Coming to Tsinghua has felt like getting to know home again. I left China in third grade, and returning as an exchange student from Babson College has given me a new way to reconnect with my background. Sharing classes, conversations, and team practices with students here has made that experience especially meaningful.

One of my favorite things about Tsinghua is how much there is to explore. I’m currently taking nine courses, ranging from finance and econometrics to energy, supply chains, and philosophy. My electricity markets and energy policy courses have been a highlight. They’ve helped me connect finance with the electricity needs behind AI and sparked an interest in electricity trading. I’ve enjoyed seeing how a question from one class can lead me into an entirely different subject.

Another pleasant surprise has been studying in Chinese. Before arriving, I was nervous about writing papers and keeping up with academic discussions. Working through assignments has shown me that I’m more capable than I initially thought. Each piece of work has made me a little more confident about trying something unfamiliar.

Outside the classroom, sports have become a big part of my life here. Through tennis, flag football, and pickleball, I’ve met students from different departments and backgrounds. As an assistant tennis coach for SEM, I’ve especially enjoyed teaching and playing alongside other students. Conversations on and off the court have given me a glimpse into their fields of study, cultures, and ways of thinking. These friendships have opened up a fuller Tsinghua experience for me and helped me feel connected to the university beyond my own classes.

For anyone considering an exchange at Tsinghua, I’d encourage you to explore beyond your usual interests and get involved in campus life. I can’t think of a better way to understand a country than studying there, learning alongside its students, and sharing in their everyday lives. My exchange is still underway, and it has already given me new interests, greater confidence, and friendships I hope to keep for years. I’m looking forward to bringing these experiences back to Babson and staying connected to the people who have made Tsinghua feel like home.

——Ken Guo from Babson College