Excitement filled the air as students gathered for an orientation session recently at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen. The event provided a platform for incoming students to connect with one another and gain insights from experienced peers, marking a new step in their academic journey.

Richard Cornelius Suwandi, a former undergraduate at the School of Data Science, who is now pursuing a PhD in computer and information engineering, took center stage to share his experiences. He motivated his younger peers to remain curious, courageous and connected, emphasizing the importance of resilience in navigating university life.

Among the new faces was Kellen Joudan, a freshman from Indonesia planning to major in computer science and engineering. Eager to explore her new environment, Joudan expressed her excitement about arriving on campus.

"My dad loves to tell me about how great China is, especially with its advancements in technology like mobile payments and high-speed rail networks. I came to experience these innovations and improve my Chinese language skills," she said.

Life at CUHK-Shenzhen has proved to be an adventure for Joudan, who has been exploring local cuisine and connecting with upperclassmen. "I've heard many good things about our professors, which makes me even more excited to study here," she added, highlighting the vibrant community at the university.

International perspectives were also shared by Yves Oliver Luetolf, an exchange student from the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland. Luetolf expressed his desire to immerse himself in a new culture while gaining insights into the Chinese economy. "I believe we can learn a lot from China and vice versa," he stated.

Reflecting on his experience, he said: "Life in China is totally different from Switzerland; your phone is your best friend here. Although I can't speak Chinese yet, everyone on campus is friendly and helpful, making it a great experience."

Konstantin Kozlov, a Russian freshman who grew up in Shenzhen, saw his enrollment at CUHK-Shenzhen as a dream come true. Planning to major in applied psychology, Kozlov served as the master of ceremonies for the welcome session and expressed his eagerness to engage in more student activities in the coming weeks and years.

This autumn, CUHK-Shenzhen has recorded a remarkable increase in its international student population. More than 10 percent of the incoming freshmen are international students, hailing from 17 countries. These are Bhutan, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Greece, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Panama, Russia, Thailand, the Philippines, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Uzbekistan.

In a milestone for the institution, CUHK-Shenzhen has also admitted 20 freshmen from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan this year, marking the first time since its establishment in 2014 that students from these regions have joined the university.