Editor’s note: The semester has been winding down, and the holiday break beckons. With that in mind, PKU students reflect on the year they’re finishing, the break to come, and how they view their goals for 2026.

Peking University, December 31, 2025: For Olivia Kugonza, visiting China had always been a distant dream. Growing up in Uganda, she was surrounded by Chinese-built shops, restaurants, and goods; China felt simultaneously close and far away. Although she had never been, its presence was woven into her everyday life.

 Determined to pursue her interest, Olivia followed every opportunity that connected her to China, a journey that eventually led her to enroll in a master’s degree program in Chinese Language and Economy at Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (JMU) in Germany.

 Embedded within this program was an exchange opportunity at one of China’s most prestigious institutions: Peking University. It was an opportunity Olivia had long dreamed of and was ready to embrace wholeheartedly. 

After a year of study in Germany, her exchange at Peking University officially began on September 1, 2025. Arriving in Beijing amid the lingering summer heat, Olivia found the city to be everything she had imagined — towering buildings, wide streets, and a seamless fusion of nature and innovation. Yet, despite the familiarity she thought she had with China, she soon realized that her first cultural surprises were only beginning.



At PKU, Olivia quickly grew fond of the university’s serene campus and its diverse culinary offerings. She immersed herself fully in both academic life and cultural exploration, taking advantage of the rigorous coursework and intellectual environment that Peking University is known for. 



One of the highlights of her time on campus was the International Culture Festival, where she experienced traditions from around the world while also having the opportunity to share her own culture. This exchange of stories, music, and customs left her more open-minded and deeply appreciative of cultural diversity. Beyond campus life, Olivia explored Beijing’s historical landmarks, including the Great Wall, an experience she describes as unforgettable. For her, Beijing became a city of comfort, discovery, and reflection.



Yet China had more to offer beyond the capital. Driven by curiosity and courage, Olivia embarked on a solo journey to Guangzhou and Shenzhen, two bustling hubs of business and innovation, despite not knowing a single person there. The sleeper train ride from Beijing to Guangzhou was long and exhausting, but it rewarded her with sweeping views of highlands and lowlands, distant cities, and quiet countryside landscapes. 

In Guangzhou, Olivia connected with people across generations. Her spontaneity led her to dance in public squares with strangers and share meals with people she might never meet again. These fleeting encounters filled her with warmth and left her yearning to explore even more of China. 

In just three months, Olivia built meaningful relationships, deepened her cultural understanding, and strengthened her Chinese language skills. Reflecting on her journey, she shares a simple but powerful message: “If you have the opportunity to come to China, just do it.”

As her exchange at Peking University approaches its end, Olivia feels enriched by the experiences she has gained. She knows she will miss the familiar streets of PKU, the calm of the Weiming Lake, and the many people who shaped her journey. 

Inspired by the strong sense of community she found at PKU, her New Year’s resolution is to continue improving her Chinese language skills and to actively promote cultural exchange between Africa and China. She hopes to one day help build communities that reflect the openness, curiosity, and mutual understanding she experienced during her time in Beijing.

You never leave an exchange program unchanged, and Olivia is no exception.



Interviewed and written by: Efua Amfo
Edited by: Chen Shizhuo
Photo by:courtesy of the interviewee