On the bright sunny morning of August 15, 2016, Peking University HSBC Business School (PHBS) 2016 graduate students started arriving at the Campus Service Center to complete the registration process. Student volunteers and faculty members assembled early and welcomed new students with friendly smiles and firm handshakes. Wearing PKU T-shirts, volunteers were well prepared to answer questions, give advice and offer help. Some new students also helped out and started getting acquainted with each other.
International students consult volunteers on registration steps
As one of the most entrepreneurial business schools in China, PHBS requires new students to participate in a week long “military” type training right (except for international students) before the new term begins. At 7 p.m. in the PHBS auditorium the 270 new students dressed in uniform attended the mobilization meeting.
Dean Hai Wen give remarks on the meeting
PHBS Dean Hai Wen addressed the audience and pointed out that as a student from PHBS, it’s important to enhance your comprehensive development of ability, wisdom, physique, and morality since the goal of Peking University is to cultivate leaders for China and the world. “The compulsory military training is a vital part of PHBS cultivation objectives. Not only can it help us build up our body, but it also helps cultivate leadership, perseverance and team spirit. I hope all the 2016 students will strictly follow the discipline in the training and conquer the upcoming challenges with a positive attitude.”
Though a young institution, having celebrated its 10 year anniversary in 2014, PHBS has set its sights on world-wide recognition. As Dean Hai put it, “A simple standard for a world-class business school is whether it can attract the best faculty and the best students worldwide.” The past few years have witnessed an increasing number of international students admitted to PHBS, and nearly half the school’s faculty are international. Further, many Chinese faculty earned their advanced degrees from international universities.
Vicky, a Chinese who emigrated to America when she was 15, has been in Shenzhen since 2014. She will spend the next two years here focusing on finance. When asked what she hoped to achieve at PHBS, Vicky said, “I see China as an opportunity, and I want to get a better understanding of China.”
For most of the international students, however, it’s their first time in China. Henry from New Zealand said that during his two years in China he plans to explore the country’s natural beauty.
Anna, a Russian exchange student, was also unfamiliar with China before she came to PHBS. She had previously studied in Germany and will stay in China for 5 months. She said that her first impression of the country is that people here are very friendly.
Thomas, a 22 year-old German, said that he appreciates the opportunity to study in China’s most prestigious university. “This is the first time for me to come to Shenzhen, and I fell in love with this city instantly. I’m really looking forward to the life here, especially the Spring Festival,” he added with excitement.
This semester, a total of 42 exchange students and 46 full-time international students, and 3 full-time MBA students have enrolled for PHBS programs. With international students at PHBS, all students on campus will benefit from the diversity and have the chance to view the world with broad vision and an open mind.
By Fabio Deng
Edited by Priscilla Young and Annie Jin
