巴斯生活手记

My life in Bath often begins with a very British question: should I bring an umbrella today?

When I first arrived, I thought I could guess the weather by looking out of the window. I soon learned that Bath does not work like that: a sunny morning can easily become a rainy afternoon. After being caught in heavy rain once, I now always keep an umbrella in my bag. That small lesson sums up my life in Bath quite well: peaceful, sometimes surprising, and full of little things you learn along the way.

 

As a Chinese international student, food has been one of the easiest ways for me to feel at home. Bath is not as big as London or Bristol, so there are fewer Chinese restaurants and supermarkets, but it is still possible to find many familiar ingredients. I usually buy Asian groceries from Hondo, Friends Forever or Hai Na. They sell useful basics such as rice, noodles, hotpot base, frozen dumplings and snacks. Some larger supermarkets, including Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, M&S and Waitrose, also have small Asian food sections. On campus, Fresh has a convenient area for Chinese and Asian food, which is very helpful after a long day of classes or work. For more choice, I often shop online through Amazon. Recently, I have also started using Joybuy, where many items arrive quickly!!!

I would not recommend bringing too much food from China, because most everyday ingredients can be found here. However, I would bring a few favourite regional snacks, special sauces or anything that gives you comfort when you feel homesick. Sometimes one familiar flavour can make a difficult day feel much better.

Bath also has many lovely independent restaurants and cafés. One of my favourite places is Solina. I enjoy sitting by the window, eating pasta and tiramisu, and looking out towards Pulteney Bridge. When I want Asian food, I sometimes go to Charm Thai, which serves really tasty Thai dishes.

 

Celebrating festivals in Bath feels different from celebrating them at home. Chinese New Year or the Dragon Boat Festival can be quieter here. Sometimes, I still have meetings or deadlines on the day itself. But that also makes small celebrations more meaningful. Cooking with friends, sharing food or joining student events can create a different kind of warmth. I also love Bath’s own seasonal events. Party in the City fills the streets with music in May, the Jane Austen Festival gives Bath a historical atmosphere in September, and the Christmas Market makes the city feel especially festive in December.

Community has been very important to me. Studying abroad can be exciting, but there are also moments when I miss home. At the University of Bath, societies such as the Chinese Students and Scholars Association, ChinaRen and the Association of British and Chinese University Students can help students meet people and feel connected. This year, I also joined No Plates Like Home at lime tree, where I helped share Chinese dishes with students and staff. It reminded me that food is not only about taste, but also about connection.

 

My advice for new students is to bring layers, waterproof clothes and comfortable shoes. Also, give yourself time to adjust. Culture shock is not always dramatic. Sometimes it is just missing familiar food, feeling shy in a new environment, or being surprised that shops close earlier than expected. Bath may be small, but over time, it has become a place where I have found my own rhythm and my own version of home.