Peking University, September 3, 2024: Peking University (PKU) welcomed more than 1,100 international students from over 100 countries and regions with an orientation held from September 1 to 2, 2024, at the Student Center on PKU's Yanyuan Campus.

Gong Qihuang (center), president of Peking University, greets international students at the Student Center on Sept. 2, 2024

Witnessed by family members, staff, and dedicated volunteers, the incoming undergraduates, postgraduates, and exchange students had the opportunity to connect, share their stories, and create lasting memories.


Student reporters from PKU News spoke with some of the new students, inquiring about their future plans, academic pursuits, and unique connections to PKU.

Alba

Alba, a Spanish exchange student in Asian Studies, shares that she chose PKU because of its esteemed reputation as one of China's top universities. Having completed her undergraduate studies in East Asian Studies, she was strongly encouraged by her professors to pursue further education at PKU. Their rewarding experiences working and studying at PKU, along with PKU's welcoming foreign student community and exceptional Chinese language programs, made it a compelling choice for her.

As an avid exerciser, Alba is eager to explore the gym. She is also keen to join a club or society to connect with Chinese students. She believes that participating in extracurricular activities will provide valuable opportunities to practice her Chinese and immerse herself in campus life. She is particularly interested in joining a dance or badminton club, given their popularity at PKU.

For the new semester, Alba's primary goal is to excel in her Chinese language studies to prepare for applying to the master's program in Chinese as a Second Language at PKU. She is committed to working diligently to achieve the proficiency required for admission.

Taichi Numasaki (right)

Taichi Numasaki, a Japanese student at the School of International Studies, highlights that he has been drawn to PKU's diverse international student community and the opportunity to meet people from various backgrounds. He plans to attend the Clubs and Associations Fair to explore the various student organizations available. As a rock-climbing enthusiast, he is particularly interested in joining the bouldering club.

Numasaki's goals for the semester include completing his coursework, making new friends, and enjoying his university experience.

Aela

Aela, an American exchange student, explains that her decision to study at PKU was driven by her interest in Chinese culture, which led her to apply for her home university’s exchange program with PKU. She finds China's rich cultural heritage fascinating and sees PKU as an excellent opportunity to learn more about it.

Aela is particularly interested in discovering more about Chinese culture through intensive language courses and aims to gain proficiency in daily interactions. She is also excited to immerse herself in the academic environment at PKU and has expressed interest in studying at the PKU Library.

Aela's goals include deepening her understanding of Chinese culture, immersing herself in the local environment, and connecting with students from diverse backgrounds.


Peerapat Samarnmit, from Thailand, is visiting China—and Beijing—for the first time. After a long journey from admission to joining an MBA program, Peerapat arrives with a clear goal: to gain a deep understanding of Chinese business and market practices. He hopes this knowledge will help him transition his career and eventually start his own business in Bangkok, Thailand. Despite feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement, he is confident that this will be an amazing journey filled with learning and exploration. 

Marten, from Germany, has chosen to pursue his MBA at Peking University because he believes in the importance of intercultural understanding and exchange in the business world. He is excited to embark on this journey at PKU, eager to learn more about business in China and to connect with other critical thinkers from both China and around the globe.


To the new PKUers from around the world, congratulations on embarking on this exciting new journey!

Reported and written by: Jawad Shabbir, Wang Jia En 
Edited by: Dennis Meng
Photos by: Cao Mengyao, Xiang Tingyan