrifices holidays and family gatherings she would normally enjoy.

What you miss

Despite this, @faithzoe stays connected with her roots by keeping in touch via social media. Faith's story is more than just about adjusting to life in China; it's about finding the balance between the comforts of new life and the sacrifices that come with being far from home. Through her posts, she proves that with a little humour, a lot of heart and a strong sense of independence, you can thrive anywhere.

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ashantenonyana wrote:

"You not lazy too go down ne 😭😭😭❤️"

@L🎀 said:

"I heard things are more affordable than S.A."

Naledi asked:

"Did you say frog tastes like chicken? 😭😭😳"

P🎀🇰🇷 stated:

"I need Chinese friends to plug me 😭😭I wanna learn the accent."

Khumo Monnaemang asked:

"How did you apply?"

Potlako commented:

I love my room like that with no decorations inside😭just plain ❤

Ameerah 💌UGC wrote:

"Wet clothing doesn’t drip or you spin dry, that's such a space saver though 🥰👌"

NTSHUXEKO 🤍🥀 said:

"I'm gonna join you soon, and please be my roomie😭🥺❤️"

Watch the TikTok video below:

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Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.

Source: Briefly News