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The Peking Chronicles: Life at PKU Shenzhen

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About a month ago, more than 50 individuals reached the city of Shenzhen from all corners of the world to a common destination, The University Town of Shenzhen to study at Peking University's HSBC Business School and The School of Transnational Law. They have since then become a innate part of the school experiencing cultural immersion and rigorous academics that define Peking University.



Each one of them has a story to tell and share the common goal of being a part of the growing Chinese job market and gain insights into Chinese business and legal practices, for which the best place is Peking University." When I study here, I study at a young, dynamic and entrepreneurial business school backed and invigorated by a renowned and revered university. I get the best of both worlds ", said one student from HSBC Business School when asked about his reason to come to Peking University. Andre Georgi, a full time student from Germany wants to take advantage of the trade relations between Germany and China. He speaks fluent Mandarin and wants to leverage his Mandarin skills and his education at PKU to do so.

Internationalization
Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School has slowly gained a unique ground in the academic circles in China for being the most international university campus here with the present class representing more than 30 countries. The vibrancy of Shenzhen and the excellent reputation of Peking University have attracted students from all over the world this year. Asif Siddiqui, from the present class of Quant. Finance had been teaching in a business school in Canada for twelve years before he decided to come to Peking University to study Finance in order to give a boost to his career.

The growing economic might of China too has been a key factor in the internationalization of Peking University. Zafar Iqbal, an Economics student from Pakistan says, "Pakistan and China are two big trading partners and there is a huge demand for people who can act as a bridge between these two nations, who understand their different business practices." "A Peking University degree will allow me to do just that," he adds . This is clearly evident in real life too because every subsequent class of Peking University has seen increasing levels of internationalization. Gregory Mallis, a finance student from the Bahamas shares the same opinion. He said, "The finance industry in China is still growing. If I join this workforce, I will grow with it rather than just become a part of it. "

Life as an International student:
The life of an international student at PKU is one both excitement and distress. Even though PKU campus atmosphere is a comforting one, being away from home and the culture shock does take its toll on international students. "Even though I have extensively travelled, China is still a strange land to me. I am slowly falling in love with it though," said Gregory Maillis, a full time student from the Bahamas. This perspective is shared by almost all international students.

A international student's day consists of rigorous classes, involvement in extracurricular activities coupled with constant cultural immersion throughout the day. "There is so much to do here on campus that a day seems less" said an international student. "Apart from classes, I work as an intern at the Chancellor's office, have joined the English Association and will be going on a bicycle expedition to Guilin this National Day break. Being this busy is fun,” he added.

Still, the life of international student has a few bumps and puddles. "The biggest problem is not being able to communicate the most basic things because of the language barrier. It is sometimes really irritating,” said Zafar Iqbal, when asked about his life on campus. It is indeed true for most international students. Zafar went on to say that "I desperately want to learn Chinese to be able to express myself and I am taking classes too." Culture shock also is difficult to handle. The Ikea trip during orientation provided all international students a glimpse of the same albeit for comic relief when they saw people sleeping on the beds and couches at Ikea which is common practice here.

The academic workload is mentally taxing too. “But I realized that even before coming here. Rigorous studies are necessary when you study with the best and aspire to be the best," said an international student.

Integration:
Integration has been the buzzword among this class of international students at PKU. Intermixing of cultures and co-operative learning are what promote attempts at integration the most. The International Students Association of PKU has taken a lead role in helping international students cross the language barriers and inhibition and develop strong bonds with our Chinese classmates. Most International students have long term plans in mind, of staying and growing in China. These are clearly exhibited in the efforts they have taken to ensure acceptance and integration with the large student community here.

The speed tutorial night, a collaborative event jointly organized by the International Association and English Association was one such event that brought International and Chinese students together and after an hour of free conversations, matched an International student with a Chinese student so that they can help each other improve their language skills. “Most students have inhibitions when it comes to approaching a Chinese classmate or vice versa. Our aim is to bring them together so that they can get to know each other," Tiago, the president of the International Association was quoted as saying before the event. To stretch his efforts further, Tiago and the International association have several more events planned. “We have to get out of our comfort zones to integrate well," he said when asked about the best way to make friends here.

Another excellent way for international students to integrate well is through the numerous student associations and they have made full use of it.  “I felt that our love for the same activity (bicycling) has helped me bypass the language barrier," said an international student who has joined the cycling association. The international students to integrate over sports better, started the PHBS International soccer team and now play with local teams every week.

Exchange students
This year marks a unique feat for Peking University because, a large group of international students are exchange students who have come to Peking University for a semester long stay. The first class of exchange students represent more than ten countries like Denmark, Finland, Germany, Brazil, etc and a plethora of graduate majors like Law, Management,  Finance and Economics . The exchange students see coming to PKU as an excellent way of gaining insights to Chinese work culture that combined with their degree will help them in a transnational career. Heloisa, an exchange student at the School of Transnational Law from Brazil feels the same. "I chose to come to China for exchange because this country can help me grow the most professionally, personally and academically", she said on being asked her reasons to come to China. What she likes about this place the most is "how friendly the students here are especially my friend from the buddy program who showed me around the campus."

For an exchange student, cultural immersion is as important as their studies at PKU. Most of them want to enjoy and see and experience as much of China as they can in these 5 months . Maria, an exchange student from the Netherlands said she came to China because she "wanted to experience Asian culture" and went on to say that "what I have seen here is quite remarkable, China is definitely more advanced and developed than it is portrayed in the media, especially movies.” They do admit that life is difficult here but the general perspective is that those inconveniences are worth the experience. Tiia, an exchange student from Finland felt the same way when she came here. She said, “I was my first time in a dorm, had difficulty finding trivial things such as a western toilet, a loaf of bread . . . but things have been smooth since and I now enjoy my time."

 For others, studying in China form a part of the bigger picture of settling in Asia or specializing in Asian business practices. Teddi, an exchange student from Denmark says," I want to settle in Hong Kong, and this program has given me a great opportunity to make friends in China , learn their language and culture. It will make things easier for me in Hong Kong." The exchange students from the School of Transnational law echo the same sentiments.

This one month in China as several exchange students said has been a roller coaster ride for them , in which they went from culture shock to cultural immersion and started seeing everything through the "Asian lens."  This is also the first trip to Asia for several of them and they would like to explore the lengths and breadths of it.  As this article is being written, several exchange students are on their way to Shanghai and Guangxi to explore the natural beauty of China during their national day break.

All of them have been "charmed by China” and their life at PKU to an extent that they feel it will be difficult to leave the country and go back to their home institutions. When asked about the same, Maria said," Since we live in a dorm, we are like a close knit community here. We see our friends every day, hang out and now feel that I have known them for years. Because of such strong bonds, it will be difficult to just go. But hey, that's life."  

The exchange students will certainly carry back fond memories and lifelong connections from their stay in the orient.

Work opportunities during graduate study:
The student visa of international students forbids them from going for paid part-time work and internships. English teaching opportunities in Shenzhen are plenty and it has slowly evolved into a highly organized profession. In fact, several International students here came to China as English teachers and then decided to pursue graduate studies for career enhancement. Brent Lorree from the USA is one of them. He came to China almost an year ago to teach English and learn Chinese and was teaching in Shenzhen since then before taking up graduate studies.

Opportunities to work in large numbers are on campus too. Several internships are offered by the Chancellor's administrative office, the PHBS administrative office, etc. "This internship is an excellent way to improve my Chinese skills and gain insights to the work culture here. Plus, it pays too ," said an international student who has recently started working at the Chancellor's Office at Peking University Shenzhen. Such internships are also a god of way of giving back to the school and voice your concerns. Apart from this, opportunities to work crop up on campus everyday from moderating English corners at Tsinghua University and HIT to editing documents. Teaching Assistantships and Research Assistantships are also a good way to earn while you learn. TA and RA appointment though are extremely competitive.

Despite its ups and downs, the life of an International student at Peking University is both exciting and hectic where every moment brings with it a chance to learn something more. If this one month is to be a snapshot of what is to come for the duration of the program, then everyday in China is indeed an adventure worth writing about.

Written by Sunny Mewati


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