I was drawn to the program because of how unique it was. First, the program is taught entirely in Chinese but targeted at international students. From a content perspective, Chinese professors are teaching topics on international relations that are of interest to international students. These factors allow one to learn Chinese perspectives in the Chinese language, an important way to study China. In contrast, other degree programs in China for international students are typically taught in English.
Furthermore, HNC students come from
various parts of the world and the programme is designed such that all students
have to live, eat, and breathe together in one place. This creates a very
close-knit community, where people from different backgrounds learn to
interact, co-exist and form deeper and meaningful relationships with one
another. If an American student has to learn how to negotiate with a Chinese
student (i.e., their roommate) in Chinese/English on when to use the bathroom
every day, surely there is no global cross-cultural challenge that cannot be
overcome!
You completed most of your Certificate-MAIR degree
without coming to campus in Nanjing due to Covid travel restrictions. How was this experience, and what
allowed you to stay connected to the HNC community? I heard you were able
to visit campus multiple times since graduation!
I was a student with the HNC for the 2022-2023 academic year, but didn’t come to campus until late in my second semester (June
2023). I spent the first semester based in Taipei. At that time, China hadn’t opened
its borders fully, and many international students chose to be based in Taipei
while taking HNC classes online. It was different from we would have
experienced at HNC, and while the experience was useful, most of us were eager
to travel to Nanjing as soon as possible.
Getting to China, however, posed a significant
challenge. At that time, the process involved complicated visa applications,
COVID tests, and even extended quarantine. Hence, for my second semester, due
to the ongoing uncertainties of travelling to China, I took up an internship
with Brunswick Group, a global strategic communications consultancy, in Dubai.
I was also enrolled in four classes, and did a capstone project, while interning
full-time. Needless to say, it was a fulfilling but exhausting experience — imagine
waking up early for class at 4am due to the time difference and then going to
work once class ended around 7.30am.
While in Dubai, I followed the situation in China
closely, and was hoping China could open its borders sooner rather than later. To
recap, I had been trying to visit China since I applied for this programme in
late-2019. I felt that my experience as a HNC student, and my education on
China, would not be complete without being at the HNC in-person.
In February 2023, I went to the China visa application
center in Dubai to apply for a Chinese tourist visa, but they informed me that
I could only apply in my home country (Singapore). [Note: Typically, Singapore
and China have a visa exemption arrangement. However, this was suspended during
the pandemic.] Unfortunately, I had no plans to return to Singapore just to
apply for a visa. So, I reached out to then-HNC Chinese Co-Director Cong Cong as
a last resort and asked if she could help. Miraculously, she found a way to do
so, which involved an extensive chain of “guanxi”, and some luck of course, and
she successfully facilitated the process for me to secure a 30-day visa!
I immediately booked my plane tickets to Nanjing and
arrived 12 days before my graduation ceremony at the HNC. Even when I was in
the air, I refused to believe I could enter China until I crossed the border in
Shanghai. Thankfully, I had no troubles entering and travelling to Nanjing! I
was able to finally meet professors and classmates in-person whom I had only
known online. The 12 days felt like a whirlwind, as I tried to pack a year’s
worth of missed experiences into 12 days. I forged many deep friendships and
got a real sense of what being a student at the HNC in-person was like. I found
a wonderful school community that I could call a home away from home, and when
I was leaving campus after graduation, I felt sadness at having to leave this
chapter behind.
Since then, I’ve returned to the HNC multiple times as
an alumnus. Beyond staying connected with the community, part of me still hopes
to make up for the “lost time” in China. I usually dovetail every China trip
with a visit to a new city, and to the HNC. Each visit feels significant
because I get to know more people at the HNC and reconnect with old friends and
professors, while continuing my journey of learning about China. Most recently,
I attended a HNC classmate’s wedding in Changshu city. Serendipitously, we know
each other well only because of the 12 days I got to spend at the HNC. Till
today, I have a deep sense of connection and appreciation for the center and
its community, and appreciate very much that alumni are warmly welcomed back.
What was the most impactful class you
took during your time with HNC?
There were two classes that had a significant
impact on me:
First, Chinese Government and Politics with Professor
Qilingling, who is no longer teaching at the HNC. This course offered a Chinese
perspective on China’s political system, one that you cannot get from English
or Western media sources. We had engaging discussions on myriad topics, such as
how the understanding and design of democracy is different from country to
country, as well as an introduction to the roles of the party, state, and civil
society in China.
Second, Islamic Fundamentalism with
Professor Caijiahe (also no longer teaching at the HNC). This course covered
various fundamentalist movements, trends, and groups around the world,
including topics like the rise and fall of ISIS, terrorism in Southeast Asia,
and the foundations of extremist ideologies. It gave me a valuable Chinese
perspective on these issues, including understanding China’s unique security
concerns and needs.
If you were involved in any
extracurricular activities, could you please tell us about that?
The HNC organized a trek to
Singapore and Vietnam in my first semester, and which I participated in and
helped facilitate some of the program elements. I was able to play host to
classmates in Singapore, and when we visited Vietnam, it was my Vietnamese
classmate’s turn. I was even able to meet some of the International and Chinese
students on this trip for the first time in-person. My favorite part of the
trip was taking a boat ride along the Mekong river, as we discussed the
interconnectedness of China and Southeast Asia.
Was there a defining experience at the
HNC that influenced steps you later took in your career or
plan to take?
My three key takeaways from my time
at the HNC are as follows:
- A deeper understanding of International Relations.
- A more nuanced insight into China.
- A broader understanding of other regions such as the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
First and foremost, the HNC sparked
my deep interest in International Relations and made me realize that this was
something I wanted to pursue for a significant part of my career. I was excited
by global affairs, including technological developments, climate change, and
US-China relations and knew I wanted to work on these issues. When I started my
professional career, I quickly recognized how much the HNC had contributed to
my understanding of these global issues. The program provided invaluable diverse
perspectives on these topics, sharpened my thinking, and reminded me that there
are many perspectives that we need to listen to. The pressing work of shaping a
more stable and peaceful world begins with learning to understand perspectives
outside of your own.
The HNC gave me a deeper understanding of China—its long
history, complex government structures, and its views of the world. These were
perspectives I hadn't received enough of during my English-language education
and which will always be invaluable in my career. Moreover, my time at the HNC
helped me gain a broader understanding of other regions. I gained more insight
into Southeast Asia, particularly from a Chinese perspective, and got to know
the Middle East better through the experiences and knowledge of classmates,
professors, and coursework. I remember doing a class presentation on
China-Middle East relations in the first semester, and then in the next
semester, I was tasked by Brunswick Group to give a presentation to the entire
office on the China brokered Saudi-Iran deal that had just stunned everyone in
the region. Thank goodness the HNC prepared me well.
What advice would you give to current or
future HNC students about maximizing their experience at HNC and launching
their careers after SAIS?
While you’re at the HNC, don’t lose sight of the
learning experience. For me, it was not only about trying to achieve excellence
by getting A’s or doing perfect assignments; it was more about pursuing
self-growth and maximizing the opportunities for personal and professional
development. For example, professors offer office hours regularly. Even on days
when I didn’t have specific questions on my assignments, I’d go and chat with
them on broader topics. These conversations were always valuable—it helped
sharpen my thinking and gave me new perspectives on various issues. When it came
to assignments, it was always tempting to take the easier route, like
translating readings directly into English, especially when the workload piled
up. However, I did my best to remind myself constantly that every shortcut I
took was a missed opportunity to learn and stretch. To the extent that your
mental and physical well-being permits, I encourage students to step out of
their comfort zones and explore experiences, assignments, or topics that are
new and unfamiliar. Real growth often comes from taking the harder path in a
way that is sustainable for yourself.
Finally, use your time at the HNC to understand yourself.
Be intentional about seeking greater self-understanding—academically,
professionally and personally. This is a time where you can make mistakes with
little consequence, make radical choices with a spirit of experimentation, and
make lifelong friendships with much to gain. Use the experience at the HNC to
discover new interests and uncover new things about yourself, including what
you’re good at and where you can improve in. You will eventually rely on that
self-awareness to guide your career choices and the industries you want to enter,
as well as in your personal life. There will inevitably be obstacles/realities
you have to confront in the outside world, but internal clarity is always a
reliable compass and source of strength no matter where you go.
