Axel & Shanghai family
Coordination Program, September-December 2023
Axel came to China from Lyon, France in 2023, starting his cultural exchange on an X1 student visa. While this visa type is generally designed for formal university study, it was the available option at the time — and it shaped the path that followed.
After a change in host family and city, Axel faced complex local registration policies. As the X1 requires strict class attendance and formal university sponsorship, the move triggered additional paperwork. At one point, he had to return to his university to complete visa-related updates.
Our team member was involved in supporting his exchange throughout, helped coordinate between institutions, interpret policy requirements, and manage communication between Axel, the schools, and his host family. Though the process was far from straightforward, the result was a return to Shanghai — and a meaningful, if non-linear, experience.
Axel stayed with a family working in fashion and design. Beyond the expected hospitality, they offered thoughtful touches of care — even helping him with clothing care and formal wear advice when needed.
Outside of the home, Axel found connection in a different form. He met other international students and au pairs, forming friendships that extended beyond language classes. Together, they explored the city’s social scene — from cafés to late-night music — always within the boundaries of mutual trust and host family understanding.
His story doesn’t fit the “ideal model” often shown in exchange brochures. But it reflects what cultural exchange often truly is: unpredictable, sometimes frustrating, but full of small moments that stay with you long after the paperwork is done.