Peking University is one of the earliest institutions of higher education in China to accept international students. More than 7,000 international students currently come to Peking University to study every year. A number of international students have spent a wonderful and unforgettable college life in Peking University, and have become a bridge between China and the rest of the world.
Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School was established in April 2001 with the approval of the Ministry of Education. The mission ofPKUSZ is to carry out the work of a world-class international university in Shenzhen, a pioneer city leading China’s Reform and Opening-Up Policy. Under the principles of “New Frontiers, Interdisciplinary Studies, Applied Research and International Standards” PKU Shenzhen strives to innovate and push boundaries, while guaranteeing the 120-year-old legacy of the school endures. In 2004, Peking University HSBC Business School (PHBS) was established. Since then, it has grown rapidly in reputation and is now a center of international excellence in business education. With its engagement and commitment towards internationalization, PHBS has set up two campuses; one in Shenzhen city in China, and another in Boars Hill, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom.
With these outstanding international students about to graduate and return home after their studies,Nanyan News Agency launched this interview to approach these outstanding peers from all over the world, share their unique and wonderful stories, and listen to their deep and unforgettable feelings about Peking University.
[Why PKU]
Adel Moin is a student of Master of Management at Peking University HSBC Business School. Adel chose China in the first place because he had spent some time in China and really enjoyed theexperience here. Adel found PHBS to be the best fit, and herecalls that “PHBS was like a dream for me, getting into here was really like a big event in my life. I remember I wrote it down in my journal as one of my wishes. Peking University is prestigious, and students will have a chance at an excellent future if they get accepted.”
Because of the pandemic, Adel chose to go to the UK Campus of Peking University HSBC Business School to continue his education at HSBC.The UK Campus of Peking University HSBC Business School is located in Boars Hill, a beautiful place in Oxfordshire, which still retains the grandeur of the original hall dating in 1965. The buildings of the UK campus still have the architecture of the Arts and Crafts Movement of the early 20th Century including a formal Italianate style garden with terraces and balustrades, and a lake.Adel emphasizes that the school has set up a gym and subsidized training sessions for students. “This is really useful – it helps us have a clear mind and a healthy body. I am grateful to the school and the trainer,Christof, for all this.”
[Personal Development]
Adel Moin is passionate about reaching his full physical and mental potential. Learning at PHBS is a challenging task, but Adel believes that the academicexperience in PHBS UK gives him the versatility to face future challenges.
“I think that, different from my previous system, where you study and then at the end you have your final exams, here at PHBS you have much work to do, like weekly assignments, mid-term exams,and more. It was really tough when you were in the middle of it, but when you get through it, you will find that it’s not that bad because you actually grow and become more capable of managing it all. It makes you more versatile. It feels like whatever you want to do with your future, whether you want to work in a company or work for yourself or become an academic, you are prepared to overcome challenges when working on a lot of different projects at the same time and perform well under pressure.”
[Gratitude]
Because of the Covid-19 pandemic and travel restrictions, the school has offered Adel flexible choices between learning on the UK campus, studying online courses, and deferral. To experience life in the UK, Adel decided to take in-person classes in Boars Hill and some onlinecourses from Shenzhen while in the UK. Adel acknowledged that hybrid teaching has helped allow all students to study together. However, there are also difficulties at times, e.g., the online students cannot see the board clearly or hear the lecture properly. Although there are many challenges, the staff are very kind and manage this excellently. They helped Adel with thesis writing, job finding, and difficulties throughout the pandemic.
“In my favorite lecture — platform economics and online marketplace, we learned about platforms such as Uber, eBay, Amazon, etc. The course had many quantitative aspects, which was very tough for me. However, whenever I had questions and asked the professor, he would takemuch time to explain things to me. There was one question I remember asking him a few times, because the first time I thought I got it, but then I realized I still missed some part andso I asked him again. He spent so many hours on me, writing it down and explaining it to me. I am really grateful for all he did.
“I was the only online student in this lecture. The teaching assistant also put a lot of effortinto helping me contribute in class and making me feel like a part of the group. For example, he ensured I could hear the class and that the class could hear me when I talked. The camera was on all the time, and if it got a little blurry, he would adjust it to ensure it was clear. I think they tried their best to get the whole class on board. I am really grateful to them for the amount of work that they did for me.”
[Charity]
Adel joined the PHBS Ambassador Program and the International Student Union in the first year. Adel has organized international business fairs, like interacting with outside companies and inviting them to share things with students. Finding these activities interesting, Adel still felt that something was missing, and that was the charity and volunteering activities.
Adel reached out and asked the school if they wanted to organize a blood donation event, and the school agreed to provide their support. From there, Adel created the “PHBS Good Guys,” which specializes in helping students, helping the world around us, and helping our university grow. Adel says, “though I am leaving the school, part of me will always remain with this school, and as long as I can, I would like to offer my services to the school and continue to offer value.”
[Wish]
Adel will work with DHL Supply Chain in logistics and supply chain management. He strongly believes that the education offered by Peking University is an extraordinary investment for any future leader. Furthermore, he finds the professors both knowledgeable and patient, the staff professional and helpful, and the students full of potential. Adel expresses his hope that the school keeps improving and the alumni can work together more to facilitate the best study experience for our students.
Written by ZHENG Xinlan
Edit by MA Xiye, WANG Shunlun
