Studying Abroad in Chengdu, China: My First Impressions, Food, and Culture
Updated: Jul 24
Traveling to China is an experience I'll never forget. While I was in college, I had the opportunity to spend the summer living in Chengdu, China, through a study abroad program where I studied International Business and Coding.
Before arriving, I intentionally wanted to travel somewhere completely different from what I was used to. I wanted to experience a culture where I knew very little about the customs, daily life, or even the language. Looking back, I couldn't have picked a better place.
Living in Chengdu taught me so much more than I expected. While I certainly learned inside the classroom, I learned even more by exploring the city, trying new foods, navigating the language barrier, and adapting to a completely different way of life. If you're considering studying abroad in China or planning a trip to Chengdu, here's what my experience was really like.
My First Impressions of Chengdu
Landing in China was both exciting and intimidating.
I quickly realized that very few people around me spoke English. Even something as simple as ordering food became an adventure. Many restaurants didn't have English menus, so I often found myself pointing at menu items or watching what other people ordered before making my decision.
At first, that was overwhelming.
Eventually, though, it became part of the experience. I became more confident navigating everyday situations, even when communication was difficult. Eventually, those little moments stopped feeling intimidating and became part of the adventure.
One of the things I appreciated most was how different everything felt. Every day brought something new to discover, and it made me even more excited to experience life in Chengdu over the next several weeks.
Authentic Sichuan Food Was the Highlight
If I had to pick one thing that stood out the most, it would be the food.
Authentic Sichuan cuisine is famous around the world for its bold flavors, spicy peppers, and numbing Sichuan peppercorns. Before traveling to China, I had eaten Chinese food in America, but I quickly realized it was nothing like the food I found in Chengdu. Chengdu is considered one of China's culinary capitals and is even recognized as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. Whether you're eating at a small family-run restaurant or a busy Hot Pot spot, food is a huge part of the city's culture.
The meals were packed with fresh vegetables, flavorful sauces, and spices that I had never tasted before. It took a little while for my stomach to adjust because there was much more oil and spice than I was used to, but once I adapted, I absolutely loved it.
Hot Pot Quickly Became My Favorite Meal
Without question, my favorite food was Hot Pot.
Before traveling to China, I had never experienced Hot Pot. Sitting around a steaming pot of broth while everyone cooked their own meat, vegetables, noodles, and dumplings created an experience that was just as memorable as the food itself.
Even now, years later, I still look for Hot Pot restaurants whenever I can. While I've found a few good places back home, nothing compares to eating it in Chengdu.
Trying Foods Outside My Comfort Zone
Living in China definitely made me more adventurous when it came to food.
Of course, I tried dishes that I probably never would have ordered at home. Yes, I even tried chicken feet.
Some of my classmates were far more adventurous than I was, but I made an effort to try as many local foods as I could. Looking back, I'm glad I stepped outside my comfort zone because it became one of the most memorable parts of the trip.
There Were Familiar Restaurants Too
Although I wanted to experience authentic Chinese food, there were times when I craved something familiar.
I found an Irish pub that quickly became one of my favorite restaurants. Oddly enough, it wasn't because of traditional Irish food.
They served avocado french fries, which I came up with my own recipe on how to make them at home if you want to check it out.
It might sound strange, but they were incredible. I've tried recreating them at home several times, and I still haven't been able to make them taste quite the same. To this day, I think they can compete with regular french fries.
I also visited a Texas barbecue restaurant while I was there. It was interesting seeing how American cuisine was interpreted halfway around the world.
Breakfast Was Completely Different
Breakfast looked very different than what I was used to back home.
Most mornings, I ate rice mixed with scrambled eggs. At first it seemed unusual because I associated rice with lunch or dinner, but in China, rice was served throughout the day.
Noodles were just as common.
By the end of the summer, I had grown to enjoy these simple breakfasts. I actually ended up losing weight during my time abroad, despite eating plenty of delicious food.
Drinks Were One of the Biggest Culture Shocks
One of the biggest surprises for me had nothing to do with the food.
It was the drinks.
Ice Was Rare
I never realized how much ice I used in the United States until I couldn't easily find it in China.
Most water is boiled before being consumed, and because of that, many restaurants simply don't serve drinks with ice. It wasn't unusual for beverages to be served warm or hot.
At first, it felt strange. Eventually, I became accustomed to drinking beverages without ice and understood the reasoning behind it.
Hot Juice Was Unexpected
One thing that completely surprised me was receiving hot apple juice.
Many fruit juices were served warm because heating them showed they had been boiled and were safe to drink.
It wasn't something I had ever experienced before, but after living there for several weeks, it simply became normal.
Tea Everywhere
Tea was everywhere. Whether at restaurants or social gatherings, tea was a major part of everyday life. I wish I had brought more tea home because it was some of the best I've ever had.
Helpful Mandarin Words to Learn
If I could go back, I would spend much more time learning basic Mandarin before arriving.
Even knowing a handful of words would have made ordering food and interacting with locals much easier.
The words I learned included:
Thank you — 谢谢
Hello — 你好
Goodbye — 再见
Chicken — 鸡
Chicken meat — 鸡肉
If you're planning a trip to China, I'd also recommend learning words for water, rice, bathroom, and numbers before you arrive.
Tips for Visiting Chengdu, China for the First Time
If you're planning a trip or study abroad experience in Chengdu, here are a few things I'd recommend:
Keep an open mind and embrace cultural differences.
Learn a few basic Mandarin phrases before you arrive.
Be willing to point at menus if you don't know the language.
Try authentic Sichuan food at least once.
Don't be afraid to try something outside your comfort zone.
Expect drinks to be served without ice.
Pack any medications or comfort items you rely on from home.
Remember that adapting takes time, but it becomes easier every day.
Looking back, studying abroad in Chengdu gave me experiences that I never could have had by simply visiting for a few days. From navigating a language barrier to trying authentic Sichuan cuisine and adapting to cultural differences, every day taught me something new. While the food was undoubtedly one of my favorite parts of my time in China, it was only a small piece of the experience.
There was so much more to my summer in Chengdu than the incredible food. In Part 2, I share what it was like living in the city, my favorite excursions, and some of the unforgettable experiences that made my time in China so special. You can read Part 2 here!
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