Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences students travel to China for summer school experience

Students from the Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences have enjoyed a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity to experience some of China’s cultural history thanks to an international summer school.

Seven students from HASS took part in Tsinghua University’s International Summer School, hosted by its Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures.

Exeter students made up more than half of the cohort, who spent two weeks visiting cultural sites in and around Beijing and meeting with their Chinese counterparts.

“My experience at Tsinghua University in Beijing was a transformative journey of cultural immersion, learning, and friendship,” said Emilia Knevett, who is studying History at Exeter. “Our cultural studies and excursions, encompassing culture, art, and history, provided profound insights into the rich tapestry of Chinese heritage and its interactions with the rest of the world.

“However, what made the experience truly unforgettable were the friendships forged with students from Tsinghua University. These friendships provided a deeper understanding of Chinese life and hospitality, making our stay not just an educational trip but a heartfelt journey of personal growth. Leaving Beijing, I carried back not only knowledge and memories but also lifelong friends.”

Another Exeter student, Will Botley, found the experience transformative: “Studying history and seeing some of the sites we visited has really opened my eyes up to potentially going into a specialised part of history, especially regarding my dissertation,” he said.

And student Flynn Nightingale-Jones added: “My experience was truly amazing: wonderous sights, divine cuisine, eye-opening culture shocks; a deeply impactful adventure made what it was by the incessant brilliance of our volunteer chaperones. I thank both the University of Exeter and Tsinghua University for affording me this once-in-a-generation opportunity.”

Alongside the seven Exeter representatives, students from Germany and Malaysia also attended the summer school. During the closing ceremony, Lu Xiaojie, Deputy Director of the International Office of Tsinghua University, thanked all of them for coming to participate, saying it brought opportunities for Chinese and foreign students to understand each other and broaden their horizons”.

She congratulated the students on their achievements in the summer school and hoped that they would continue to “jointly contribute to building a more harmonious and inclusive world”.

Prof Li Li, Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor (Global) in HASS, said: “Exeter and Tsinghua have always been good partners and have been committed to providing opportunities for young people and researchers to work together for many years. Currently, the world is facing many challenges such as climate change, hunger, and regional conflicts, but education has always been an important force in changing the world.”