Exploring China: French students' journey

The year 2024 marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. At Tsinghua University, we are privileged to have a vibrant community of French students who not only embrace Chinese culture but also actively engage in cross-cultural communication. To celebrate this milestone, let's delve into their stories and share our best wishes for the friendship between China and France.

1

Katherin Thouvenin

School of Journalism and Communication

"I’m curious about how Chinese societies work, which is why I've decided to study here, " says Katherin Thouvenin from the School of Journalism and Communication. Coming from a culturally mixed family, she has always been interested in the differences between cultures. For her, China is not only half of her identity, but also a place of constant change, where modernity meets traditions, and where history is being written in everyday life.

My aspiration is to allow Chinese and French youths to better understand each other's culture, and perhaps create new fusions between the two countries," says Katherin, who is also in charge of Tsinghua University's France-Chinese Association. With the arrival of the 60th anniversary of the relations between France and China, she organized many activities within the association to encourage Chinese and French students to communicate more. Her own academic research also focuses on intercultural communication, and this year marks an extraordinary personal milestone that confirms her choice of career.

2

Minh Thao Chan

Department of Electronic Engineering

"With an educational background in the U.S. and Europe, I sought to pursue my Ph.D. in another education system, and Tsinghua's reputation as one of the world’s top universities made it an attractive choice," says Minh Thao Chan from the Department of Electronic Engineering at Tsinghua. Drawn to China's rapid technological growth and innovative spirit, Minh found Tsinghua's cutting-edge research on artificial intelligence perfectly aligned with his own academic pursuits.

At Tsinghua, Minh is surrounded by extremely talented individuals who push each other to greater heights. The hardworking and stimulating environment has inspired him to strive for more, fueling his gratitude for being part of such a diverse community. After graduation, he intends to occupy a unique position at the intersection of academia and industry, where he can facilitate technological advancement and foster cross-cultural collaboration. His journey at Tsinghua is more than just academic; it is a stepping stone to a future where he can impact the world on a grand scale.

3

Lauriane Teyssier

Department of Computer Science and Technology

"Driven by curiosity, I wanted to go abroad to combine technical learning with the discovery of another culture and language," says Lauriane from the Department of Computer Science and Technology. China's history and culture have attracted her to pursue a second master’s degree at Tsinghua after completing an engineering degree in her home country. From her perspective, China is a great place of discovery that satisfies her curiosity. Thanks to Tsinghua's friendly atmosphere, she has broadened her horizons about China's historical and cultural diversity.

Lauriane believes that international relations are based on mutual understanding and communication. These key factors prevent a foreigner’s initial fear of the unknown. On campus, she eagerly participates in exchanges with Chinese students about their own cultures, and they help each other practice the Chinese and French languages.

4

Manuel Medina Marais

Department of Computer Science and Technology

"I always wanted to go to Asia because of the big difference in culture. And my best choice is Tsinghua University in China," says Manuel. The food culture attracts him most, which is very different from that in France. At Tsinghua, everyone shares a variety of meals and enjoys a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.

Manual points out that people in France are still not very familiar with China, and may have an outdated view of how China really is. He hopes to change such views and show them how great China is. After graduation, he is willing to continue his career in China and explore the local working environment. He believes that China's role in the world will become increasingly important.

Have you ever tried explaining "camembert" to a Chinese friend and ended up with a block of tofu instead? Have you ever confidently told your friends to wait "quinze jours" thinking it meant a casual two weeks, only to realize that you actually promised one more day? Share your stories of cultural exchange and camaraderie at Tsinghua and let's celebrate the vibrant community that brings us all together!

Read more about THU

What do Beijing and Paris have in common?

Celebrating Tsinghua's anniversary with student stories

Discover Tsinghua iCenter

TsinghuaRen | Exploring China: French students' journey

Writers: Xu Fenyi, Grace Hii, Qian Yangyang

Editors: Fang Si, Gillian Tang

Designer: Chen Hongxin

Reviewers: Chen Ken, Lin Yuan