Peking University, May 22, 2026: I am Theodora De Freitas Domingues, a Brazilian student studying in Peking University School of Transnational Law (STL). For many international students, studying in China begins with curiosity. For me, that curiosity gradually became something deeper: a long-term commitment shaped by experience, research, and legal study.

I did not grow up imagining that I would one day study law in China. The idea emerged slowly during my university years in Brazil, when I enrolled in courses offered through a partnership with the Confucius Institute. At first, I joined simply out of curiosity about the language. But through those classes, I also encountered stories about Chinese traditions, festivals, and everyday life. China no longer felt entirely distant.

That initial interest eventually led me to Shenzhen in 2023, when I spent an exchange semester at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen. While many classmates chose exchange programs in Europe, I wanted to experience somewhere unfamiliar and intellectually challenging.
 


Living in Shenzhen gave me my first close-up view of China's rapid transformation. I watched neighborhoods evolve during a single semester and saw how technological innovation, urban development, and public infrastructure were integrated into everyday life. What had previously existed only as headlines or abstract discussions became tangible and personal.

Some of my most memorable experiences, however, came through ordinary cultural moments. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, I joined friends in making and releasing water lanterns by the river. It was a quiet evening, but one that made Chinese traditions feel immediate and human rather than distant concepts from a textbook.
 

 

At the same time, I became increasingly interested in China's role in sustainability and technological development. During a university visit to BYD, I saw firsthand how innovation in renewable energy and electric vehicles was being translated into industrial practice. For someone already interested in environmental issues, the experience left a lasting impression.
 


When the exchange ended and I returned to Brazil, I realized my connection to China had not ended with the semester. I began participating in research communities focused on China-related studies, including Observa China, a Brazilian academic network dedicated to research and dialogue on China's global role.

There, my interests became more focused. I worked on projects related to sustainability, renewable energy, and China's engagement with the Global South. Much of our work involved making research and policy discussions more accessible to Portuguese-speaking audiences in Brazil. Through these experiences, I began thinking more seriously about the relationship between law, development, and international cooperation.

It was during this period that I first learned about Peking University School of Transnational Law. What attracted me was not only STL's location in Shenzhen, but also its international and comparative approach to legal education. The program's emphasis on cross-border legal training and its diverse faculty backgrounds aligned closely with the questions I hoped to explore.

Today, as an STL student, my academic interests focus on environmental governance, carbon markets, foreign investment, and the relationship between sustainability and human rights. Courses such as Energy Law and Foreign Direct Investment Law have allowed me to connect legal theory with the practical challenges surrounding global green transitions.
 


These interests are also connected to my experiences growing up in Brazil. Before studying law, I spent time working with homeless communities and grassroots organizations. Those experiences shaped how I understood the role of law in society. I became increasingly concerned with how legal systems affect vulnerable communities and how environmental and economic policies translate into lived realities.

Later, I also collaborated with an NGO engaged in discussions related to business and human rights at the international level. Those experiences reinforced my belief that global sustainability efforts must remain connected to local communities and social realities.

At STL, learning extends beyond the classroom. One of the most meaningful aspects of student life has been the friendships formed across cultures. My classmates come from different regions of the world, yet many of us share similar experiences of adapting to a new country while trying to understand complex global challenges together. Those conversations have shaped my understanding of both law and international cooperation in ways that textbooks alone could not.

 

State of STL 2025 & Alumni Annual Gathering

Looking ahead, I hope to work on legal issues related to Chinese investment in Brazil, particularly in the fields of energy and sustainability. I hope to help facilitate greater mutual understanding between Chinese companies and Brazilian communities, especially in areas where economic development, environmental protection, and local rights intersect.

When people ask me what China is like, I often think about how difficult it is to understand a country only from a distance. Living and studying here has taught me that meaningful understanding comes through experience, dialogue, and everyday interaction.

Looking back, my journey to China was not defined by one dramatic decision. Instead, it was shaped by a series of smaller steps: a language class, an exchange semester, research discussions, and eventually legal study at STL. Over time, curiosity became commitment, and China became not simply a place I visited, but a place where I continue to grow academically and personally.

Source: Peking University School of Transnational Law