On the afternoon of August 19, nearly 30 Harvard University students, led by Ms. Tang Meijie, Co-Chair of the Harvard Alumni Association Asia-Pacific Clubs, visited Xinya College of Tsinghua University. Professor Mei Ciqi, Dean of Xinya College, along with several student representatives of the college, warmly welcomed the visiting faculty and students. The two sides gathered for an in-depth and candid discussion on topics such as youth development, general education, major selection, and extracurricular life, all in a lively and engaging atmosphere.

Wang Zhi'ang, a student from the Class of 2028 at Xinya College, moderates the session

At the start of the discussion, Professor Mei extended a warm welcome to the visiting Harvard students. He noted that the most profound moments of personal growth often occur when one encounters peers from diverse backgrounds and explores unfamiliar worlds. Diversity acts as a catalyst, sparking a genuine desire for active communication among individuals. He encouraged the students in attendance to step out of their comfort zones, engage with different societies and cultures, and draw motivation for growth from the interplay of ideas. Speaking on the deeper value of such exchanges, Professor Mei stated that genuine international communication should go beyond "seeing pandas, saying nihao, and learning to use chopsticks" and instead foster deeper understanding and cooperation. He expressed his hope that both sides would build on current progress to develop more in-depth study programs in the future that can enrich the dialogue.

Professor Mei Ciqi, Dean of Xinya College, delivers his remarks

Next, Huang Chonghe, a student from the Class of 2027 at Xinya College, introduced the college's educational philosophy under three key concepts: Learn Broadly, Choose Freely, and Live Together. In terms of curriculum, Xinya College offers interdisciplinary general education courses such as Logic and Rationality, Civilization and History, and Literature and Aesthetics, encouraging students to explore extensively and independently. In choosing their majors, students are free to decide at the end of their freshman year, with ample time to find the academic path that suits them best. For college life, Xinya College embraces the philosophy that "life is education." In approximately 10,000 hours of extracurricular time, the college provides students with diverse platforms for communication and personal growth through a variety of activities, such as the One Thing Plan, the Jinghong lecture series, the Collective Talks, and group workouts.

Huang Chonghe, a student from the Class of 2027, introduces Xinya College

During the open discussion session, students from both universities engaged in lively exchanges on a wide range of topics.

Regarding general education, Harvard students introduced their university's curriculum: students are required to earn credits across various courses, such as Aesthetics & Culture, Ethics & Civics, Histories, Societies, Individuals, and Science & Technology in Society, while they also enjoy considerable freedom to take interdisciplinary courses for their majors.

Regarding extracurricular life, much like Xinya students' dedication to their "10,000 Hours," the Harvard students also shared their vibrant experiences outside the classroom: some are members of the varsity ski team, some stage plays or host classical music radio shows, while others pursue their passion for learning languages. "College is about more than just taking classes; these extracurricular experiences shape our character and broaden our horizons."

During the exchange, Professor Mei also shared his thoughts on how the Chinese and American educational models can learn from and complement each other. He noted that Tsinghua students could learn from their Harvard counterparts the courage to step out of their comfort zones and actively participate in extracurricular activities, while Harvard students could appreciate the value of building resilience through Tsinghua's rigorous academic training.

On behalf of the event organizers, Ms. Tang expressed her gratitude to Xinya College for its warm hospitality. She encouraged the students from both universities to be real with one another during the exchange—to share their passions, to be open about their anxieties, and to connect through sincere interactions.

Ms. Tang Meijie, Co-Chair of the Harvard Alumni Association Asia-Pacific Clubs, delivers her remarks

After the event, students from both universities toured the Tsinghua campus and enjoyed a meal at student dining halls in small groups.

This event marks the second consecutive year of summer exchanges between students from the two universities. Despite their diverse backgrounds, they share much in common: a desire for growth, a curiosity about the world, and a yearning for mutual understanding. Looking ahead, Xinya College will continue to foster an open atmosphere for international exchange, enabling more students to broaden their horizons through dialogue and deepen their understanding through interaction, so that they can embrace a diverse world with greater confidence.