Peking University, September 16, 2025: Natalie Wong Nang Hui, from Malaysia, is an undergraduate at Peking University’s School of Mathematical Sciences. She is one of the few international students from East Malaysia studying at PKU. She has received multiple honours and awards, including a prize in the Chen Jingrun Cup Secondary School Mathematics Competition. During her secondary school years, she developed a strong interest in research related to mathematical logic and frequently represented her school in Chinese debate competitions. Inspired by two of her Chinese teachers, she decided to pursue her studies at PKU.



From Sarawak to Weiming Lake

Malaysia spans two regions: West Malaysia on the peninsula bordering Thailand and Singapore, and East Malaysia on the island of Borneo. Sarawak, a multicultural state in East Malaysia, is the hometown of Natalie Wong, a freshman at PKU’s School of Mathematical Sciences.

Her choice of PKU was shaped by both family ties and personal experiences. With her grandfather from China and relatives still living there, she has always felt a close connection to the country. Before university, she visited China twice. The first trip took her to Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai with her family. The second was to Zhangjiajie in Hunan during high school. Witnessing the country’s rapid transformation, along with its welcoming people, left a lasting impression.

The long-standing friendship between China and Malaysia further deepened her interest, but the true mentors who guided her to PKU were her two teachers.





During primary school, a lively math teacher from China introduced Natalie to Olympiad mathematics, sparking her love for numbers. That passion carried into secondary school, where math became her strongest subject. At her Malaysian Chinese Independent High School, she later studied under another teacher, a graduate of PKU’s School of Mathematical Sciences. His patient and meticulous teaching, along with his ability to inspire independent thinking, left a deep impression. His example made her wonder what kind of university could shape such a remarkable teacher, and together with PKU’s global reputation, convinced her to make it her first choice.

With an excellent academic record, Natalie earned a place in the PKU admission interview. The experience was nerve-racking. Unlike applicants from West Malaysia who had an in-person site, she had to complete the interview online, with no seniors to turn to for guidance. Fortunately, her background in debate gave her confidence. Having represented her school in many Chinese debate competitions, she had learned to stay calm and think quickly. These skills proved invaluable: she performed steadily in the interview and was admitted to PKU’s School of Mathematical Sciences.



Pressure and Possibility

Receiving the long-awaited admission letter did not bring immediate relief. PKU’s School of Mathematical Sciences gathers the brightest minds from across China, and entering this community means competing and collaborating with the very best. Natalie admits she feels nervous about possible language barriers. Smiling, she says, “I’m worried about failing a course.” She quickly adds, “I worry, but I’m not afraid. Since I chose mathematics, I’m ready for any challenge. I love math, and the harder the problem, the greater the sense of achievement when I solve it.”

Her pure passion for mathematics transforms pressure into motivation, turning the brilliance of her peers into inspiration. She is especially excited by the chance to learn from some of the finest mathematicians in China and beyond. At PKU, pressure is real, but so is possibility.

“And university life isn’t just about classes!” Natalie, who has wide-ranging interests, eagerly explored extracurricular opportunities. The PKU Wine Club surprised her but also resonated deeply, reflecting PKU’s spirit of inclusiveness. “Even the most niche hobbies can find a home here. That’s amazing!” Growing up in East Malaysia, where winemaking and tasting are common traditions, the thought of meeting like-minded peers at PKU fills her with excitement.



Beyond her strengths, she hopes to try new activities and embrace fresh experiences. She talks about the idea of a “slash youth,” someone who refuses to be confined to a single path and seeks both self-identity and social identity. To her, PKU’s humanistic environment is the perfect place to pursue all her dreams.

A Bowl of Laksa that Connects the World

Natalie once read about PKU’s International Cultural Festival, held at the university gymnasium. The event brings together people from around the world to share hometown stories, make friends across borders, and exchange cultural traditions over food.

When asked what she would showcase to represent East Malaysia, Natalie immediately said, “Tuak, the traditional rice wine of the Iban people.” Unlike Chinese rice wine, it is brewed from glutinous rice. Perhaps worried about being seen as only promoting alcohol, she quickly added a second answer, “Sarawak Laksa.” She describes it as curry-like but without curry spices, with sambal belacan and lime juice added before eating.


Malaysian cuisine embodies the spirit of fusion, shaped by centuries of cultural exchange among Malays, Chinese, Indians, indigenous peoples, Peranakans, and Siamese communities. A bowl of Laksa blends Malay curry spices with Chinese rice noodles and Peranakan-style sour and spicy flavors. Rojak, meaning “mixture” in Malay, mixes fruits, fried dough, and tofu puffs with a sauce of shrimp paste, sugar, chili, and lime. The flavors are complex yet harmonious, reflecting Malaysia’s multicultural society.

This inherent diversity allows people of any cultural background to find a taste of home in Malaysian food. It is more than a meal. It tells a history across oceans and continents, a dialogue between cultures, and a vision of a global village where unity thrives in diversity. Natalie hopes future International Cultural Festivals at PKU will feature more Malaysian dishes, showing that delicious food can also build understanding and friendship.

From Sarawak to Yanyuan, Natalie Wong, one of the few students from East Malaysia at PKU, embodies the enduring friendship between China and Malaysia and PKU’s spirit of inclusiveness. Just as she brings Laksa and rice wine from home to the Weiming Lake, students from around the world bring their own cultural imprints to PKU. When people of different languages and backgrounds meet with curiosity and sincerity, learn together, and grow through understanding, the bond of a shared human destiny becomes stronger.

Source: Peking University Office of International Relations
Photo: Courtesy of the interviewee
Edited by: Tan Sze Yin