Peking University, September 3, 2026: On August 30 and 31, Peking University (PKU) welcomed more than 2,000 new international students from over 110 countries and regions to the Student Center for registration. Across campus, students were seen rolling suitcases, finding their way through the registration halls, and meeting new faces, while conversations in different languages filled the air. 

For some students, it was their first time in China; for others, a return to a country they already knew. Yet, despite the different paths that brought them to PKU, these first days offered a shared starting point: a new community, new possibilities, and a new beginning.



For Turkish student İpek Parlak, beginning her PhD in energy and resources engineering at PKU is a chance to grow both academically and personally. She describes herself as someone who enjoys adventures and learning Chinese is high on her list of priorities. 

Her first impression of PKU was: "It is too big." As she found her way around, however, it was the greenery and beautiful buildings that stayed with her. She has also found joy in some of the simplest parts of settling in China. "Everything that I tried is super duper delicious," she said of the food. And there is still much she hopes to discover, especially the temples across China, which she is particularly excited to visit.

Looking ahead, she hopes her time at PKU will allow her to deepen her academic knowledge while broadening her world through the people she meets along the way. For her, the beginning of a new academic chapter is also the beginning of a new community.



Rive Livingston, a new U.S. student from the School of Materials Science and Engineering, arrived at PKU carrying a different kind of ambition.

His connection to the university began before he had ever considered becoming a student here. Rive's grandfather studied meteorological physics at Peking University and later became a professor at Southwest University. He belonged to one of the university's earlier cohorts.

Now, generations later, Rive is beginning an academic journey of his own. He is looking forward to stepping beyond what is familiar, including the opportunity to do some of his work in Chinese rather than limiting himself to English-language programs. Outside the classroom, he hopes to make time for his love of film, perhaps by joining a film club, and is looking forward to exploring Xi'an as part of his journey through China.

When asked what he hopes to accomplish before graduation, his answer was simple: to produce research he can be proud of.



Joining PKU's International Business program marks a new chapter in Malaysian student Tan Sze Yin's academic career. She already completed her undergraduate degree at PKU and has lived in Beijing for four years. She now looks forward to events and academic conferences that will broaden her horizons.

Tan chose to continue her studies at PKU for the university's sterling reputation, quality of education, and diverse resources. She hopes to research Malaysia-China trade relations and contribute to the bilateral economic cooperation.

Her goal is to earn straight As, though she is going to have to adjust to a new and heavier course load. "First things first, I hope to survive my first semester, as I have a lot of courses!"



David, a new Yenching Scholar from Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, is pursuing a master's in China studies with a focus on economics and management. He sees PKU as a place to understand China's global role.

"I think Peking University has always been a sign of progress and modernity in China," he said, before expressing an interest in exploring how economies can prosper in an intercultural environment.

David hopes to bring this knowledge back to Mexico, where he looks forward to building partnerships and deepening China-Mexico relations. He sees PKU's partnerships with various stakeholders in the public and private sectors in Mexico as key to boosting mutual understanding between young people of the two countries.


For Camilo Leavi Blazquez, from La Plata, Argentina, arriving at Peking University to begin his IMPA (International Master of Public Administration) at the School of Government feels more like following a path he set out on years ago.

Before coming to PKU, Camilo served as director of civic participation in his city, where he worked to train the next generation of local leaders and encourage citizens to take a more active role in shaping their communities. That experience now shapes his ambition at PKU. "I want to understand how Global South cooperation and the relationship between Argentina and China could help another country in the Global South," he said in an interview with PKU News.

His connection with China, however, began back in 2018, when he started taking Chinese classes at the National University of La Plata. At the time, he had no idea where that interest would lead him. Nearly a decade later, it brought him to PKU.

Now, learning Chinese is one of his biggest goals, alongside joining the football club at PKU and exploring more of China, with Shanghai already on his September travel list.

For Mina Hrvoic, a Serbian first-year undergraduate student at Guanghua School of Management, coming to China feels more or less like coming home. The country is deeply woven into her family lore — her mother earned her PhD from Nanjing University and she spent a large part of her childhood here.

When asked why she chose PKU, Mina similarly mentioned the school's prestigious standing in the world, but she also emphasized its diverse, international campus community, which, she said, "offers students an incredible platform, and I believe I can grow and thrive here."

Another point of attraction is PKU's rich cultural heritage, shaped by its cosmopolitan environment and its role at pivotal moments in China's modern history. "It feels as though every corner has a story to tell," she said, "which makes me even more excited about the university life ahead."

Picturing a brand-new life experience, Mina was most excited about her classes, where she expected to debate and discuss ideas with classmates "instead of simply memorizing old theories from textbooks."

Samichhya Karki chose PKU with a specific goal in mind. Having previously worked on rural economies, she now wants to tackle contemporary rural inequality challenges with a "scientific spirit," and she decided that the rigorous and scholarly environment of the School of Economics was the best place to achieve her dreams. She looks forward to engaging herself in "in-depth research and case studies to gain hands-on experience in economic issues and policymaking."

Besides academics, Samichhya was also attracted to the seasonal climate in Beijing, preferring the drier air and snowy winters. As an expat who has lived her whole life in China, she has first-hand experience with the conveniences of everyday life in China, from online shopping to public bike-sharing. For her, China already felt like "a second home."

At PKU, she is excited to join the Fenglei Dance Crew, as she has a lifelong passion for pop dance. She views the dance club not only as an outlet for her passion, but also as an opportunity to "unite us through shared energy" and "grow the community."

As for her academic goals, she said she "hopes to achieve the ability to find my own place in such a rapidly evolving society, especially in a time where AI has become an integral part of our lives." Ultimately, she wants to find a place where her "passion and purpose align."

Interviewed and written by: Akaash Babar, Aishwarya Sapkota
Edited by: Chen Shizhuo
Photo by: Li Xianghua, Liu Yan, Guo Mengjiao, Wang Ziqian, Zhai Mengkun, Wang Lixuan, Zhao Xinmiao