In August 2026, Duke Kunshan University’s Master of Science in Global Health Program held an orientation ceremony for the incoming Class of 2028. The cohort includes students from across China, as well as international students from Kazakhstan, Morocco, and the United States. Students also bring diverse academic backgrounds in medicine, public health, psychology, business, engineering, and the humanities and social sciences. Their varied academic training and personal experiences will contribute a broad range of perspectives to their studies and interactions within the program.
On August 12, the orientation officially began. Professor Fujie Xu delivered a welcome speech to the Class of 2028, welcoming students to the global health academic community at Duke Kunshan University and marking the start of their graduate-level exploration. Professor Joseph Egger from the Duke Global Health Institute joined online to extend his warm wishes to the new cohort.
Professor Qian Long then provided an overview of the Global Health Program, covering the curriculum structure, course offerings, and available resources, helping students develop a comprehensive understanding of their academic journey over the next two years. Other faculty members also expressed their warm welcome to the Class of 2028. During the self-introduction session, students shared their academic backgrounds, motivations for pursuing graduate study, and their expectations and goals for the learning and research ahead. The session helped faculty and students get to know one another through meaningful exchanges.
New Student Voices: A New Journey Begins For the Class of 2028, the orientation ceremony marked the beginning of their graduate studies. As unfamiliarity and nervousness gradually gave way to connection and a sense of belonging, each student came away with personal reflections and hopes for what lies ahead.
Yiyao Zhang
He was particularly impressed by the faculty members’ professional expertise and approachable manner.
“The faculty members are very approachable and supportive. They listen patiently to our questions and concerns and provide thoughtful and sincere advice.”
His questions about coursework, research, and campus life all received careful responses. This openness to questions helped address some of his initial uncertainty about graduate study.
Yikang Yao
For her, one highlight of the orientation ceremony was meeting peers with similar academic interests and aspirations.
Students from medicine, psychology, business, and the social sciences shared their previous academic experiences and discussed their prospective research interests. “We come from very different backgrounds, which makes our conversations particularly interesting. I look forward to seeing what new ideas emerge as these perspectives come together.” She was also interested in the faculty members’ discussion of the responsibilities associated with graduate study, particularly the importance of research ethics. The discussion reinforced her understanding that academic work requires not only relevant research questions, but also rigor, integrity, and responsibility.
Alina Ismagulova
She described her first impression of the orientation ceremony as “welcoming.”
“The orientation ceremony was well organized, and all the information was presented clearly. Every question I raised was answered promptly.” The clear schedule, detailed responses to questions, and small gifts and meals provided during campus activities helped her become comfortable in a new environment soon after arriving from abroad.
Yangxing Wang
For him, the orientation ceremony offered an opportunity to establish new personal connections.
The new campus environment and his developing relationships with faculty members and fellow students prompted him to reflect on how people form and sustain connections. “I used to think that connections between people were like a bottle of water: the more you gave away, the less you had left. Over time, I began to understand that this may not be the case. In each new place, it is possible to find a new pool of connection. For me, DKU is that new body of water.”
As the Class of 2028 begins their studies at Duke Kunshan University, they carry with them not only diverse academic backgrounds and personal experiences, but also a shared commitment to advancing global health. The journey has just begun.
Translator | Wenxi Ge
Layout | Yijie Nan