Peking University, September 17, 2025: It was in those childhood afternoons, surrounded by drifting tea fragrance, that Lea Baillargeon’s bond with the Chinese language first began to bud. Her grandfather’s smooth white porcelain cup seemed like a magical treasure chest to her. The moment the lid was lifted, a new aroma rushed forth, carrying with it stories from faraway lands.

"My grandfather was a Canadian through and through, but he was almost obsessively in love with Chinese tea. Our family’s tea cabinet was always neatly stacked with dozens of tins filled with tea leaves from the East."

White tea reminded her of mountain fog, gentle and refreshing, while yellow tea lingered with a slow-cooked sweetness. Those flavors sparked her first curiosity about China. One afternoon in 2018, a copy of The Analects awakened that subtle yearning. “At first, I read the French version, then the English one. But no matter how I compared them, something was missing. The original flavor, the depth of wisdom—it all seemed to fade in translation,” she admitted.

At that moment, a strong desire surged within her: she wanted to learn Chinese characters, to hear the conversations of Confucius and his disciples in their authentic voice, to grasp the warmth of Eastern wisdom unfiltered by translation. That longing, like the tea fragrance that once quietly rose from her grandfather’s tins, became unstoppable. It was the spark that set her on her lifelong journey of learning Chinese.



Polyglot Power: Talent Meets Tenacity

In the wide universe of languages, Lea shines as a gifted explorer.  French is her mother tongue, English flows effortlessly, and she speaks fluent Japanese and Korean. She once stood on the stage of KBS’s World Korean Quiz as Canada’s champion, ranking among the global top 20 contestants. She also represented Canadian youth as a speaker at a student conference in Tokyo. Behind these achievements was no shortcut—only years of self-study and perseverance.

When Chinese entered her life, the Chinese characters quickly became the main melody of her daily routine. Every morning began with the original texts of The Analects and The Art of War. Her fingertips glided over the strokes, as if greeting ancient wisdom to start the day. For nearly seven hours each day, she immersed herself in Chinese: copying characters, dissecting radicals, mimicking tones and rhythms in online videos, even practicing subtle facial expressions to make her spoken Chinese vivid and natural.

"This process is full of challenges, but whenever I see my pronunciation improve or my understanding deepen, all the effort feels worthwhile."

In 2019, Lea spent a month studying at an international Chinese school in Beijing. Strolling through hutongs, attending classes, chatting with locals—Chinese finally stepped out of textbooks and into her life. By the time she flew home, her suitcase carried more than souvenirs: it held a burning love for Chinese culture.



Bridging Worlds Through Words

By 2023, Lea wasn’t just studying Chinese—she was living it. She visited Guangdong to conduct field research on multilingualism in local communities, exploring how dialects carried cultural memory. She uncovered the hidden keys of communication behind Hakka dialects and witnessed the beauty of multicultural coexistence. In Guangxi, she took the stage as Canada’s champion in the CHINESE BRIDGE competition. Her fluent storytelling in Chinese, filled with sincerity, won her a place among the world’s top 30 contestants.

In 2024, China welcomed her back, this time in Beijing. At Peking University, she studied Chinese for a semester and immersed herself fully—listening to lectures, joining student clubs, and even competing in a Chinese speech contest where she won third prize. Her speech, “The World is Like the Sea, Youth Sail Together,” expressed her hope to contribute to sustainable development through the power of youth. The mix of nerves, excitement, and mutual learning during the contest became treasured memories on her growth journey. The rich academic atmosphere, diverse campus life, and friendships from all over the world left her deeply enamored with PKU.



An Academic Path Shaped by Language

Lea’s academic choices have always been intertwined with Chinese. At McGill University, her curiosity about “human behavior and social processes” led her to major in psychology, where she developed strong interests in psycholinguistics and neuroscience.

In 2024, during her semester at PKU, she met Professor Qin Lang from the School of Chinese as a Second Language, who became her mentor. From theories of second-language acquisition to practical skills in cross-cultural teaching, every discussion deepened her fascination with the field.

Applying to PKU’s master’s program was a major test—she had to pass both a written exam and an oral interview in Chinese. “Preparation left no room for slack. My Chinese had to be solid, with my professional knowledge equally strong,” she shared. She crafted detailed study plans, drew from advice online, and poured herself wholeheartedly into the challenge.

Today, she is a proud master’s student at PKU, researching second-language acquisition using magnetoencephalography (MEG) and computational modeling. From recruiting participants to writing reports, she uses Chinese every step of the way. Though demanding, she embraces it all: “The academic atmosphere here is incredible. Everyone is so driven—it reinforces my belief that education changes lives.” Quoting The Great Learning, she added, “‘The way of the university is to manifest one’s bright virtue.’ That spirit inspires me every day.”



Dreaming Forward:  Scholar, Writer, Bridge-Builder

Lea envisions a future both ambitious and clear. She hopes to pursue a PhD and make lasting contributions to second-language learning, especially Chinese. Her dream is to make Chinese more accessible and to let the world feel its cultural charm. More importantly, she aspires to serve as a bridge between China and Canada.

"During my time in China, I’ve felt so much kindness and warmth. These experiences have strengthened my resolve to promote friendship and cooperation between our two countries, so that cultures can blend and the world can be more peaceful."

Inspired by China’s idea of the “three-good student”—excellent in academics, character, and physical fitness—she also seeks holistic growth. She plans to learn archery and judo at PKU and, perhaps most excitingly, begin writing in Chinese. “I’ve published in French and English. Now I want to write novels and poems in Chinese too,” said Lea.



From the tea cabinet in her grandfather’s Canadian home to the lecture halls of Peking University, Lea’s journey is a tale of devotion, resilience, and cross-cultural wonder. “I feel like I have an inseparable bond with Chinese culture,” she says. “The more I learn, the more I want to know.”

The road ahead may be thorny, but Lea is undaunted. With determination, scholarship, and a heart that bridges worlds, her story continues—like the endless fragrance of tea that first set her on this path.

Source: Peking University Office of International Relations
Edited by: Goi Sin Yee
Photo by: Courtesy of the writer