Opening Words:

The tides of international affairs rise and fall under the spotlight, and in Nanjing, China, the Hopkins-Nanjing Center is quietly nurturing a vine of friendship that transcends borders.

Every September, a new cohort of international students from diverse nationalities and cultural backgrounds arrives at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center to study some of the most important issues in international relations today. Many of them already speak fluent Chinese. Some come to continue a cross-generational bond between China and their home countries; others hope to experience the real China through a first-hand perspective. But they share a common goal: each, in their own way, is working to reduce the “understanding deficit” between nations and between people.

At the Hopkins-Nanjing Center, international and Chinese students live together as roommates, sharing meals, classes, and guidance from both Chinese and international professors. Here, the Center is not only rigorous as an academic institution but also lively and inclusive like a big family. A year or two of studying together often leads to lifelong friendships.

Starting today, the Hopkins-Nanjing Center launches the “Across the Ocean: Studying Abroad” series, documenting the encounters between international students and the Center and tracing the bonds that cross vast oceans.

Part 01: An Unfinished Story from 40 Years Ago

Alexandre Nazaire and his Grandparents during an Interview

When 25-year-old American student Alexandre Nazaire signed his Chinese name “倪志山” (Ní Zhìshān) at the 2024 fall orientation at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center, he pictured the scene from forty years ago when his mother first came to study in China.

In 1983, his mother, then a junior in college, embarked on a study abroad program in Xi’an, China, immersing herself in Chinese language studies for two full semesters.

Among the treasured old photos kept by Alex’s grandmother is one from 1984, showing a green train in China. That year, Alex’s grandparents traveled to China to visit his mother. Transportation was far less convenient back then, and there were no English signs on the trains, making it quite difficult to find the right one to Xi’an.

Recalling the experience, his grandmother laughed and said, “When we saw it was about time for departure, we simply followed the crowd — whichever train they were boarding, we followed.”

During that visit, Alex’s mother took his grandparents to many cities across China. His grandfather was particularly impressed by the diversity of the cities, saying: “Shanghai felt very modern, while Beijing had a profound sense of traditional culture. Even though it was the capital, Beijing had a unique openness, much like New York, where people from everywhere gather.”

“After her study abroad program, my mother returned to the U.S. Although she never had a chance to revisit the places she lived and studied, she always loved speaking Chinese and chatting with Chinese friends, often saying she wished to return one day,” Alex said. His mother often shared vivid stories of China with him, and the light in her eyes filled him with a deep curiosity about the country from a young age.

That’s why, when it came time to choose a foreign language in college, Alex — at his mother’s suggestion — chose Chinese, even though it was a less common choice compared to Spanish, which is generally easier for English speakers.

Luckily, he wasn’t disappointed. From the very first Chinese class, he was captivated by his energetic teacher from Beijing, who also gave him his Chinese name, “倪志山.”

Since then, he often conversed with his mother in Chinese. The joy and pride in her eyes became his greatest motivation to persist with his Chinese studies, eventually planting the idea of studying abroad in China.

Part 02: Rapid Progress

When applying for his master’s degree, Alex discovered that Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) offered a “1+1” program: the first year at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center, jointly operated with Nanjing University, and the second year at SAIS in the U.S., where he would graduate.

He was thrilled to find that this program was remarkably similar to the one his mother had joined decades ago, and without hesitation, he submitted his application and was admitted to the Hopkins-Nanjing Center.

Here, learning in Chinese was an entirely different experience compared to the U.S. Classes were in Chinese, conversations with classmates were in Chinese, even ordering takeout and going out with friends required Chinese.

“This immersive environment has made my progress skyrocket. In just one semester, I used more Chinese than I had in the previous three or four years combined,” Alex said.

Most of his courses in international relations at the Center were taught in Chinese, with only a few electives available in English — a considerable challenge. Reading large volumes of academic texts, researching, and writing papers all had to be done in Chinese, but because of this, his improvement was rapid.

Alex shared, “The Center is very understanding of the language pressure international students face. Course syllabi are available in both Chinese and English, and professors include English keywords on their PPTs. They are also incredibly patient and thorough when answering our questions. It makes learning international relations in Chinese completely achievable.”

He knew, too, that his Chinese classmates faced a similar struggle — taking courses taught by American professors in English wasn’t easy for them either.

Alex chatting with Chinese classmates

“So many Chinese students studying in the U.S. overcome language barriers and complete their degrees successfully. If they can do it, so can I.” Alex said that everyone was working hard toward their dreams, and this shared spirit of perseverance filled him with confidence.

Alex celebrating a birthday with classmates

Alex playing Chinese chess with classmates

Part 03: Nurturing Dreams

Alex during an Interview

Since childhood, Alex had dreamed of becoming a diplomat.

His grandfather had worked as a diplomat in Africa, so Alex spent part of his childhood in Cameroon and Rwanda, making many local friends. That land became his second home. His deep-rooted desire to communicate sincerely with people from different countries and experience cultural exchange firsthand fueled his aspiration to become a diplomat.

“To understand a country, you must first become friends with its people,” Alex said. “If I do become a diplomat someday, the first thing I’ll do is to genuinely get to know the people of the country I’m posted to.”

In his view, many Americans know China only through their own country’s media coverage, which presents a highly limited and sometimes skewed picture.

“If they could come to China and spend more time with Chinese friends, they would realize that the real China is very different from what they imagined,” he said.

Alex celebrating his birthday at the Center

In Alex’s eyes, U.S.-China relations are pivotal to the global landscape today, and speaking Chinese will undoubtedly be a major advantage in achieving his diplomatic ambitions. At the same time, he believes that over time, more and more Americans will realize the importance of learning Chinese and understanding the real China. Cultural exchanges between the two countries will only grow stronger.

Friendship can cross mountains and seas — he hopes to help foster more friendships between the people of China and the United States.

Looking at the story of Alex’s family across three generations, it feels like a montage that transcends time and space. While the era and backdrop have changed, the themes of dreams, growth, and cross-cultural understanding remain constant.

As Alex put it, “Understanding and engagement are the keys to overcoming misunderstandings.” When open-minded goodwill runs deep in our blood, diplomacy is no longer just a negotiation across the table — it is like the soft but determined sound of a sprout breaking through the frozen earth in early spring.

Pictures and Text: Liu Sian 图文：刘思安

Video: Qin Yiyang 视频：秦亦阳

Producer: John Urban 制片：柯俊翰

Editor: Liu Sian 编辑：刘思安

Translator: Wei Caorui 翻译: 魏曹睿

Responsible Editor: Wang Aona, Qin Yiyang 责编：汪奥娜 秦亦阳