Sport and Exercise Science

Chengdu case study

The Department of Sport and Exercise signed a collaborative agreement with the Chengdu Sports University (CSU), Sechuan Province, China on Saturday 16th October 2004. This partnership will enable students from CSU to complete their degree studies in Portsmouth as well as enabling Portsmouth students to study on selected Courses in, for example, martial arts in China.

Prospective students who want to study sport at the university of Portsmouth and who have a particular interest in martial arts or gymnastics may have the opportunity to further their specific knowledge and skills in these activities during an extended stay in China. Moreover, the Department intends to introduce the academic study of these sports in specialised units in the final year of the programmes in order to reinforce the link with CSU and build a reputation in this area.

Chengdu Sports University is one of the premier sports Institutions in China. It covers an area of 400,000 square metres and has more than 15,000 students studying sport or related areas. The opportunity for our students to continue their education at CSU is a development of which we are extremely proud and excited.

For further information about CSU, please consult the Cheng Du Sports University Website or contact Neil Weston (International Officer), in the Department.

One of our former graduates who studied at CSU has written a piece on his experiences:

Chengdu Sports University, 2004

by Jem Ramazanoglu

I arrived in Chengdu to hot sun, a warm breeze and a throng of locals offering me a taxi. I had no local money, spoke no Chinese and due to a little error on my part, no one to collect me (I sent them to the wrong terminal!). Not the best start to my China adventure, but not the worst either.

It gave me the opportunity to get immediately immersed in Chengdu life, and after a quick bartering session with a lady who spoke good English, I arranged a cab ride (paid for in US dollars) to the University, where I was met by a very relieved Mr. Shu. It just goes to show, you don’t have to be organised to get by in China!

The University itself is a large campus with outstanding sports facilities: 2 athletic fields, at least 10 outdoor and 5 indoor basketball courts, a table tennis warehouse with over 30 tables, 5 tennis courts, a swimming pool, a multi-level sports hall for badminton, volleyball and netball, etc.., several outdoor volleyball courts, a huge gymnasium, weightlifting room as well as 3 halls for practicing martial arts. There are several football pitches as well as new teaching blocks and a whole host of cafes and restaurants on campus.

Classes were taught in English (I had private tutition 4 times per week with a world class kungfu coach) and additional classes were available in Chinese (sometimes with a translator). It is certainly possible to study virtually any sport you enjoy, and the top coaches make it worth your while.

Sichuan food is the best in China (and the hottest!) you will never tire of the unbelievable selection of dishes available, I think I tried an average of 2-3 new dishes every day for 3 months and I barely scratched the surface of Chengdu food culture. Chengdu is also famous for its tea and tea houses, there are several beautiful examples in the ‘new-old street’ just around the corner from the Campus, a modern recreation of an old-world Chinese street. Also of great cultural interest are the many temples in Chengdu, the most famous of which (Wu-ho temple) actually backs onto the international building (aka. 3* hotel) where I was staying on campus.

Although if none of these appeal to you then you may just want to visit the giant Panda park and spend time watching the demonstrations of Sichuan opera available at tea houses in the area. Or even spend time practicing Tai-Chi with the old folk in the park early each morning.

The time I spent at Chengdu Sport University has been a period of great nostaliga in my life. I only think back with fond memories of my experiences and friends made there, where I fulfilled my lifelong ambition of studying kungfu in China and discovered a nation of vibrant, energetic and friendly people.

To all of you who are considering visiting China, whether for study or pleasure. I most sincerely recommend Chengdu Sports University, a fantastic place in a fantastic location in a fantastic country, and yes, filled with fantastic people. This may seem a little over the top to some of you, but trust me, you ain’t seen nothing yet!

Jem