美中全球议题对话项目

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Visiting Beijing and Hong Kong in May 2025 for the study tour portion of the U.S.-China Student Dialogue granted me access to a plethora of cultural, academic, and professional experiences that will continue to shape my perspective on the U.S.-China relationship for years to come. 

At our first stop in Beijing, the Tsinghua students welcomed us to their campus, which was significantly larger than Georgetown’s campus and packed with buildings of historical significance. It was almost surreal to meet the students we had connected with over the past month in person, and they were kind enough to give our cohort a thorough tour despite the fact that their finals season was approaching. Students raced across campus almost entirely on bicycles, creating a bustling environment that reflected the prestige of the university. I was part of the artificial intelligence (AI) and technology working group, and I was delighted to discover that one of the Tsinghua students in my group was interning at UNICEF. We also had the opportunity to try the food at one of Tsinghua’s 19 cafeterias, which exceeded my expectations and again echoed the vastness of the student body. 

Beijing also brought with it several opportunities for bonding beyond Tsinghua’s campus. The Tsinghua students accompanied our cohort to the Great Wall, where a group of students and I took it upon ourselves to venture all the way to the top. It was incredibly exhausting, but the breathtaking view and Great Wall-shaped popsicles at the souvenir shop made it all worth it. At the Georgetown alumni reception in Beijing, I learned more about the journey of several professionals from the Hilltop to Beijing while enjoying classic Peking duck among other delicacies, allowing me to truly understand Georgetown’s global impact and diverse community. It was bittersweet to leave our Tsinghua friends behind, but I left with a deeper understanding of Chinese history and friendships that will last a lifetime. 

After a three hour flight, our cohort landed in Hong Kong, beginning a three-day journey of productive conversations, professional development opportunities, and delicious food. At the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Hong Kong, we had the chance to discuss the ongoing impact of tariffs on businesses across the world, and were even offered the opportunity to intern at AmCham in the future. We then engaged in dialogues with students from Hong Kong University (HKU) over Hainan chicken and rice, while discussing the unique viewpoints of the HKU students on the ongoing U.S.-China relationship. A memorable moment was when a HKU student discussed his desire to encourage genuine diplomacy between the two countries, rather than further antagonizing the relationship with political skepticism. I particularly enjoyed the visit to Goldman Sachs, where we had the opportunity to learn from five experts on the trajectory of the U.S.-China trade relationship. On the final day, we had the opportunity to enjoy a tour of the city, exploring a historically significant temple and enjoying the plethora of fresh fruit sold on the streets. 

From the open conversations to the enriching historical experiences, the U.S.-China Student Dialogue provided an unforgettable experience that has compelled me to cherish the intersection of cultures and identities at the heart of U.S.-China diplomacy. 

Maggie Yang (SFS’27) is a student at Georgetown University studying regional and comparative studies.