Hopkins-Nanjing Center Blog

One of the wonderful things about the Hopkins-Nanjing Center is that there are many opportunities to connect with professionals whose occupations revolve around China. Hailey McGleam 刘霖 (MAIS '23) has had the pleasure of organizing many of these visits. Since the end of the pandemic, those with career interests in China have returned to the mainland in fervor to catch up on lost time. Within the first two months of the academic year, we have had the opportunity to host several sessions of individuals involved in China policy and analysis in the U.S.  U.S. Shanghai Consul General Visit to HNC In early October, we had a visit from Scott Walker, the new U.S. Shanghai Consul General who has decades of experience in China. As this was a high-level official visit with some of his delegation members, former and current Banwei attended a personal discussion with Mr. Walker. This also highlights the importance of getting involved in student government roles at the HNC. The overall topic was...

Two months into living at the HNC, student blogger and Certificate+MAIR ‘25 candidate Sam Trizza shares his thoughts on a few things he wants prospective students to know about as they consider/prepare coming to the HNC.  Visa Process The process of obtaining an international student visa for China can change a bit year to year and different Chinese consulates around the US can have different document requirements and visa processes. Since I was away from home for the summer before the Fall 2023 arrival at the HNC, this had me a little stressed out, so I want to provide you (a prospective student) an overview of how this process was for me and some considerations. When you’re admitted to the HNC, you can create a group chat with other admitted students to advise each other and ask questions on the visa process. And of course, the HNC staff are there to help via email. Plus, there is an HNC-provided guide on how to apply for the visa. I decided to apply for the visa in-person throug...

Each year several students share their HNC experience on this blog, ranging in topics from their studies to their travels, and study tips to community member profiles. This year these three students below will be a window into the HNC with their photos and stories. Let’s meet them! Sam Trizza Sam Trizza Oklahoma, USA Certificate + MAIR ‘25 Savannah Glaves Kansas, USA  MAIS ‘25 Eric Omorogieva Maryland, USA Certificate + MAIR ‘25 How did you become interested in China? Sam: I started my Chinese studies in 2012 and visited China on student exchange shortly thereafter. With that trip, I was hooked. At that time, I was so interested in China because it felt like Mars. What I mean by that is it was so different than anything I had ever known. As I’ve studied China over the years, I realize my analogy holds true in some areas and has faults in others. I continued my Chinese studies in college, but took a few years off of study to work, but went to Middlebury Language Schools this summer ...

The Hopkins-Nanjing Center is fortunate to be located in one of China's most richly historical cities, with important sites in several dynasties and in modern Chinese history. Student Blogger Eric Omorogieva takes us on a tour of his favorite historical spots around Nanjing! One of the advantages of living and studying in Nanjing is the proximity to a sea of beautiful landmarks, museums, and the unique nature that surrounds the city. The city and its thousands of years of stories, whether inspiring, happy, or tragic, serve as an important marker throughout Chinese history for its status as the capital of several dynasties and the birthplace of China’s first republic. For those eager to explore the roots of a city, like me, your time in Nanjing will be filled with exciting opportunities to discover. Here I will introduce five of Nanjing’s many prominent locations that are worth visiting. HNC students on a Purple Mountain hike Purple Mountain (紫金山) Many current HNC Students are famil...

This semester, with the Hopkins-Nanjing Center fully back in-person for the first time in three years, many interest groups are back to their pre-pandemic activities and many new ones have sprouted, like the Public Speaking Club, Ping Pong Class, the Hogwarts Games, food and milk tea groups, and even the student-run coffee shop in the HNC student lounge. Below are a few highlighted groups. Public Speaking Club (Toastmasters) If you've never heard of Toastmasters, I'd encourage anyone to try it out! It's a worldwide organization with more than 10,000 clubs, including 100 in China and 20 in Nanjing. The Toastmasters meeting format includes table topic discussions, two speeches, evaluations, and other activities that provide participants an encouraging environment to practice their public speaking on all topics. In the HNC club, the Chinese students use English while the international use Chinese. We always discuss topics relating to culture, history, and international relatio...

September 29 through October 6 was this year’s Golden Week in China. Students had off-time from class to work on theses, sightsee in Nanjing, or travel. For Golden Week 2023, Sam Trizza, his roommate Jack 周峰 , Brock Mullen, and Sam Parmer took a road trip through nearby provinces, visiting ancient towns and rural areas.   Before I arrived at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center, I was recommended a book by Peter Hessler called Country Driving: A Journey Through China from Farm to Factory . I picked it up at the HNC library and, with my roommate Jack’s overwhelming kindness, we planned a road trip through Jiangsu 江苏 , Zhejiang 浙江 , and Anhui 安徽 ––a circle around Taihu Lake––for Golden Week. Here are notes from our journey:   Day 1: We left Nanjing for the Number #1 Road 一号公路 in Yixing, Jiangsu to have lunch with one of Jack’s students and her family. Besides being an HNC student, Jack is primarily an English teacher helping students focus on their oratory skills. Yoyo (10), Andrew (7),...