From Venice to Chongqing, Fudan's international students took their summer on the road.

From Fudan to Venice

Celine Kim | Republic of Korea | International Politics, Undergraduate | Venice, Italy

Venice in July was hotter than I expected—and more romantic. This was my second time at the Youth Innovation Competition on Global Governance (YICGG), and this year's theme was "World Cultural Heritage and the Development of Human Civilization."

Over the five days of the competition, my teammates and I—each from different backgrounds—worked through our proposal together. At first, we struggled to find common ground. But through rounds of discussion, compromise, and revision, we gradually came together and decided to design an AI governance framework.

To our surprise—and delight—we won silver! When I heard the result, I could hardly believe it. Standing on the podium, what I felt most was joy and gratitude. All those late-night discussions had finally paid off.

YICGG also brought me friends from all over the world. We came from different places, but the competition gave us a reason to meet—and through collaboration, we came to understand each other a little better.

When we weren't competing, we wandered through Venice—along the canals, through winding alleyways, watching the evening light spill across the city. We ate our way through Italian meals that were just as memorable. Those days were pure happiness.

I'm grateful to Fudan for giving me the chance to go further and see a bigger world. This has become the most special memory of my summer—one I'll carry with me for a long time.

Rediscovering Shanghai

Aidan | India | MBBS, Undergraduate | Shanghai

This summer was different. I not only had the chance to gain clinical experience at a hospital, but also took a summer course at Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

From July 6 to 10, I was at the Department of Orthopedics at Shanghai Jing'an District Central Hospital. In just a few days, I learned a great deal beyond the classroom—and met some of the kindest doctors and nurses along the way.

Then, from July 13 to 24, I joined the Side by Sight summer program at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Together with other international students, we visited Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, attended lectures in pediatric ophthalmology, and learned about the latest research and technology in the field. It also gave me a fresh perspective on medicine—and on Shanghai.

Outside the classroom and the hospital, I started to rediscover the city I've called home for four years. In the past, I was always too busy—or too quick to go back home during breaks—to really explore. This time, even with July's heat and humidity, I wanted to step out of my routine and finally see the Shanghai that had always been right there, waiting.

This summer, I saw Shanghai with new eyes—from hospital wards to city streets.

Through Eastern China with Family

Liu Jiaxin | Indonesia | Chinese Language and Literature, Undergraduate | Shanghai, Nanjing, Hangzhou

This summer, my parents took my younger brother and me on a journey through eastern China—the perfect summer trip.

We walked along the Qinhuai River at night, where lanterns flickered on the water and boats drifted slowly under the bridges. At Hongshan Forest Zoo, we followed the gibbons, trying to snap photos, wandering at a leisurely pace as if time itself had slowed down. In Hangzhou, a light rain fell over West Lake as we rode along the shore—the air carried the scent of lotus and fresh grass. And in Shanghai, the streets buzzed with energy: Disney's 10th anniversary, the vitality of the ocean park, and the wonders of the science museum—all of it brought this summer to life.

After we said goodbye at the school gate, I watched my family disappear into the crowd. The campus grew quiet around me. And in that stillness, it hit me: the value of a trip isn't in the number of places you check off. It's in the small, unremarkable moments you share with the ones you love.

We saw so many places this summer, each one different from the last. But none of them compared to what I'll really remember: the simple fact that we were together. Wherever we went, my family was with me—and that, more than any city or view, is what made this summer beautiful.

From Chongqing to Chengdu

Jacqueline Kusuma | Indonesia | MBBS, Undergraduate | Chongqing, Chengdu

This summer, my MBBS classmates and I set off on an adventure through Chongqing and Sichuan.

We started in Chongqing, the "Mountain City," then moved on to the karst landscapes of Wulong, and finally to Chengdu, a city known for its rich history and culture. We wanted to see and experience as much as we could—the landscapes, the food, the rhythm of daily life.

In Chongqing, we checked out the iconic spots—Hongyadong and Liziba. The city rises up the hillsides, with light rails cutting through buildings and streets layered at different elevations. It felt like stepping into an "8D" maze.

Leaving the city behind, we headed to Wulong to explore the Three Natural Bridges, Longshuixia Gap, and Fairy Mountain. The dramatic karst formations and open views showed us just how diverse and vast China's natural scenery can be.

Then we arrived in Chengdu—greener, slower, more relaxed. We strolled through the city, soaked up the easy pace of life, and of course, went to see the giant pandas. But we also made time for history. At the Sanxingdui Museum, the ancient artifacts brought us face to face with the Shu civilization—and gave us a glimpse into just how deep China's cultural roots go.

We ended the trip at Chengdu People's Park, where we sat back with a cup of gaiwan tea and let the days sink in. A quiet, unhurried end to an unforgettable summer.

A summer can take us far—across cities, across landscapes—and, if we're lucky, toward a deeper understanding of each other.

May the views, the friendships, and the quiet reflections our students carried home from this summer become a gentle starting point for whatever comes next in the new semester.

Source: Fudan University