Heidi is a Leeds Beckett University graduate who's just completed her undergraduate degree in BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science. Here, she shares her experience of taking part in a two-week summer school in Guiyang, Guizhou province, China.

Taking the leap

From hearing about the opportunity in first year, I knew I wanted to take part. As a lover of travelling, paired with my passion for science and healthcare, there couldn't have been a more ideal scenario. The opportunity to explore a different healthcare system, immerse myself in another culture, and learn a new perspective on medicine made applying easy.

Exploring China

After surviving the 13-hour journey to Guiyang, the jet lag and realisation that I was somewhere I never imagined I could've visited started to set in. From the mountains to skyscrapers, Guiyang has it all. It's the most intriguing mix of traditional and modern architecture with natural landscapes intertwining, making it feel like a different world to the UK.

We ventured into the world of ancient Miao medicine, visiting a museum and taking part in lectures and workshops to teach us the basic theories and the development of herbal medicine. It was fascinating to discover how different the approach was compared to what I've previously learnt. The use of herbs, minerals, and even some animals had been used for centuries and is still being used today.

Practices like acupuncture, cupping, moxibustion, and manipulation were introduced to us, even being given the opportunity to experience it for ourselves with the help of lecturers, students, and doctors at the Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The visit to the TCM hospital only opened our minds further, showing us the processing of the herbal medicine and giving us hands on experience of how various diseases are treated.

The university helped us gain in-depth knowledge of the culture of ancient China through lectures on ancient book restoration and Chinese calligraphy, alongside workshops of traditional ink printing, fan painting, making medicinal herb specimens, tai chi, and batik craftsmanship.

Our excursions were my highlight of the trip. We got to see the breath-taking scenery of Huangguoshu waterfalls, the intricate traditional architecture and history of Jiaxiu Tower, the sheer scale of Zhijin cave, an ecological tea plantation, inspiring cultural shows, the scenic Wujiangzhai Ancient Town, and the shopaholics dream – Qingyun road. I even managed to live out my childhood dream of seeing pandas on our free day.

While it's hard to pick a favourite, the excursion to the tea plantation was one of them. The trip combined magnificent views in the mountains, the fun hands-on experience of tea picking, a lecture on traditional Chinese tea culture, a tea tasting activity, and a barbecue.

Not only did our excursions mean we'd have great stories to tell back home and photos to look back on, but it brought us together. Friendships formed that, without the summer school, wouldn't have been explored between both Leeds Beckett and our guide volunteers. Overcoming language barriers was certainly difficult at points, but Chinese people we encountered were so welcoming and polite. They even taught us some mandarin – or tried to, anyway.

Lessons I'll carry forward

Living in an ever-advancing world which relies so heavily on technology, learning about ancient traditional medicine was refreshing. Witnessing how these practices have been passed through generations to continue to be used today is like nothing we're used to, which is what made it so intriguing to me.

Admittedly, as someone quite set in their ways of thinking, I was sceptical of how open I would be to accepting TCM and the accuracy of how it works. This trip taught me to be open to new possibilities, and that while western medicine is one way of doing things, there are many types of medicine that could be considered.

As biomedical science students, we are trained to investigate disease at a molecular and cellular level, focusing on diagnosis and scientific evidence. Experiencing TCM encouraged me to think differently – not by replacing that scientific perspective, but by recognising the value of understanding patients as individuals alongside the condition. It reminded me that healthcare is shaped not only by science but also by culture, history, and the experiences of patients.

Academically, I've gained so much scientific knowledge, greater appreciation for global healthcare, and better understanding of TCM, but personally and professionally I grew much more than I could’ve anticipated. I gained confidence, independence and comfort to do things alone that I was so anxious about in the UK.

Being able to adapt to a different culture and environment, as well as gaining more varied communication skills and cultural awareness are also things I'm proud of taking away from this trip.

As I prepare to begin my MSc in oncology research, this experience has reinforced my passion for biomedical science and broadened my understanding of how healthcare and research are approached around the world. It's inspired me to remain open to international collaboration and different scientific perspectives throughout my future career.

I came home with far more than passport stamps, photos, and souvenirs. I returned with new friendships, greater confidence, a broader perspective on healthcare, and memories that I'll forever cherish. If you're thinking about applying for a Leeds Beckett summer school, my advice is simple – grab the opportunity with both hands.