To wrap up the already bustling first week of the new semester in a new year, SSDPP’s Han Laoshi invited the English Master Program students to an informal class meeting on Friday, February 24. Over snacks and coffee, it was time for the students to submit their choices on the elective classes – with a wide range of highly interesting subjects to choose from, it was not an easy deliberation particularly in light of the anticipated workload for the semester ahead: after all, the next few months will also be all in the name of selecting thesis advisors, writing a thesis proposal and preparing for the thesis defense.
Program Director Wang Xinsong provided more details on the process and recommended the students to get in touch with their desired advisory committee – consisting of one general and two assistant advisors – as soon as possible.
Zhang Yurong from the BNU Student Council stopped in to welcome the students to the new semester on a milestone mission: for the first time ever, the Student Union was inviting foreign students to join. Offices in four categories were up for nomination: Vice President, Sports & Recreation, Studies, and Publicity. The suggested candidates proudly accepted the nominations, and the class voted unanimously. The four students are looking forward to their new role of representing the Program and its international students at the Union.
This semester will also see the launch of the new SSDPP magazine, an English language showcase of life, work and study at the department in text and pictures. Students, professors and anyone with a personal, academic or professional connection to the School of Social Development and Public Policy are welcome to contribute to the new publication and make it a success on and beyond campus.
For one specific classmate from Uganda, Han Laoshi held a special surprise: a birthday cake and all the celebration that came with it. She had never had a birthday like this before, the birthday girl commented happily – back home, they didn’t celebrate it, but simply let it pass. The late afternoon concluded with a sweet round of cake and lively discussion of any remaining issues, ideas, thoughts and musings that hadn’t been covered by the meeting agenda before everyone dispersed into the first weekend of the semester.
