On the afternoon of Friday, September 22, 2023, an exchange event for international program students was held in Room C201 of the School of International Studies. With the theme of “career and life opportunities in China,” the event aimed to help students of the dual-master’s program better understand job prospects, gain insights into workplace experiences, and learn practical job-hunting skills through alumni sharing. The session was hosted by Ms. Xu Qinyi, Director of the PKU–Sciences Po Dual Master’s Program, and featured Mr. Mathias Larsen, a 2017 graduate of the program, as the keynote speaker. He shared with more than 30 international students his learning experience at PKU and his professional journey of working and living in China.

Currently a dual Ph.D. candidate, Mathias Larsen has worked in leading Chinese think tanks and UN agencies, focusing on research in areas such as green finance. In his talk, he elaborated on how the dual-master’s program at PKU–Sciences Po strengthened both his Chinese language skills and academic expertise, paving the way for his future career development in China. He also shared practical insights on building networks, seeking internships and job opportunities aligned with personal interests, and balancing decisions between further study and employment. In addition, he provided useful tips to students, such as choosing thesis topics, using WeChat and other platforms to access resources, navigating visa issues, and adapting to different workplace cultures.

Larsen particularly encouraged students to consider working in China, stressing that it would allow them to gain a deeper understanding of China’s society and economy, as well as different cultural perspectives on thought and behavior. His academic and professional experiences in China, he said, have enabled him to approach the country from multiple angles and build strong relationships with Chinese colleagues and partners.

The one-hour exchange session received an enthusiastic response. Students actively engaged with Larsen in a lively discussion, and many expressed that the event had been highly inspiring for their cultural integration and career planning in China. Several students also conveyed a strong interest in pursuing careers in China, hoping to apply their knowledge and skills, demonstrate their value, and serve as bridges for cultural exchange and mutual understanding. They further expressed their eagerness to join more such events in the future, which would allow them to interact with PKU alumni and experts, and to deepen their understanding of China from cultural, social, and professional perspectives. The event concluded with warm applause.