Vice dean Qiao Weihong and teacher Zou Dawei led 12 students from the Classes of 2010 and 2011 of the Intensive Class for General Science of Kuang Yaming Honors School on a week-long exchange tour to Duke University from August 25 to 30, 2013.

The students experienced Duke’s education philosophy and its strengths and leading role as a world-renowned university. They attended lectures, visited laboratories, attended classes, had conversation with students and professors there and received expert guidance. The team also experienced the life on an American campus, and that increased their enthusiasm for learning and researching on basic subjects. The trip was very rewarding and memorable.

Professor Gao Haiyan, chair of the Department of Physics, and students in front of the Physics Building.Duke University is a private research university in North Carolina, southeastern America, whose climate is pleasant and the environment is quiet. Spending a week on such a garden-like campus, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, was enough for students to abandon distractions and devote themselves to the hope and mystery of the vibrant nature. Students were also encouraged to explored nature.

Duke University Chapel, built from 1930 to 1935, one of the tallest buildings in Durham County

Duke Gardens, built in the early 1930s, one of the major sites of Duke University

Duke University owns not only a beautiful campus but also a great academic atmosphere. The Physics Building is a lofty and unpretentious temple of science for the visiting students. Here, they listened presentations made by professors from the Departments of Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Computer Science at Duke University and enjoyed the unique insights and analysis of these contemporary scientists. All the team members learned a lot from the lectures.

Professor Robert Calderbank, director of Information Initiative at Duke (iiD), is showing the team around the Gross Hall.

Professor Stephen Craig, chair of Department of Chemistry, is introducing the department’s history and outlook.

In a lovely, relaxed atmosphere, the team members and professors from College of Sciences enjoyed the afternoon tea, and this was one of the most popular activities at Duke. The professors showed much care about the team members, from their feeling of coming to America to the outlook of a certain field, and patiently answered their questions about academics. Every student felt at home and touched. 

In addition, they had deep conversations with students from departments of math, physics and chemistry as they shared much in common as they were of the same age cohort. They always have various kinds of topics. By meeting and talking with students from America, China, Japan, India and other countries, they broadened their horizons and were also proud to show them the excellent Chinese cultural traditions and the hospitality of the Chinese people.

During the visit, the students were also warmly received by the alumni of Kuang Yaming Honors School. The alumni had all made high academic achievements at Duke University, and the team members also benefited a lot from the conversations with them. When everyone expressed their gratitude, Cao Shanshan, an alumnus of Class of 2005, said, “I also received a lot of help from alumni when I first came here. If possible, you can help other alumni who come here later like me.” His words really touched the team members. Surprisingly, the students may bump into the alumni of Nanjing University on campus. When these alumni saw them, they felt so close to the team members that they chatted at length on the road. They talked about their days of study at Nanjing University and became sentimental. Feeling the warmth and care from the alumni, everyone on the team was truly proud that Nanjing University has cultivated so many outstanding talents and made a resolution to learn from these outstanding alumni.

Team members and alumni who are at Duke University

The short visit to Duke University came to a end, and the students still could not get enough of it. During the exchange program, they broadened their horizons, appreciated the cutting-edge achievements in natural sciences and further developed their interest in scientific research. More importantly, they experienced the rigorous attitude of Duke professors and met many peers who shared the same love for natural sciences.

A photo taken at Newark International Airport before leaving America

(Written by Zhen Xin) September 10, 2013