Editor's note: As green leaves and colorful flowers once again adorn the shores of the Weiming Lake, Peking University (PKU) is heralding a brand-new graduation season, punctuated by the ubiquitous sight of caps and gowns. With graduation comes a moment of reflection, a look back at the cherished memories. In this series, international students of the class of 2026 share their stories of growth and learning, as they gear up for a new chapter in their lives.

Peking University, June 22, 2026: Growing up among the lush green mountains of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan, I never imagined that one day I would walk the halls of Peking University, China's most prestigious institution. Today, as I prepare to graduate from the School of Earth and Space Sciences, I look back on a journey made possible by the Chinese Government Scholarship and the life-changing opportunities I found at PKU.

Peking University gave me far more than advanced laboratories and research opportunities. It offered a space to grow, to question, and to contribute. Whether studying ancient rocks in Inner Mongolia, working late nights in the lab, cycling under the stars, or sitting quietly with coffee beside the Weiming Lake, every moment was both a challenge and a cherished memory.



Yet my transformation was not solely academic. Sharing a campus with students from over 130 nations, I experienced a true cultural mosaic. Before coming to China, my views were shaped by biased media narratives. Living here changed everything. Today, I have countless reasons to present a more truthful picture of China, from its equal educational opportunities and environmental efforts to its policies of poverty alleviation, meritocracy, and its remarkable balance between preserving history and embracing modernization.

I have traveled widely across China, leaving my footprints in Inner Mongolia, Dunhuang, Guangzhou, Nanjing, and Tianjin. China's global role has also impressed me, from the Belt and Road Initiative to its environmental diplomacy, balancing rapid development with ecological responsibility.

Graduating from Peking University is not an end but a beginning. My PhD journey reshaped my worldview and equipped me to contribute meaningfully to science and society.



My family is the bedrock of this achievement. To my mother and father for a lifetime of love, to my siblings for their constant support, and to my beloved wife Jawaria Jawad and my children Yahya and Nuseibah, we paid the price for this degree together. Your smiles across a video call brightened the longest nights of experiments. We all earned this degree together. Completing a PhD is a long, winding road, but I was never alone. I was surrounded by kind and sincere friends who guided me, shared a cup of Kashmiri tea, discussed global topics, and carried me when the path got tough.



I leave with deep gratitude for PKU, for China, and for the transformative power of education and cross-cultural understanding.

Written by: Jawad Shabbir
Edited by: Chen Shizhuo
Photos courtesy of the author