Nona Arabzadehjamali

From Bournemouth to Guangzhou: How the Turing Scheme Expanded My Global Perspective

By Nona Arabzadehjamali, MSc Marketing Management Student, Bournemouth University

If someone had told me a few years ago that I would be studying marketing in the UK and then travelling to China through an international mobility programme, I probably would not have believed them. Yet today, I can proudly say that this incredible journey has become one of the most valuable experiences of both my academic and personal life.

My name is Nona Arabzadehjamali, and I am originally from Iran. I am currently studying for an MSc in Marketing Management at Bournemouth University.

Choosing Bournemouth University was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Before applying, I spent a long time researching universities in the UK, particularly those recognised for excellence in business and marketing education. Bournemouth University immediately stood out because of the excellent reputation of its Business School. Another important reason behind my decision was its prestigious AACSB accreditation, an international recognition achieved by fewer than six percent of business schools worldwide. Knowing that I would be studying in such a highly respected academic environment gave me confidence that I was investing in my future.

Since beginning my master’s degree, I have continuously developed my understanding of modern marketing, consumer behaviour, digital technologies and strategic thinking. However, nothing compares to seeing these concepts applied in a completely different country and culture.

That opportunity arrived through the Turing Scheme.

An Opportunity I Will Never Forget

Receiving the email confirming that I had been selected for the Turing Scheme was one of the happiest moments of my university experience.

The programme is highly competitive, so being chosen made me incredibly proud. More importantly, I realised that this was much more than a funded international trip. It was an opportunity to challenge myself, experience another education system, meet people from different cultural backgrounds and discover how innovation and marketing are shaping one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.

Although I had travelled internationally before, I had never visited China or any other country in East Asia.

For many years, East Asia had fascinated me. I was curious about its culture, technology, business environment and rapid economic development. I had read about China’s leadership in artificial intelligence, digital commerce and technological innovation, but reading about these developments is completely different from experiencing them in person.

I am genuinely grateful to Bournemouth University and the Turing Scheme for creating an opportunity that allowed me to experience all of this first-hand.

Preparing for China

Like many students travelling to China for the first time, I had a few concerns before departure.

My biggest worries were the language barrier and internet access. I knew that many of the applications I normally used in the UK would not work in China, and I wondered how I would communicate with local people if they did not speak English.

Fortunately, we received excellent guidance before travelling. Dr Danni Liang, who accompanied our group throughout the programme, provided us with practical advice that made our transition much smoother. Before leaving the UK, we learned which applications would be useful in China and how to prepare our phones before arrival.

Following this advice, I set up WeChat for payments, installed a reliable VPN, downloaded offline city maps and several translation applications. I also spent time researching Guangzhou so that I could better understand the city before arriving.

Looking back, this preparation made a huge difference. Instead of feeling overwhelmed during my first few days, I was able to enjoy every moment and focus on learning and exploring.

My First Impression of Guangzhou

The moment I arrived in Guangzhou, I realised how different it was from what I had imagined.

The first thing I noticed was the weather. The city was warm, humid and full of greenery. Everywhere I looked there were beautiful trees, gardens and parks, creating an environment that felt vibrant and alive.

What impressed me even more was how welcoming everyone was.

Although many local people did not speak English fluently, they genuinely tried to communicate with us. Many people even used translation applications on their phones so that we could understand each other. Their kindness and willingness to help immediately made me feel comfortable in a completely unfamiliar environment.

Another pleasant surprise was the city’s infrastructure.

Despite Guangzhou being a huge city with millions of residents, everything felt incredibly organised. Public transport was efficient, the streets were clean and, unlike many large cities around the world, I was surprised by the absence of severe traffic congestion and noticeable air pollution.

It quickly became clear why Guangzhou is recognised as one of China’s leading modern cities.

A Comfortable Home Away from Home

During our stay, our group of 14 Bournemouth University students stayed at the Expert Hotel, located directly opposite one of the entrances to Guangzhou College of Commerce.

The location could not have been more convenient. Every morning, we only needed a short walk to reach the university, allowing us to fully enjoy each day’s activities without worrying about long commutes.

The hotel itself exceeded my expectations. It was exceptionally clean, comfortable and well organised. In my opinion, it offered the same quality and comfort that I would expect from a good four-star hotel.

Having such comfortable accommodation made settling into life in Guangzhou much easier and allowed us to focus entirely on learning, exploring and making the most of every opportunity.

Discovering Guangzhou College of Commerce

One of the highlights of the programme was discovering Guangzhou College of Commerce itself.

The first campus tour immediately showed us how impressive the university is. I was amazed by the size of the campus and the range of facilities available to students. Everything students needed was located within the university, from modern teaching buildings and sports facilities to creative learning spaces and comfortable social areas.

It was clear that the university places a strong emphasis on creating an environment where students can develop both academically and personally.

As someone studying marketing, I found it particularly interesting to compare the learning environment in China with my experience at Bournemouth University. Although the two universities are located in different countries with different cultures, I was surprised by how many similarities existed. Both institutions focus on innovation, practical learning and preparing students for today’s rapidly changing business world.

This experience reminded me that education has become increasingly global. Students around the world are learning similar concepts, developing similar skills and preparing for the same international job market.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

One of the things I appreciated most about the programme was its excellent balance between academic learning and cultural experiences.

Every day offered something different.

Instead of spending the entire day sitting in lectures, we experienced a combination of classroom teaching, practical workshops, company visits and cultural activities. This variety kept every day exciting and made learning much more enjoyable.

There was never a moment when the programme felt repetitive or boring. Every session introduced us to new ideas, new people or new experiences.

Exploring Science and Innovation

One of my favourite visits was the Science & Innovation Zone.

Walking through the innovation centre gave me a better understanding of how seriously China invests in technology and future industries.

It was inspiring to see research, innovation and entrepreneurship brought together in one place. Seeing these developments in person made me realise how quickly technology is changing businesses around the world and how important innovation has become in every industry.

As a marketing student, I found it exciting because technological innovation is no longer separate from marketing. It is shaping the way businesses communicate with customers, understand consumer behaviour and create personalised experiences.

Seeing this environment in person made many of the theories I had studied at Bournemouth University feel much more real.

AI Marketing: Seeing the Future of Marketing

Without any doubt, my favourite academic session was AI Marketing.

Since I am studying Marketing Management, this class was especially relevant to my degree.

Artificial intelligence has become one of the biggest topics in modern marketing, but what impressed me most was discovering just how many AI tools already exist. Before this trip, I was familiar with several popular AI platforms, but during the programme I realised that there are countless specialised tools designed for different industries and business functions.

Some tools focus on customer service, while others help businesses analyse consumer data, generate creative content, improve productivity or personalise customer experiences.

This opened my eyes to how rapidly AI is developing and how important it will become for future marketers.

The session also reinforced something I have learned throughout my master’s degree at Bournemouth University: successful marketing is no longer only about creativity. It also requires understanding technology and using it effectively.

Discovering Live-Stream Marketing

Another topic that fascinated me was live-stream e-commerce.

Although I had previously heard about live shopping, I had never fully understood how significant it is in China until I saw examples during the programme.

It was incredible to learn how businesses sell products through live broadcasts while interacting directly with thousands of customers in real time.

The speed, confidence and professionalism of the presenters amazed me. Within minutes they were introducing products, answering customer questions and generating large numbers of sales.

As someone studying marketing, I found this especially inspiring because it demonstrated how quickly digital marketing continues to evolve.

It also reminded me that consumer behaviour is not the same everywhere. Different countries develop different shopping habits, and understanding these differences is becoming increasingly important for marketers working in global markets.

Creative Design and Chinese Calligraphy

One of the most enjoyable cultural experiences was taking part in the Creative Design and Chinese Calligraphy workshops.

These sessions allowed us to experience Chinese creativity from both modern and traditional perspectives.

Using digital design software introduced us to contemporary creative practices, while learning traditional Chinese calligraphy gave us an appreciation of the country’s rich cultural heritage.

Although Chinese writing is very different from Persian and English, trying to write Chinese characters helped me understand the patience, precision and artistic skill behind this ancient tradition.

It was a memorable experience that connected history, culture and creativity in a unique way.

A Place Where History Meets Modern Life

Another unforgettable experience was visiting Yongqing Fang.

This was one of my favourite places throughout the entire trip.

Walking through Yongqing Fang felt like travelling between the past and the present at the same time.

Traditional Cantonese architecture sits alongside modern cafés, creative shops and cultural spaces, creating an atmosphere that is both historic and contemporary.

I loved seeing how China has preserved its cultural heritage while also embracing modern development.

For me, Yongqing Fang perfectly represented one of the biggest lessons from this journey: that progress does not require leaving tradition behind. Instead, the two can exist together and strengthen one another.

Experiencing Chinese Culture

One of the most enjoyable parts of the programme was experiencing Chinese culture beyond the classroom.

Before travelling to China, I had heard many different opinions about Chinese food, but I wanted to try everything with an open mind.

To my surprise, I loved almost every meal I had during my stay.

My favourite food was definitely dumplings. They quickly became one of the highlights of the trip, and I looked forward to trying different varieties whenever I had the opportunity.

There were only two exceptions. One chicken dish was slightly undercooked for my personal preference, and as a Muslim, I do not eat pork. Apart from that, I genuinely enjoyed the variety of Chinese cuisine and appreciated the opportunity to experience authentic local food.

Food is such an important part of understanding another culture, and sharing meals with classmates made the experience even more memorable.

Meeting Incredible People

One of the things I will remember most about China is the kindness of its people.

Although many local people did not speak English fluently, they always tried their best to communicate with us. Whether they used translation apps, gestures or simple words, they were always patient, welcoming and willing to help.

During the programme, I also had the opportunity to make friends with Chinese students.

Talking with them was one of the most valuable parts of my experience. We discussed the differences between life in China and the UK, our university experiences, our cultures and our future career goals.

These conversations reminded me that although we come from different countries and backgrounds, we share many of the same hopes, ambitions and challenges.

They also helped me understand China from the perspective of local students rather than simply as a visitor.

Exploring Guangzhou

Learning did not stop when classes finished.

Many evenings were spent exploring Guangzhou with my classmates.

One of our favourite places was Beijing Road, where we experienced the city’s energy, shopping streets, local restaurants and modern lifestyle.

Another unforgettable experience was taking a river cruise past Canton Tower.

Seeing Guangzhou’s skyline illuminated at night was breathtaking. Watching one of the city’s most famous landmarks from the river gave us a completely different perspective on this remarkable city.

These moments outside the classroom became just as valuable as our academic sessions because they allowed us to experience everyday life in Guangzhou and create memories that will last forever.

Overcoming Challenges

Every international experience comes with challenges, and mine was no exception.

For me, the biggest challenge was the weather.

Guangzhou’s summer is much hotter and more humid than what I was used to in the UK.

However, I quickly realised how well the city is designed to deal with the climate. Shopping centres, public transport and even pedestrian facilities were fully air-conditioned, making it much easier to adapt.

After the first few days, the weather became part of the experience rather than an obstacle.

Looking back, overcoming small challenges like this helped me become more adaptable and confident when travelling internationally.

How This Experience Changed Me

When I think about everything I experienced during this programme, I realise that the biggest change happened in my perspective.

Academically, the programme strengthened everything I have been learning during my MSc in Marketing Management.

One of the most reassuring discoveries was seeing that the knowledge and skills we develop at Bournemouth University are highly relevant on an international level. Visiting Guangzhou College of Commerce showed me that students around the world are studying similar concepts, exploring the latest technologies and preparing for the same rapidly evolving industries.

That made me feel connected to a truly global academic community.

Professionally, the experience has given me a much broader understanding of East Asia.

Before this programme, my knowledge of the region came mainly from books, articles and online resources. Now I have experienced the culture, education system and business environment first-hand.

This international perspective will undoubtedly benefit my future career.

Today, businesses operate across borders more than ever before. Marketing professionals need to understand consumers from different cultures, adapt to global markets and work with people from diverse backgrounds.

This experience has made me even more confident that I would like to build an international career.

We often describe today’s world as a global village, where technology and the internet connect people from every corner of the world. My time in China transformed that idea from something I had studied into something I truly experienced.

Advice for Future Turing Scheme Students

If I could give one piece of advice to future students, it would be this:

Make the most of every single day.

Every lecture, workshop, company visit, cultural activity and conversation offers an opportunity to learn something new.

Be curious.

Ask questions.

Try local food.

Speak to local students.

Explore the city.

Step outside your comfort zone.

The Turing Scheme is far more than an opportunity to travel abroad. It is an opportunity to grow academically, professionally and personally.

The more open you are to new experiences, the more rewarding the journey will become.

Final Reflections

Looking back, I can honestly say that participating in the Turing Scheme has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life.

It allowed me to discover a country I had always wanted to visit, learn from outstanding academics and industry experts, experience another educational system and build friendships with people from different cultures.

Most importantly, it reminded me that learning has no borders.

I am incredibly grateful to Bournemouth University, the Turing Scheme, Dr Danni Liang, and Guangzhou College of Commerce for making this unforgettable experience possible.

I returned to the UK not only with wonderful memories and photographs, but also with greater confidence, a broader global perspective and an even stronger motivation to pursue an international career in marketing.

This journey may have lasted only a short time, but its impact will stay with me for many years to come.