From July 21st to August 3rd, 2019, four students including Lu Qi from the School of Management, Jilin University, went to Harvard University and Columbia University to participate in the two-week Eastern United States Ivy League Summer Academic Program, Led by Ms. Yang Hong. Also joining the program were another 19 students from 11 colleges and schools of JLU, including Economics School, Business School, School of Philosophy and Sociology, College of the Humanities and Schoolof Journalism and Communication, and College of Automobile Engineering, and more than 180 teachers and students from other universities.
The program was divided into several directions, i.e. business, artificial intelligence, and medicine, and students of our school chose business. During the two-week program, students participated in modules such as specialized courses, case study workshops, visits to companies and institutions, and cultural experience at Columbia University and Harvard University.
At Columbia University, students took two specialized courses, “Financial Innovation” and “Business Practice”, and had an in-depth look into world finance, innovation and entrepreneurship. It is worth mentioning that in combination with the teaching content, the program also invited the richest female entrepreneur in New York for “case teaching”. The entrepreneur helped students deepen their understanding of innovation and startup, business operations, and entrepreneurship by sharing her own experiences, corporate strategies, operation management, etc.
At Harvard University, students took two courses, “Application of Econometric Analysis in Business Management” and “College Writing”, and gained econometric expertise and academic writing skills. In addition, the program also arranged a seminar with Harvard students. Through face-to-face communication, students had first-hand experience of the learning atmosphere at Harvard University and the American culture, and gained a more comprehensive understanding of persuasion techniques, business case study, leadership and speech methods.
At the two top universities, students worked in groups and collaborated with their peers from different professional backgrounds. In the final presentation, four students of our school received unanimous praise from professors at Columbia University and Harvard University, bringing the program to a satisfactory conclusion.
After class, students were organized to visit Yale University and MIT, and had a closer look at the two universities and the learning and living conditions. During the enterprise visit, students were brought to Brooklyn Navy Yard to see the history and reform of this oldest naval yard in the United States, and its current development after being converted into an industrial park.
One of the biggest differences between American and Chinese classrooms is that students always do more than teachers in America. I took four professors’ courses at Columbia and Harvard, i.e. Banking and Investment, Entrepreneurship, Economic Management Methods, and Academic Writing, and gave presentations in my group at the end of each course. At class, the professors encouraged us a lot to cooperate, think and discuss. Through these academic group discussions, instead of studying in isolation, each of us was more active to think and discuss, and constantly motivated to explore deeply. Moreover, we enhanced our comprehensive ability through the courses taught in English. To me, all these are fantastic experiences and the most significant part of the program.
——Zhang Xiang, a 2018 Undergraduate, School of Management
I did not rush into an internship over the half month. Apart from enjoying class and travel, I had more time to think about my life, and thus had a new plan for my student life. Everyone should have a unique lifestyle that is right for them. There is no need to be mediocre and follow the crowd, nor should we lose our own voice for the sake of others. Be it life or work, the most important is to be yourself. I would like to give special thanks to the School of Management of Jilin University for giving me such an opportunity to see a different world. I have gained knowledge and expanded my horizons in the half month. The world is too big and life is too short. Let’s open our eyes, live in the moment and enjoy youth!
——Ao Yidan, a 2017 Undergraduate, School of Management
“My trip to the United States has been very fulfilling and satisfactory. I have experienced the unique and inclusive American culture, tried different teaching methods, exercised my English listening and speaking skills, and met many lovely students. Mostly important, I have built a stronger sense of teamwork during the program. We stayed together in the 14 days and had unforgettable memories. Here I would like to thank Ms. Yang Hong for her thoughtfulness and company along the way. I highly recommend this great program to you all!”
——Lu Qi, a 2018 Graduate, School of Management
