On February 16, the International Cultural Exchange School (ICES) of Fudan University welcomed a vibrant new cohort of students from around the globe at the school’s opening ceremony for 2025 spring semester.
Each student brings unique aspirations and stories, united by their shared goal of mastering the Chinese language and immersing themselves in Shanghai’s dynamic culture.
Here’s what some of them had to say about their journey ahead:
(1st on the left)
Munkh-Orgil (Mongolia):
“I just graduated from high school and chose Fudan to study Chinese as it aligns with my future ambitions. I’ll be here for one semester, and my goal is simple: to become fluent in Chinese.”
Pham Nguyen Mai Anh (Vietnam):
“I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Communication from RMIT University and was drawn to Fudan because of its reputation and Shanghai’s allure. Over the next year, I hope to improve my Chinese, master calligraphy, achieve HSK Level 4 or 5, and, of course, explore the city’s incredible food scene!”
Kieran Law (Malaysia):
“After studying at the University of Melbourne, I came to Fudan to learn Chinese for two reasons: its growing importance in global business and my desire to reconnect with my Chinese heritage. I hope this program helps me master the language and deepen my understanding of Chinese culture.”
(1st on the right)
Abdelrahman Amr Elprince (Egypt):
“I recently completed my bachelor’s degree and chose Fudan because it offers an excellent environment for learning Chinese. I plan to stay as long as possible—Shanghai is an amazing city! My goals are to improve my conversational skills, make Chinese friends, and pass the HSK 4 exam by the end of the year.”
Beatrice Kalliokoski (Finland):
“I’m currently pursuing a master’s in economics and have lived in six countries so far. After an exchange program in Shanghai, I decided to stay and continue learning Chinese. My aim is to achieve fluency by the end of the year and potentially settle here long-term.”
As these students embark on their academic journey, they carry with them not only personal ambitions but also the promise of cultural exchange and mutual understanding. Here’s to an exciting and successful semester ahead—let’s make it count!
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Presented by Fudan University Media Center
Writer/Photographer: TAN Yuyan
Editor: WANG Mengqi, LI Yijie
