From Melbourne to Shenzhen: An Aussie's journey of discovery and growth

At 20, Jamie Alexander Mount’s life took a fascinating turn when he moved from the laid-back pace of Melbourne, Australia, to the fast-moving cityscape of Shenzhen. Currently studying Chinese at Shenzhen Polytechnic University (SZPU) in Nanshan District, Mount’s Shenzhen experience has been a journey of cultural discovery, personal growth, and unexpected appreciation.

Jamie Alexander Mount is interviewed by a Shenzhen Daily reporter Tuesday. Wei Jie

Mount’s path to Shenzhen wasn’t exactly planned. “I was originally looking to be an au pair, living with a family to experience a new country,” he recalled.

Through a Chinese agency, he was offered a cultural and language exchange program that would cover his university fees while he taught English to his host family’s children. The agency arranged his placement at SZPU, and just like that, Mount found himself immersed in a city unlike anything he had been familiar with before.

Shenzhen’s size was the first thing that struck him when he arrived in the city. “It’s huge compared to Australian cities.”

Beyond its scale and density, what really impressed Mount was the city’s comprehensive and efficient public transportation system. “It’s incredible. The buses and Metro trains come frequently, and basically I can get almost anywhere in the city pretty quickly. That’s something I really love about Shenzhen.”

While living in Shenzhen, Mount started focusing on learning Chinese, enrolling in language classes at SZPU to deepen his understanding. Even though he’s still undecided whether he’ll continue university studies in China or back home in Australia, he treasures the immersive experience. “My teachers at SZPU don’t just teach the language, they bring in culture, history, and aspects of work and life here, which you wouldn’t get from books alone.”

Mount, now 22, lived with his host family in Antuoshan, Futian District, for about half a year, and their hospitality left him with a deep impression. He still visits the family regularly. “I saw them just two weeks ago, and last month I went to Dongguan with the family,” he said.

Jamie Alexander Mount (C) poses for a photo with two members of a team winning the second place in a dragon boat race in Hunan Province last week. Courtesy of the interviewee

He spoke warmly about the family. “They were so kind and welcoming — especially the mom, who was incredibly caring and always made sure I had everything I needed. The two boys were amazing. I now think of them as my brothers.” The close connection helped Mount overcome his initial cultural shock.

For example, he first found it strange and even rude that people here don’t say ‘thank you’ often, especially during interactions between family members. However, living with a Chinese family allowed him to get a deeper understanding of his initial observation.

“I understood that when a stranger or someone outside of your close circle helps you, you say ‘thank you’ because there’s a gap between you two. But when your mom or dad does something nice, you don’t say it. It’s kind of expected. When I first came, I thought that was really weird and rude. Now I get it. The family is so closely bonded that you don’t always have to express your love or affection in words to them. It’s kind of known.”

Mount said he also appreciates the safety Shenzhen offers, which he had been skeptical about before coming. “I’m pretty forgetful, and l’ve left my phone and my bag behind several times, only to find everything exactly where I left it.”

Through it all, Mount has a message for students considering Shenzhen. “Come with an open mind. Don’t believe all the things you’ve heard before you come.” He added that the city’s vibrant high-tech scenes and constant innovation are a huge plus, especially for tech savvy people.

Mount’s Shenzhen experience shows that sometimes the best journeys are the ones you don’t plan.