01 Why DKU?
I clearly remember the first time I came to DKU to attend the campus day. I attended an open class that combined environmental studies and art. That class made me realized that learning could be so interesting and interdisciplinary. I was completely attracted by DKU’s liberal arts education because it allowed me to cross the boundaries of different disciplines and freely explore my interests. After entering DKU, just like the apprentices in “Harry Potter” who first discovered their magical abilities, I also gradually discovered new things and found my direction.
02 Stories About My Major And Me
I have always been interested in Behavioral Economics and Political Science, so I took basic Economics courses, Contemporary Political Ideology courses, and Psychology courses in my freshman year. Through constant discussions with the professors of each course on the course material and related topics, I finally chose International Political Economy as my major. In addition, thanks to DKU’s flexible course selection system, I also continue to take Psychology courses that I am interested in and continue to learn about Behavioral Science. Interdisciplinary learning and practice also helped me get the offer of Cornell University’s Master of Applied Economics and Management, with a focus on Behavioral Finance.
03 Magical Cross-Cultural Entrepreneurship Practice
When I came to Duke University to study on January 2, 2022, I never expected that I would set off an entrepreneurial whirlwind with six other enthusiastic partners and generate more than $10,000 in revenue in just four months.
By chance, I met a football player who not only showed excellent skills in the game but was also a talented painter. We discovered the potential of the student art market, so we resolutely founded CODE919, an online platform dedicated to selling student artworks.
After many screenings and hard work, we finally found six outstanding artists and prepared to launch the first batch of artworks in the form of auctions by taking advantage of the craze of the basketball carnival. The final effect exceeded expectations. All the works were sold out instantly after they were launched, creating considerable value. CODE919 quickly became a hot topic on campus, attracting more artists and buyers. Our business is booming, and new artworks are being released on our platform every day.
This experience made me realize that entrepreneurship is not just about pursuing profits, but also about passion and adventure. As for our entrepreneurial team, although everyone comes from different nations, we are united, each doing their own job with a common pursuit: Excellence. By motivating each other, we finally succeeded in turning CODE919 into a dynamic and creative platform.
Entrepreneurship project CODE919 website
04 Significant Leadership Practice
The most beneficial thing about DKU is her interesting classes. In the first Psychology class I took, we combined Eastern and Western philosophical theories to explore how mindfulness therapy can deal with anxiety, mental health problems and medical diseases. Professor William O’Brien, who taught the class, has a very deep professional knowledge in mindfulness therapy and pays great attention to cross-cultural perspectives. He combineD Eastern and Western theories and practices, allowing us to understand and apply psychology from a more comprehensive perspective. We also took a class on the lawn on campus to feel the help of nature in changing our mood. This class left a particularly deep impression on me, not only because the content was fascinating, but also because Professor O’Brien gave me a lot of help. I learned the depth and breadth of knowledge from his teaching, which is also a common feature of DKU classes.
Photo with Professor O’Brien
Like Professor O’Brien, Professor Cui Jingbo also had a huge impact on my DKU life. He is not only my academic Advisor, but also my Signature Work Mentor. I met Professor Cui in the Python study group he organized. Every week, he would take time out to explore with a group of students who were interested in learning new skills.
When I first started to conceive the Signature Work, it was Professor Cui who pointed out my interest in the environment and climate change. Under his guidance, my thinking gradually broadened, and I finally decided to approach it from the perspective of enterprises, studying the relationship between the commitment of Fortune 500 companies to climate change and their profits, and exploring how new companies can achieve a win-win situation for the environment and profits. Professor Cui also often shared with me new research results in related fields, which also aroused my strong interest in the ESG track.
In my opinion, the SW is like the final assessment of the magic school. I am very glad that I like the apprentices who took the assessment, can successfully cross this milestone under the companionship, guidance and witness of a good Professor. I am very grateful for Professor Cui’s guidance. He pays attention to my academic growth, and also focuses on cultivating my creativity and problem-solving ability. I believe that the “magic” learned from him will continue to help my future academic path and benefit me for life.
05 Colorful Extracurricular Life
Every moment in the DKU Street Dance Club is the most dazzling memory of my four years. As a second undergraduate of DKU, I have the honor to witness the transformation of the school’s street dance club from zero to one-from the initial group of street dance enthusiasts who gathered together because of pure love, to now gradually developing into a large family with rich dance styles and strong cohesion, and being invited by on-campus clubs, art festivals and other universities outside to participate in various performances. I gained an all-round improvement in my personal dance aesthetics and skills, and also made friends with those who have been promoted from dance partners to comrades. We have honed our skills together, surpassed ourselves together, and created eye-catching stage performances together.
Dancing has made me deeply appreciate the power of passion: it turns out that when you really like to do something, you will spare no effort and take the initiative to think about how to make yourself and your organization more professional and how to make what you are doing have a more far-reaching impact. Just like Teacher Yangjie who opened various dance courses for DKU students, and the seniors who first founded the street dance club, and we who continue to persist on this road. Thank you to the street dance club for giving me endless laughter, friendship and growth, I will always cherish this unforgettable experience.
Street dance performance
06 Suggestions To Fellow Students
DKU has a lot of resources, seizing the opportunity will definitely be rewarding:
whether it is one-on-one communication with professors or participating in seminars on and off campus, as long as you are brave enough to try, every opportunity can take us on a new adventure, and there will always be hidden Easter eggs waiting for us to uncover.
DKU has created enough room for error for us. Whether it is trying in academic or life or entertainment, we can let go and do it. In the diverse and inclusive community of DKU, everyone can find their own place.
I hope everybody at DKU can boldly embrace the spirit of exploration, bravely try like Harry Potter, and turn every experience into a valuable asset.
Translated and Edited by Zhenyu Tian, Class of 2027
