Notre Dame undergraduates take part in Beijing summer study abroad program with Peking University students
This summer, the University of Notre Dame and Peking University (PKU) successfully organized the Notre Dame–Peking University Joint Beijing Summer Program in Philosophy of Science, bringing together 13 Notre Dame undergraduates and 15 classmates from Peking University. The program consisted of over three weeks of intensive academic and cultural exchange, fostering insightful academic discussions and building friendships between Chinese and US students.
“The establishment of this program reflects Notre Dame Global’s strategic plan, which aims to foster education and students while deepening strategic partnerships in China,” said Jingyu Wang, the executive director of Notre Dame Beijing.
During the first week, students explored Taoism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Chinese politics and culture through lectures led by professors from Peking University, complemented by study tours that directly connected classroom discussions with Beijing’s rich cultural landmarks. These included visits to the White Cloud Taoist Temple, the Lama Buddhism Temple, the Imperial Academy, and the Forbidden City. The integration of lectures and excursions allowed Notre Dame students to engage deeply with Chinese intellectual traditions and their cultural contexts. The following week, Professor Nic Teh from the University of Notre Dame led the module on the Philosophy of Physics. And during the final week, Professor Yafeng Shan from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology led the module on Philosophy of Biology.
Upon completion, each Notre Dame student received three academic credits, making the program not only intellectually enriching but also formally recognized as part of their degree progress.
One student spoke on their experience, sharing: “I never imagined that a single course could leave me so deeply shaken: it greatly broadened my horizons and helped me form such close connections with others. Under the professor’s guidance, we tried to connect, compare, and analyze the ideas of different philosophers, through which I strongly experienced the feeling of ‘doing philosophy.’”
Beyond the classroom, Professor Nic Teh organized extension activities connected to the coursework, using a variety of discussion formats to deepen students’ understanding of the material. These activities not only enriched the philosophical inquiry begun in class but also helped foster the development of a close-knit academic community.
Students climbed the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, learned traditional Chinese ceramic techniques—including wheel-throwing and underglaze painting—and brought their handmade creations back to the United States. They also attended the Notre Dame China Alumni Career Development Series—Law Lectures at Notre Dame Beijing, and dined with nearly 60 Notre Dame alumni and parents from Beijing and other cities in Asia. Together, the students and alumni also welcomed incoming Notre Dame undergraduates from across China, further strengthening the sense of the global Notre Dame community.
In addition, Professor Nic Teh organized an opportunity for the students to attend a symphony performance at the National Centre for the Performing Arts, celebrated a student’s birthday, and went bowling together with students to build the ND–PKU international community in this program. Through these shared experiences, students and professors demonstrated that the value of the program extends beyond academic learning to the deep personal connections it fosters.
As part of the joint program, Peking University provided accommodation near the PKU campus for Notre Dame students, who attended classes with PKU students on the PKU campus. This immersive setting allowed for close academic collaboration and personal exchange with their Chinese classmates, walking together through Peking University’s campus and exploring Beijing, and building lasting friendships through deep cross-cultural exchange. Notably, the program also welcomed two non-Notre Dame students from Holy Cross College and California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, broadening the circle of participants and extending the program’s impact. Reflecting on the success of the program, representatives from the PKU Department of Philosophy said, “Students from both universities not only engaged in in-depth discussions on a range of challenging academic topics but also deepened their cross-cultural understanding and connections through close study and daily life together."
Originally published by at beijing.nd.edu on September 12, 2025.