Jessie

Yuki

Justin

Keyi

Final Projects

Graduation Ceremony

Students’ reflections

Arriving at Wake Forest University initially gave me a serene and peaceful feeling. There were abundant trees, few people, and during walks, I would occasionally spot squirrels and birds. Later on, I realized that this place was also full of vitality. People here are incredibly friendly, from students to staff to professors. They love their lives and cherish this inclusive and warm community, which is a stark contrast to the experiences in bustling cities like Shenzhen. Perhaps it is for these reasons that my adaptation process felt particularly effortless.

The experience in psychology classes has brought me numerous gains and surprises. From the overall course design, classroom discussions, feedback exchanges, to the final project presentations, Professor Dr. Kiang's course on "Developmental Psychology" provided me not only with a comprehensive understanding of psychology as a discipline and its related research, but also deepened my interest in the field. We explored topics such as self-awareness, career development, identity, personality, gender, meaning of life, and social values — issues that are deeply intertwined with our lives and closely connected to society. It made me realize that self-exploration and development are lifelong processes, a vast subject in itself. At the same time, Dr. Kiang introduced us to the rich resources available on WFU campus, which I had not anticipated. Engaging in deep conversations with psychology majors, professors in neuroscience and political science has also been immensely beneficial.

Moreover, I have come to appreciate the importance of "connections" in college life. During the final project, through interactions with different strangers, professors, and classmates, I discovered that everyone had diverse experiences: some were well-planned and organized, while others drifted along with opportunities. However, people consistently highlighted the beneficial impact of interpersonal relationships. At times, while working on the project, I would even think, "How nice would it be if someone came to chat with me?" Reflecting on this, I realized the importance of engaging in conversations with different individuals to discover how intriguing their stories can be.

During the graduation ceremony, the professor prepared snacks, messages, our own words of wisdom, as well as our initial responses to the question of "who am I" for each of us. Both the professor and the teaching assistant expressed their hopes that we would continue to stay in touch and share any questions or experiences with them in the future. It was truly touching. As I sit on the bed of a New York hotel, I still feel a bit surreal. The two weeks flew by, but the sincere and interesting people at WFU, along with the vibrant atmosphere deep within the forest, have left me with profound and beautiful memories.

Dr. Epps was very gentle and patiently guided each and every one of us, which encouraged me to actively ask questions and respond to the questions she posed during class. In addition, we had a teaching assistant who was a student from Wake Forest. She was also very responsible, providing encouragement and patience to each of us. Both of them would carefully read through every assignment I submitted and provided corresponding feedback, enabling me to apply what I learned in my final paper and improve my writing skills. Overall, taking this course was worthwhile as I learned a lot. It also taught me how to effectively manage my time, allowing me to absorb knowledge, complete assignments on time, and experience the rich lives of local college students outside of class.

The university's sports facilities are very well-equipped. The gymnasium includes advanced amenities such as a fitness center, climbing wall, basketball court, and more. One evening, we played a friendly basketball game with four local high school students. It not only allowed us to relax from our coursework but also facilitated communication with our international friends. In addition to the gymnasium, there was a large grassy area next to our dormitory. One afternoon, we played spikeball and kickball on the grass. These two sports were entirely new experiences for us in China, so that particular afternoon left a deep impression on me. A local high school student named Nic taught us how to play these two sports and enthusiastically encouraged me once I grasped the basic skills.

Wake Forest University is committed to prepare young adults for their future lives by fostering well-rounded persons via its liberal arts curriculum. Wake Forest welcomes newcomers and supports its motto, "Pro Humanitate" (For Humanity), owing to its friendly environment and community focus. Initiatives like Volunteer Programs and Campus Kitchen demonstrate the university's focus on interacting with and helping the local community. Professor Kiang focused on self and identity when lecturing on developmental psychology as part of our summer program. Her outstanding personality and intriguing teaching approach made learning a genuine pleasure. Our teaching assistant, Soumil, assisted Professor Kiang and was critical to the successful outcome of our course. The ZSR Library is one of my favorite locations on campus. It provides a multitude of resources and assistance.

The Wake Forest community is filled with goodwill and warmth, which can be felt every moment on campus. Here, there are people who hold doors for others: whenever you approach any door, if there's someone within 10 meters, they will always hold it for you. There are drivers who wait for pedestrians to cross the road: regardless of how slow you walk or if you had no intention of crossing, as long as you stand by the crosswalk, approaching vehicles will come to a stop. There are enthusiastic cafeteria staff: everyone who swipes their meal card is affectionately called "sweetie" and receives a warm greeting from them. During the two weeks spent at Wake Forest, I questioned the necessity of such gestures. For instance, vehicles yielding to pedestrians doesn't yield the maximum efficiency since pedestrians walk slowly. If vehicles were to drive by without stopping, pedestrians would wait for only a short time. Conversely, if vehicles wait for slow pedestrians, drivers would spend more time. Similar reasoning applies to holding doors for others and daily greetings. It's evident that polite and considerate behavior is highly inefficient, so why do people still adhere to these actions?

As I spent more time at Wake Forest, I gradually found the answer to this question. Whether it's holding doors for others, yielding vehicles, or warm greetings, these actions may not save time, but they are the most efficient way to spread kindness. When you're surrounded by these small acts of kindness every day, your mood improves. This positive mood then spreads to others in a continuous chain. Thus, a warm and loving community is formed. Goodbye, Wake Forest, until we meet again!