Charlie LYONS JONES

Student of The University of Melbourne, Australia
Exchange to Peking University, China

Reflections on Peking University

At first, the decision to study Chinese seemed quite random. While I was travelling in South America during my gap year, I picked up The Search for Modern China by Jonathan D. Spence and could not put it down. After finishing the book, I thought to myself, "Chinese history is interesting and I like learning foreign languages, why don't I study Chinese?" Based on nothing more than this very brief assessment of my interests, I decided to enrol in a Bachelor of Arts programme with a major in Chinese at The University of Melbourne.

From that moment on, most of my undergraduate studies had been devoted to learning the Chinese language and studying Chinese history. In that sense, the decision to study at Peking University ("PKU") was very deliberate. Indeed, PKU is one of China's premier institutes for research in the humanities and has a reputable Chinese language programme which attracts students from all over the world.

To say the time I spent at PKU was beneficial merely to my studies would be an understatement. While studying there I had the opportunity to meet the eminent scholar of Confucian philosophy Professor Tu Weiming and completed a subject on Chinese cultural history taught entirely in Chinese. It would be safe to say that the time I spent at PKU was formative in helping me develop a deeper understanding of Chinese culture.

The benefits of studying at PKU were also professional. Through initiatives such as the Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Awards and the New Colombo Plan, PKU is now home to a number of Australian students who want to learn more about our country's Asian neighbours.

Along with other Australian students at PKU, I joined the Future Business Leaders programme run by the Australia-China Chamber of Commerce. This was great for learning more about the vibrant Australian business community in China. Furthermore, the intensive programme in Chinese at PKU was incredibly beneficial in preparing me for an internship I completed at the Australian Trade and Investment Commission's office at the Australian Embassy in Beijing. Without learning as much Chinese as I did at PKU, I would not have been able to make the most of this valuable internship at a key Australian diplomatic mission.

All in all, the nine months I spent in China was great for making new friends, learning Chinese and developing professional networks. It is an experience I will cherish. I thank the Australian Government and Cheung Kong Group for supporting the Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Awards. I encourage students from The University of Melbourne to go on exchange to PKU... it might end up being one of the best years of your lives!

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