As part of our YCA Story series, we interviewed Ailsa Brown (2022 Cohort) to gain insight into her studies and other activities she has been engaged in since arriving at Yenching Academy of Peking University.

Ailsa, originally from a small town in Scotland, moved to Tianjin when she was 18 to pursue her passion for studying Chinese. Her year studying at Tianjin Foreign Studies University led her to continue her passion for learning the Chinese language and culture at the University of Oxford, where she graduated with a degree in Chinese Studies in 2022. As an undergrad, she had the opportunity to study abroad at Peking University before the pandemic.

Below is the transcript of our conversation with Ailsa.

1. Why did you join Yenching Academy, and what are you studying?

I first heard about Yenching while studying at Peking University in 2019 on exchange. I met several Yenching Scholars who were super optimistic about the programme. Their attitude towards to programme stuck with me, and when I got to my final year of university, I decided to apply.

I thought the programme was a good fit for me – I had just graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in Chinese Studies, and I was unsure about what area of work or study I wanted to go into next. The programme’s flexibility at Yenching means I can choose any course at PKU or the Academy and try different things. Also, the possibility of pursuing my interests, including gaining work experience in the second year, appealed to me. And finally, of course, returning to Beijing was one of the biggest attractions – I had to leave Beijing suddenly in 2020 due to the pandemic, and I always knew I wanted to return to China to live, study, and work after undergrad.

I am studying in Yenching Academy’s Law and Society track. Now that I am here, I am focused on my studies and exploring the campus and city. (I try to keep this a secret!) My favourite place to study on campus is the Guanghua coffee shop – my favourite since 2019. However, I have found more study spots this year – I also like 二教 erjiao, 理教 lijiao, and the Yenching library! Although Mellower has the best coffee on campus.

2. What aspect(s) of Yenching Academy fascinates you the most since enrolling?

I have been amazed at the high sense of community among Yenching students. I expected a programme such as Yenching would attract extremely work-orientated students who study a lot. While this is true, this does not come at the expense of people being friendly, willing to attend events, and supportive. There is probably a society for almost everything at YCA: Volleyball, Thai language, meditation, and running, among others. I personally run the knitting club!

Christmas time was challenging as it was the first time I had had Christmas away from my parents. But some students and I organised Christmas Day events, and everyone attended! We did a gift exchange, went ice skating on the infamous 未名湖 Weiming Lake and had dinner and drinks together. It was a highlight of last semester. Also, recently some Yenching Scholars and I attended a traditional Scottish dance in Beijing (a ceilidh) this semester. It was amazing to share some of my cultures with other Yenching Scholars, and they were genuinely interested in learning and having fun at the time.

3. You recently completed your first semester at the Academy. How would you describe the experience so far compared with the expectations you had in mind when you started last year?

When I first signed up for Yenching, I thought most of my experience would be online. When visas first opened up for students, I was so excited, although I was nervous to say goodbye to my family and friends, not knowing when I would return home during the two-year programme. It was amazing to be back in Beijing after three years and to meet all the Yenching Scholars. Although living through the covid restrictions was a huge challenge last semester, the situation is better now.

Moreover, I mainly took law courses at Yenching and the Peking University Law School last semester. It was interesting to get an overview of Chinese law from different fields of law: civil, criminal, and constitutional. I enjoyed the Legal Dynamics of Chinese Commerce and Society, where I had the opportunity to research the use of the constitution in cases relating to filial piety for my final paper. I hope to continue with this topic for my thesis.

4. How did you spend the last winter holiday? Did you visit any city within or outside China during the break?

I was fortunate enough to travel to many places in China during the winter holiday. I first spent Chinese New Year with Yenching friends in Nanning in Guangxi; it was an amazing feeling to experience a Nanning new year celebration! Then I travelled to the beach in Beihai, Guangxi, and the mountains in Xianggelila, Yunnan. Afterwards, I went to Shaxi, Yunnan, now my favourite place in China! It is a small ancient town with a super relaxing vibe, and nearby there are perfectly preserved Buddhist carvings. Finally, I travelled to Taishan in Shandong to get some good luck before the semester started!

5. Aside from studying at YCA, what other projects or activities are you engaged in?

One of the best things about Yenching is having time to do many extracurricular activities. I am the Director of Academic Affairs for the Graduate Student Union and part of a research group for the Dean’s Research Grant; we are researching youth career development policies in six countries. I am also a member of the Peking University rowing team. Meeting other PKU students and training in the Olympic rowing park has been a fantastic experience! I am looking forward to being able to attend more competitions in different cities this semester.

6. What are your plans and/or expectations for the second semester at Yenching Academy?

There are so many things happening this semester! We have the opportunity to travel to many places: Yan’an for the China in Transition (CiT) Spring semester research, Hainan for the 2023 Yenching Global Symposium (YGS), and Sichuan and Chongqing for the Yenching field trip. Also, I look forward to travelling for competitions for the rowing team.

Academically, this semester will be challenging, but I am already enjoying it. I am taking all my elective courses in Chinese: Chinese Politics in a Historical Perspective, One Country Two Systems and the Reunification Model, and Academic Writing. I have really enjoyed these courses, and it has been exciting to stretch my Chinese level and study courses in Chinese.

7. How would you describe your personal/professional improvements since joining Yenching Academy?

Before coming to Yenching, I thought there would be little opportunity to practice and use Chinese as most of the programme is taught in English. However, I found that the programme has been great for me to practice and advance my Chinese proficiency. Firstly, there are many opportunities to practice Chinese: all of the work I do for the GSU is conducted in Chinese; most of my teammates on the rowing team are Chinese; we live with Chinese students in our dorms in Shaoyuan; and I am taking courses in Chinese this semester. I think it has helped my confidence in my language: all of the students and staff at Yenching are super talented and speak excellent English. However, I have found myself, several times, having to choose to use Chinese even if everyone speaks English. This has been great for my confidence.

8. What clubs, student organisations or extracurricular activities at Yenching Academy and/or Peking University would you recommend to incoming Scholars?

I would say to incoming Scholars that there is probably a club or society for your hobby or interest at PKU or Yenching – so join it! I mentioned earlier that I run the knitting club and participate in the PKU rowing team. If there isn’t a society yet, make one. All the Scholars at Yenching are super willing to try new things.