Beijing Center Offers a Warm Welcome to Columbia’s 2022 New Students
Columbia University is among the top choices when Chinese students decide to study abroad. For five years in a row, the Beijing Center has served as a starting point for many incoming students from China.
Preparing to study overseas can sometimes be overwhelming or hectic, especially for those who have never been abroad. Our local orientation or networking events allow students to become acclimated to campus life, culture, and university resources before they arrive in New York, all of which offer students the opportunity to meet peers, current students, and alumni.
On July 16 and 17, the Beijing Center welcomed 117 University-wide incoming students and, in so doing, ensured that they enjoyed a smooth transition into the Columbia community.
Class of 2026 Bonding Event
On July 16, the Beijing Center hosted 13 incoming first-year students and student leaders of Global China Connection-Columbia, a student-run organization for Chinese undergraduate students, for an online social mixer and an in-person Meet-n-Greet at the Center. Students participating in the events represent Columbia College, Columbia Engineering, School of General Studies, and Barnard College.
The online session allowed new students to learn more about academic life, extra-curricular activities, personal growth opportunities, and the Beijing Center’s resources for undergraduate students. The session invited seven alumni speakers who shared their Columbia experiences and ideas on making the best use of time in New York City. In addition, 13 current students also joined the breakout sessions to introduce their colorful life on campus and answer specific questions from new students. Discussions were, therefore, very lively and energetic.
Meet-n-Greet is one of the perfect before-school activities where students can get to know their peers and current students. The in-person event provided students with the opportunity to introduce themselves, share interests, and learn more about each other through ice breaker games. The event was followed by a walking tour of the Center guided by our staff member, who provided more information about the Center's facilities and resources available to students, meeting rooms and gallery, and photographs and images documenting the long historical connections between Columbia University and China.
University-Wide Welcome Event in Beijing
Working with Columbia University Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CUCSSA), the University-wide welcome event attracted more than 70 incoming students from Beijing and across China. The event was divided into a morning and an afternoon session to ensure each student participant had a full opportunity to address their questions and interact with peers.
Helena Xiao, Associate Director of the Beijing Center, congratulated all incoming students with warm greetings.
She and Chenchen Duan, Senior Program and Communications Officer, led an interactive information session that detailed how to take advantage of the academic resources and employment opportunities provided by Columbia and the Global Centers to achieve personal and professional goals.
In addition to the information session, one of the main attractions for students was the opportunity to communicate and connect with peers. Offering various sessions, such as icebreakers, games, and Q&A, the event encouraged students to delve into interaction with their peers, current students, and alumni so that they could make friends even before arrival on campus and also received detailed replies to their questions.
According to the feedback we collected, students were very happy about the program that made them better prepared for academic life. Some said they realized the equal importance of holistic development and bonding with faculty and other students.
Following the Beijing event, the Center will continue meeting our students in Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Chengdu in the next few weeks. Responding to warm responses, we aim to host more such programs for students.
