Connect with Former Fellows

Hello everyone! I’m Rilee, and I participated in the Princeton in Beijing Summer 2026 Program. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have participated in PiB and to have challenged myself through its strict language pledge and rigorous coursework. Having participated in immersion programs with varying levels of intensity, I can confidently say that PiB provides one of the best environments for improving your Chinese. PiB not only helped me strengthen my Chinese language skills but also deepened my academic interest in Chinese culture. Outside of the classroom, I had the opportunity to explore Beijing’s extensive culture, talk with locals, and even travel to other cities in China! I’d love to talk with anyone who is curious about the Light Fellowship, choosing the right program for your goals, or my study-abroad experience. Feel free to reach out!

Hey! My name is Hannah (TC’29), and I just spent this past summer studying Chinese with Harvard Taipei Academy (HTA) on the campus of National Taiwan University. I had such an awesome time getting to know my classmates and teachers through our weekly excursions, traveling in and around the city (Taiwan has such beautiful scenery), talking with locals (I still talk to friends I made there!), and - of course - eating all the wonderful food. Feel free to reach out if you’re interested in studying Taiwan or the Light fellowship in general!

大家好！My name is Aaron and I studied at CET Beijing during the summer of 2025. During my 8 weeks in China, I not only improved my Chinese so much, but also got to explore many different cities and try many cuisines. Some of my favorite memories include talking to locals, like my roommate, which gave me great insight into Chinese culture and politics. If you have any questions or want suggestions on what to do on the weekend in China, feel free to reach out!

大家好！My name is Bryce Falkoff, a member of the Class of 2029 and of Trumbull College! I have yet to decide my major, though I will likely settle on Applied Math or Applied Physics. I spent the summer of 2026 learning Chinese in Shanghai through the UVA in Shanghai program. This was genuinely such a life-changing experience, from climbing the Great Wall with my close friends (it's a climb, not a walk, trust me), to creating "secret" handshakes with locals at a mall I just met, and having some of the most delicious food I have ever tasted (the host university's best cafeteria had 10 full restaurants inside it). Language immersion is difficult and certainly tests your perseverance, focus, and willingness to learn, so if you have any questions or concerns feel free to reach out, or if you want to hear more about my experience!

大家好！I'm Ellen Wang, and I studied abroad in Beijing, China for the summer term. Every part of my experience exceeded my expectations. From the close bonds I had formed with my teachers to my adventures to other cities to China to the spontaneous trips to historical landmarks and food markets, I not only strengthened my language skills and grasp on Chinese culture, but also made tight friendships and life-long memories. I truly had the most remarkable and fulfilling summer abroad! I am eager to share about my experiences as a Light Fellow, so please reach out with any questions.

大家好！My name is Charles (乐乐), and I am a half-Chinese sophomore in Timothy Dwight College. When I came to Yale, I decided to continue my studies in L5 Chinese, which I had stopped after ninth grade. This summer, I had the pleasure of venturing to China with funding from the Light Fellowship, first exploring 台湾 (Taiwan) and 四川 (Sichuan) before heading to Beijing. I did not know what to expect with PiB's emphasis on accuracy of pronunciation, but I found it very rewarding, mastering the differentiation of 前鼻音 and 后鼻音 (i.e. ch/c, z/zh, s/sh, n/ng)–––one time, a teacher asked one of my classmates where she went over the weekend, and she replied 天堂 (tiāntáng, Heaven) instead of 天坛 (tiāntán, Temple of Heaven)! I also gained a deeper understanding of many pressing dilemmas China confronts, as well as famous short stories from 鲁迅 (Lǔ Xùn) and the first resident Chinese citizen to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, 莫言 (Mò Yán). As I said in the graduation speech I gave on behalf of our fifth-year-level students, PiB transformed the way I approach complex topics, from one of scientific inquiry, to one of many more perspectives, simultaneously deepening my understanding of and engagement with politics. For example, in one of the twenty-five essays I wrote at PiB, I applied the Prisoner's Dilemma to the US-China Trade War. I also rethought my preconceptions of culture as well; sentences from Yale’s L5 textbook, “[中国绘画] 妙在似与不似之间” (“the beauty [of Chinese art] lies between its likeness and unlikeness”), were challenged by my teacher (Yale’s 张老师), who asserted that artists should master realism before they wander into the realm of abstractness. I also gained insights into the mainland, Taiwanese, and historical perspectives on the relationship between Taiwan and mainland China, as well as many other aspects of Chinese history and culture that I did not anticipate learning about. The daily individual sessions and oral reports were especially helpful for improving my speaking ability, and the ten-plus-page texts we read, though daunting, allowed me to learn hundreds of words each day and improve my reading comprehension to the point that I can now read the majority of most museum plaques I have thus far encountered. Even though I was practically confined to our residence (where our classrooms were as well), studying well into the night and even on the weekends, it was the best stay in “Prison in Beijing” that I could have imagined. Our five teachers became close friends with our tight group of twelve students, and my Chinese proficiency really did 突飞猛进 (advance by leaps and bounds). Please reach out to me if you would like any advice, especially if you have questions about what really happens inside the infamous “prison” that made this past summer one of the best of my life.

My name is Laura and I’m a senior in Berkeley majoring in Economics. I studied abroad during the fall semester in Beijing and attended Tsinghua’s InterUniversity Program (IUP). My favorite memories in China were eating hotpot, going on runs in Olympic Park, and exploring different cities! Please reach out with any questions, especially heritage speakers!

Hey everyone! My name is Kalina, and I’m a sophomore in JE planning on studying Cognitive Science and Film! The summer of 2025, I traveled with CET Beijing to mainland China through the Light Fellowship. During eight weeks in China, I had the opportunity to visit cities such as Chengdu, Shanghai, and Xian, make friends with the locals, and eat lots of incredible good. If you’re thinking about applying for the Light Fellowship, traveling to China or even just traveling abroad, feel free to reach out!

Hello everyone! My name is Max, and I spent this past summer in Taipei! From chatting with locals to hiking in Taiwan’s mountains to exploring the street markets, I not only improved my Chinese but also gained a rich understanding of Taiwanese culture through this experience. I’m extremely interested in how Taiwan’s linguistic diversity impacts its citizens’ senses of national identity, as well as how Taiwan’s blend of Daoist, Buddhist, and Confucian religious traditions impacts Taiwanese people’s view of the everyday world, and I hope to return soon to investigate these questions! If you have questions about studying abroad, please feel free to reach out!!

Hello! My name is Ryen. I am a Global Affairs major pursuing an Advanced Chinese Language certificate in Branford College. I studied abroad in China with CET Beijing during the summer of 2025, and I loved everything about my experience! From the weekend excursions to famous landmarks like the Great Wall and the Forbidden City to the traveling seminar in Chengdu, there was always someplace new to explore. I also feel so much more comfortable in my language skills now that I have had eight weeks of experience speaking only Chinese with native speakers and navigated the streets of Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu with my friends. If you want to learn about being in China as a Black person, what tea to drink during what season, or how to eat Peking duck, please feel free to reach out!

Hello everyone! My name is Bena, and I studied abroad with CET Beijing in the summer of 2026. It was an amazing experience that has given me the ability to . If you have any questions about navigating life in Beijing or the Advanced High level at CET Beijing, or if you want to chat about the Light Fellowship, feel free to reach out!

Hi, I'm Oliver! I studied abroad in Summer 2025 with Princeton in Beijing. The courses, language pledge, and extracurricular activities not only helped me vastly improve my Chinese language proficiency but also allowed me to deepen my understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture. I trust that the lessons I learned while attending PiB will continue to shape my life and career. If you have any questions about the Light Fellowship, PiB, adjusting to life in China, or managing applications, please reach out!

大家好！I am Raymond (欢欢), and I attended the fifth-year level of the Princeton in Beijing summer program in 2026. 监狱是名，桃源是实，监狱是幌子，愉悦是实质 (Translation: "Prison" is the name, utopia is the reality, prison is the cloak, happiness is the substance). It was certainly a lot of time spent in 新松公寓 (our bedrooms and classrooms were all in the same building) It was certainly a lot of time spent in 新松公寓 (our bedrooms and classrooms were all in the same building), but it was well worth the hundreds of new words we learned each day, the controversial topics we discussed, and the enthusiastic environment in our small, focused classes. Eight weeks was short enough to pass by in 一瞬间 (an instant), but long enough to elevate my Chinese and my understanding of China to a completely different level. The texts we read ranged from timely to timeless, I have come away understanding the history, present, and future of China through this multifaceted approach. Rigorous learning was matched with exhilarating adventures: as a group, we visited 少林 (Shaolin), learning 功夫 (kung fu) hiking up 嵩山 into the cloudy mist; I climbed up 泰山 (Taishan) starting just before midnight to catch a (somewhat gray and hazy) sunrise. It was the small moments with friends that made the experience unforgettable: studying together at 3:00 a.m. for the next day's exam; going with friends out to watch the new Spider Man movie; bouldering and lead climbing together; even going to the gym together after a baffling test. If you anything above piques your interest, or you are curious about anything related to PiB or Beijing in general, please feel free to reach out. It is a fantastic experience that I would recommend to anyone interested in Chinese and China as a whole.

Hello! My name is Eva, a sophomore at Morse College majoring in Economics and East Asian Studies. Last summer, I spent 8 weeks in Taiwan studying at Harvard Taipei Academy. Those 8 weeks absolutely changed my life - not only did I find a deeper love for the Chinese language, my bonds with the local community, my friends and teachers, and my coursework elevated my experience and I left with a profound appreciation and inspiration for Taiwanese and Chinese culture. As a FGLI student, I also learned to navigate the financial and emotional challenges of living independently in a different country -- whether you are a fellow FGLI student, student interested in Harvard Taipei Academy, or you share an interest in East Asian culture, please feel free to reach out! I was fortunate to receive support from previous Light Fellows during my own fellowship term and I am very eager to help!

大家好！My name is Sophia Zhang, and I'm a sophomore in Davenport from New Haven. I participated in CET Beijing during my first-year summer, and it was one of the best experiences of my life so far! I had so much fun learning Chinese, bonding with classmates and teachers while enjoying delicious food, yapping with new friends, and making lots of special memories while exploring Beijing and other cities, such as Shenzhen and Hohhot. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about CET Beijing, studying abroad, or just want to hear some fun stories!

大家好！My name is Mirabel, and I am a rising junior in Benjamin Franklin College. I spent the summer taking fun courses focused on Taiwanese literature, current events, and Hokkien, all while strengthening my Mandarin skills. My teachers at ICLP have been incredibly kind and supportive, and I have appreciated how ICLP provides a balance of unique out-of-class opportunities like the chance to visit the 高等法院, while allowing a high level of freedom outside class time. When I’m not studying, I enjoy visiting museums, temples, night markets, morning markets, and cultural sites beyond Taipei. Please reach out with any questions about studying in Taiwan, ICLP, or taking Chinese at Yale in general!

Hi! My name is Cynthia, and I was abroad for the last two semesters in mainland China, first for CET-Beijing and then through another travel fellowship working on some independent film projects. I was also abroad the summer of 2022 through CET-Taiwan. I still keep in touch with all the creatives that I’ve met in China, which has helped with current projects and learning how to make films from different cultural perspectives. Please get in touch if you have any questions on living for a longer period of time abroad or if you’re interested in the arts in a foreign country!

Hey! My name is Lino Lopez and I am a sophomore in Trumbull College. Last Summer, I spent 11 weeks studying at the Wenzao Chinese Language Center in Taiwan. During that time, I ran an impromptu-marathon, climbed the tallest mountain in east Asia (Yushan), brushed up against a Banded Sea Krait, and fell in love with Taiwan. Since my program was very independent and offered a lot of free-time, I learned how to craft my study abroad experience by balancing detailed must-complete plans and completely on-the-go decision making. Additionally, I became more comfortable with the uncomfortable and as a result, my experience was elevated. Through striking conversations with locals, I made lifelong friends that showed me how Taiwanese people actually live, through pursuing plans despite the weather, I learned how to plan for the worst, hope for the best, and still make a fantastic experience out of it, and through genuinely embracing every moment, even if it was foreign to me, I was able to better integrate myself into Taiwanese culture. By learning these lessons, I was rewarded me with an impromptu-marathon, a frog fishing-and-frying experience, and so much more. So, if you are planning to study at Wenzao, Taiwan in general, or just want to hear more about my study abroad experience, I would love to help you. Please reach out!

大家好！I’m Winslow, a Sophomore in Davenport College. I was a student at Harvard Taipei Academy during summer 2026. It was a wonderful experience. Besides making quick progress in Chinese, I enjoyed becoming familiar with the city over the two months. I also had the opportunity to make it to the mountains near Taichung and the coastal area around Hualien; both places were beautiful. I hope to make it back to Taiwan soon. I’d be glad to talk about my experience with the Light Fellowship and studying abroad!

Hi everyone! I'm Yunhan, and I studied Advanced Chinese at CET Beijing in Summer 2026. I felt like the program truly fit my needs as a heritage speaker, both within the classroom and in interacting with local CNU roommates. I even presented at an economics exchange forum hosted by Renmin University, which truly pushed me out of my comfort zone when it came to speaking Chinese. I also traveled to nine cities (including Chengdu, Hangzhou, and Anyang), so please feel free to reach out if you have any questions regarding being abroad, academics at CET Beijing, or traveling around China - I'd love to chat!

Hi everyone! I'm Sofiia, and I spent my first-year summer at CET Beijing. I had a wonderful experience in Beijing, with the program's traveling seminar to Chengdu, and my individual travel to Shanghai, Xi'an, and Pingyao. I highly recommend CET for those interested in improving their Mandarin through both formal classes and real-life situations. Feel free to reach out with any questions about Light Fellowship, CET Beijing, language acquisition, or anything else!

你好！My name is Esther-Josette, and I’m a sophomore in Pierson College. Over the past summer, I studied abroad in Taiwan with the Harvard Taipei Academy. I had a blast trying new foods at night markets and in different parts of the country, interacting with locals as well as my host family, and even conducting a field research study on gender equality, access to higher education, and jobs in the countryside. Most importantly, I spent time intensively learning Chinese, which was a struggle at first, especially with the language pledge, but so worth it! Studying abroad was an incredible opportunity to immerse myself in a new culture, step outside my comfort zone, and create unforgettable memories. Please feel free to reach out with any questions!

Hi everyone! My name is Zander, and I studied intermediate Chinese (L3 & L4) at the Princeton in Beijing program. I had an awesome time biking around the city, eating amazing hotpot, and exploring Datong and Shanghai! If you have any questions about preparing for Light as an international student (especially regarding visas!) or any questions in general, please don’t hesitate to reach out! :)

Hi everyone! My name is Grace, and I’m a sophomore in Grace Hopper College majoring in English and Political Science, with a certificate in Chinese. This summer, I spent two months studying at CET-Beijing, which is hosted at Capital Normal University (CNU). As a heritage speaker, I came into the program comfortable discussing only everyday topics in Chinese, but by the end of the summer, I felt confident speaking about more complex subjects like economics, politics, and culture. I also absolutely loved my teachers and still keep in touch with some of them on Instagram! Some of my favorite memories from the summer include shopping at 南锣鼓巷, a commercialized hutong neighborhood; performing tai chi with my class at CET’s Cultural Night; and ordering Meituan—China’s version of DoorDash/Uber Eats/Grubhub—and eating with my friends on the steps outside our dorm every day. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about CET or if you want Beijing food recommendations—I have many!

Hi! I'm Peter, and I studied Chinese on Princeton in Beijing this past summer. I had a fantastic time improving my language skills, making local friends, and traveling all around China, from Qingdao to Xi'an. If you have any questions about Light in general or PiB specifically, feel free to reach out.