A New Journey Begins🔛

Hello! I am Sangnan, but you can call me Sophia. My friends in China prefer to call me “Huahua” (meaning “flower” in Chinese) because my last name sounds similar to the word for flower.

I was born in a coastal town in Ningbo, a city in eastern China, but grew up in Chongqing, a city in the southwest. Having lived in both eastern and western China, I speak the dialects of these two regions.

Known as the “Mountain City” for its dramatic hillside landscapes and the “Fog City” for its misty weather, Chongqing attracts visitors with its unique blend of natural beauty and modernity. It is the birthplace of Chongqing Hot Pot, a fiery Sichuan peppercorn-infused dish that has gained global fame. The city is also famous for its light rail system, with trains gliding through buildings and over cliffs, offering breathtaking views.

Different from Chongqing, my hometown blends rural charm with urban convenience. My grandparents’ tile-roofed house lies in a small village surrounded by natural beauty. In front of the house are farmlands where my grandfather grows vegetables, and just steps away, a clear river flows past endless green fields. At night, a sliver of moon hangs in a pale blue sky glittering with stars. In addition, people also have access to the convenience of modern life like buying things and entertainment. It just takes 20-minute-bus get to shopping mall and some business districts. 

My bachelor’s degree in German Language and Literature opened doors to immerse myself in Germany’s cultural landscape like history, art and literature, and also ignited my passion for exploring these fields. Munich, a city that seamlessly combines tradition with modernity, offers an unparalleled environment to immerse myself in these passions and further my intellectual growth. Besides, as a graduate student in Communication Studies, I am drawn to LMU, one of world’s most prestigious institutions, for its unique ability to merge cutting-edge media research, cultural depth, and interdisciplinary opportunities.

For the coming months, I aim to deepen my knowledge both in communication studies and in German literature. Beyond the classroom, I am eager to make new friends from all over the world, because building connection with people is very important to me. I also hope to travel in different countries in my free time, to experience diverse cultures firsthand, to explore medieval heritage sites, to admire Renaissance art, and to immerse myself in stunning natural landscapes.

I expect my semester abroad to transform me both professionally and personally—equipping me with the tools to navigate multicultural environments, the creativity to innovate in media, and the empathy to foster meaningful cross-border dialogue. I love photography and I want to document my time here with my camera. I also aim to cultivate the courage to step out of my comfort zone, explore the world, and immerse myself in diverse cultures.