Beginning in September 2025, I spent one semester as an EAA exchange student at Yuanpei College, Peking University. In this report, I will reflect on my personal growth and the insights gained during this period through three lenses: dormitory life, academic achievements, and extracurricular activities.

1.Purpose of Study Abroad
My objectives for this exchange were twofold. First, I wanted to experience student life at Peking University firsthand. As I plan to pursue graduate studies and am considering a double degree program with Peking University in the future, I saw this exchange as a vital opportunity to immerse myself in the actual classroom environment and campus atmosphere.
Second, I aimed to significantly improve my Chinese language proficiency. Chinese is my third language; although I had achieved HSK Level 5 through six months of self-study before departing, my learning had been heavily skewed toward test preparation. I had virtually no experience in face-to-face conversation. Therefore, I set a personal challenge to “communicate with local students in Chinese as much as possible” and headed to Beijing with firm resolve.

2.Dormitory Life
Through the EAA exchange program, I lived in a university dormitory, sharing a room with three Chinese students from Yuanpei College. I was assigned the top bunk. Initially, I was anxious about whether I would get along with my roommates, but they welcomed me warmly despite my then-limited Chinese.
What struck me most was their extraordinary diligence, often working on experiments and assignments until late at night. One of my roommates, only a sophomore, once remarked: “The university entrance exams were easy because the scope was defined. Now, there is an infinite amount to learn, and there simply isn’t enough time.” Her words had a profound impact on me.
Inspired by their attitude, I overhauled my own lifestyle. I made it a daily routine to wake up at 7:00 AM and study in the dormitory’s self-study lounge. As a result of this disciplined lifestyle, toward the end of the semester, my roommates told me, “Your Chinese has improved so much! You’ve become a true ‘学覇’ (academic overachiever).” Having my daily efforts recognized by those closest to me gave me a great deal of confidence.

3.Academic Achievements
One of my major academic milestones was participating in the International Student Chinese Speech Contest. By writing a script on the theme of “Artificial Intelligence and Multicultural Symbiosis” and practicing my pronunciation rigorously, I not only improved my composition skills but also deepened my understanding of China’s advancements in robotics and drone technology.

Additionally, the “English News” course I took at the School of Journalism and Communication left a lasting impression. For our group project, we were tasked with creating a video on “International Exchange.” I was the only international student in my group, and all discussions were conducted in Chinese. While I was initially overwhelmed by the fast-paced conversation, I set a goal to “speak up at least once every class.” Gradually, I increased my contributions. Through this challenge, I felt a significant improvement in both my listening and speaking skills.

4.Extracurricular Activities
Once I gained more confidence in my conversational abilities in November, I began actively participating in extracurricular activities. I joined a language exchange event organized by the Student Union of the School of Foreign Languages, where I explored famous sites around Beijing with a partner over four weeks. I also participated in field trips organized by the Peking University Student Union, visiting locations such as the “北京十号线青创村” and the “中国电影博物馆.”
These activities allowed me to build friendships beyond the classroom and dormitory, further increasing my opportunities to use Chinese. I realized the importance of stepping outside my comfort zone precisely because of the initial language barrier. I strongly encourage future exchange students to find the courage to dive into extracurricular activities.

Conclusion
Balancing my exchange program while simultaneously writing my undergraduate thesis made for an incredibly intense and productive time. This experience has solidified my determination to return to Peking University during my graduate studies. This exchange was not an end, but rather a temporary farewell. I will continue my studies with the goal of one day returning to Peking University.