Clarisse Le Guernic first came to Fudan University as an exchange student at the Department of Chinese Language and Literature, from September 2015 to September 2016. Today, she is a volunteer at Ruijin Second Road Subdistrict, founder of Arcade Experience, and a Shanghai Global Tourism Ambassador—roles that all share a common thread: telling the story of the city she now calls home.

Le Guernic's connection with Chinese culture began in her early teens. At 12, she chose Chinese as her second foreign language—drawn to the characters and the civilization behind them. To experience the country firsthand, she took study trips to Beijing and Xi'an, which cemented her decision to pursue further education in China. From 2015 to 2016, she came to Fudan University as an exchange student at the Department of Chinese Language and Literature, taking courses in classical Chinese, Chinese history, and Chinese geography.

 

After completing her master's degree in 2019, she moved to Shanghai and set up her base in the tree-lined streets around Nanchang Road and Sinan Road. She spent her days exploring the neighborhood's lanes, studying its Western-style houses, shikumen buildings, and revolutionary heritage, and uncovering the stories embedded in them—which she then wove into distinctive Citywalk routes. Through her own lens, she showed expats in Shanghai an authentic side of the city, while also helping long-time residents rediscover layers of history they had overlooked.

As a practitioner of cross-cultural exchange, she works through guided walks, salons, and social media to tell stories of Sino-French connections in Shanghai—including the friendship between Zhang Chongren and Hergé, and the making of The Blue Lotus—while also capturing everyday life in the city today. Her goal is to push back against stereotypes some people abroad may hold about China. She has also created a platform for Chinese and international women to connect, hosting cultural salons in the neighborhood to bring together diverse female voices. What began as an individual exploration has grown into cultural storytelling, and now into building social bridges—work that continues to expand, bringing people together across cultures in meaningful ways.

Le Guernic reflected on her journey: "The Chinese Department at Fudan was my first window into Shanghai. I sharpened my Chinese here, slowly began to feel the city's rhythm, and planted a seed that would one day grow into the life I now live."

Next year marks the 75th anniversary of Fudan's international student program. Looking back on the decades since its founding, Le Guernic said: "I'm proud to call Fudan my alma mater, and I hope it will keep building bridges between China and the world—opening doors for talent everywhere and lighting the way for those chasing their dreams."

Source: Fudan University