Yuhan Wang, a 2024 graduate of the Master of Science in Global Health program at Duke Kunshan University (DKU), now works in the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange at Shanghai General Hospital – a leading teaching hospital in China.
Her journey from DKU to this top public hospital marked a two-year transformation — not just academically, but personally. From entering graduate school with a sense of uncertainty to eventually finding her professional path in a public hospital, the experience was as much about self-discovery as it was about scholarship.
“I will always be grateful for my time at DKU. It was a journey of moving forward despite uncertainty—a process of reconciling with myself, growing through trial and error, and ultimately learning to walk steadily in the dark toward the light.”
From Uncertainty to Exploration
I was immersed in the world of healthcare from a very early age, as both my parents worked in the health sector. The COVID-19 pandemic made that connection even tighter—watching frontline healthcare workers, including my parents, battle the pandemic deepened my interest and commitment to public health.
When it comes to choosing a graduate program, I came across a line on Duke Kunshan University’s Global Health program website: “Join the next generation of global health leaders.” That one sentence struck a chord. Something in me said, This is it.
Despite similarities with public health, global health has several unique strengths, including a global perspective and a strongly interdisciplinary approach. It not only focuses on individual care but also addresses broader systemic issues, such as healthcare resource allocation, policymaking, and health emergency response. I realized I could leverage my undergraduate background in public administration to approach healthcare systems through a multidisciplinary lens and explore more effective models of health governance.
However, having a non-medical background means I need to build capacity in research methodology and data analysis quickly. During the first semester, I often felt overwhelmed by the pressure to choose a supervisor and define a research topic. I learned the hard way that designing a research project isn’t something you can do off the top of your head; it requires a strong theoretical foundation and a well-structured research plan. Surely, it is a big new challenge for me.
Growth Through Practice
To bridge my knowledge gaps, I adopted a “back-stepping” learning approach—starting with program evaluation and working backward to understand the fundamentals of research design. Therefore, in my first semester, I enrolled in Professor Yunguo Liu’s Health Program Evaluation course. By analyzing the successes and failures of real-world health interventions, I delved into the logic behind robust research design.
I’ve also developed a structured plan to strengthen both my quantitative and qualitative research skills. Biostatistics and Epidemiology for Global Health Science, taught by Professor Chenkai Wu, transformed me from a complete beginner into someone capable of independently conducting data cleaning and analysis using Stata. Our assignments included technical coding and completing a comprehensive data analysis research report. This process teaches me how to interpret data and translate statistical outputs into meaningful, actionable conclusions. Besides, the Qualitative Research Methods course with Professor Marius Wamsiedel taught me the technique of conducting one-on-one and focus group interviews in different contexts, allowing me to draw out deeper, more nuanced insights from participants.
What truly helped me break through my academic bottleneck was the mentorship of Professor Qian Long. From topic selection and data collection to final thesis writing, her detailed and timely feedback brought structure and clarity to every stage of my project. She supported me not only in refining my research methodology but also in navigating each critical milestone of the writing process with patience.
With the seed funding offered by the Global Health Program, students are required to manage their thesis field study projects – from proposal writing, budget management, to implementing the research plan in the field. Therefore, I learned not only how to conduct research but also how to manage a project from start to finish.
The Unseen Resource of DKU Education
My two years at DKU were not only a period of academic immersion but also a journey of independent learning and multidimensional skill development. Outside of the classroom, I had the opportunity to take on student jobs, internships, and cross-cultural engagements—all of which helped prepare me for the professional world.
My first student job was with DKU’s Graduate Admissions Office, where I assisted Ms. Danyue Tian in recruitment activities, focusing on managing new media platforms and creating promotional content. Through this experience, I gained practical skills in digital media operations and event planning. More importantly, I realized that the ability to communicate complex medical concepts clearly and engagingly is just as critical as mastering the technical part of medical knowledge. This campus job opened the door to an external internship opportunity and ultimately helped lay the foundation for my full-time role after graduation.
What truly reshaped my approach to learning was the rich resources and the environment for independent exploration provided by DKU.
Having come from a more traditional Chinese educational background, I was accustomed to passively receiving knowledge and waiting for “standard answers” from teachers. At DKU, I quickly realized that many valuable resources had to be actively sought out and leveraged. Some examples include:
-Office Hours: When concepts from class weren’t entirely clear, we could meet professors face to face during their office hours to dive deeper into the subject matter or even discuss my research interests.
–Duke Library & PubMed: Learning how to navigate academic databases and search engines helps me refine research interests and build a solid theoretical framework.
–Language and Culture Center: The writing specialists offer detailed feedback, helping me improve the accuracy of my English, especially in academic writing.
–Career Services Office: DKU’s career team provides personalized consultations, resume and cover letter reviews, and mock interviews, which gives me a stronger sense of direction and confidence in job searching.
DKU’s educational model emphasizes classroom interaction, critical thinking, and independent exploration. This learning experience helped me overcome the limitations of the rote-learning system I was used to.
For example, I used to hesitate to share my opinions, fearing judgment or being wrong. However, through discussion-based seminars, presentation practice, and immersion in a diverse environment where nearly 40% of the students are international, I broke away from memorizing knowledge and focused more on communicating my views. These experiences gave me a deeper understanding of cross-cultural communication, which later became a daily norm in my first job.
Starting My Career in a Public Hospital
In the final semester, I was very fortunate to receive a full-time job offer from the International Cooperation and Exchange Office at Shanghai General Hospital. This role marked not only the beginning of my professional journey, but also a window opening up, giving me a deeper look into the many roles of China’s public hospitals. Beyond being on the front lines of healthcare, the team also assumes vital responsibilities, including health education, supporting primary care facilities, and fostering international partnerships.
My graduate thesis topic focused on China’s medical consortium, specifically the rural primary healthcare capacity building achieved through vertical cancer screening programs. This research exposed me to the stark realities at the primary level – insufficient healthcare resources and gaps in screening systems – which deepened my understanding of the consortium model. At its core, it’s about optimizing healthcare resource allocation, advancing tiered health services, and ensuring high-quality care reaches the grassroots level.
At the International Office, part of my responsibility is closely aligned with building medical consortia. In addition to this, the team’s work also involved forging partnerships with local hospitals and community health centers, coordinating clinical outreach trips, organizing livestream health education sessions, and implementing public outreach programs. These seemingly administrative tasks were essential to implementing hierarchical healthcare, chronic-acute disease triage, and two-way patient referrals. Through hands-on work—drafting reports, managing logistics, and aligning stakeholders- I gained a firsthand appreciation for both the promise and the complexity of healthcare system reform.
Additionally, my role also involved facilitating the hospital’s international engagement. I facilitate hospital visits for various international stakeholders, including Havas Group (a French company), Semmelweis University in Hungary, Motol University Hospital in the Czech Republic, and Behron Rehabilitation Hospital. Through coordinating meetings and projects, I found myself not only acting as a liaison but also as a storyteller, introducing our international peers to the structure and ethos of China’s public health system. This is crucial for fostering mutual understanding of healthcare delivery models, resource planning, and policy approaches across different national contexts.
Telling China’s Healthcare Story
International collaboration isn’t just about exchanging information. It’s a continuous process of cross-cultural understanding and adaptation. How can we present the story of China’s healthcare system in a way that resonates with global partners by using their familiar language and perspective? How can we find common ground across vastly different healthcare systems to foster smoother cooperation? These were the questions that constantly brought me back to the theories I studied at DKU: global health challenges, intercultural communication, governance frameworks, and comparative health systems. The once abstract discussions have now become practical tools in my work, helping me better understand the expectations of international partners and identify shared interests for collaboration.
I learned from these experiences that global health is not just an academic concept—it’s lived through the dynamics of transnational collaboration. How do countries learn from each other about health systems? How can resources be shared more effectively? How can partnerships deliver mutual benefit? These are not questions answered by theory alone, but through ongoing, hands-on exploration.
My time at DKU trained me to think globally and communicate professionally in English. Whether I was helping the hospital’s public health outreach on social media, contributing to the medical consortium’s initiatives at the primary level, or conducting field visits in rural towns, I brought both passion and reflection to every task.
The path from DKU to a public hospital wasn’t just a career decision – it is a continuation of purpose and responsibility. I’m grateful to my past self for holding on through moments of confusion and having the courage to learn through trial and error. Today, I carry those lessons into my current role, striving to make a meaningful contribution to the global health landscape, as I was told at the beginning of the journey: “Welcome to the community of global health leaders.”
I’ve taken that first step—and I intend to keep moving forward.
Tips for Future Students
“Make mistakes, be brave, and stop overthinking.”
At DKU, everyone comes in with passion and hope, but it’s natural to feel unsure about your major or your future direction. I’ve felt that same anxiety. But being uncertain isn’t a weakness; it means you’re thinking deeply and growing. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes—trial and error is an essential part of the journey. Be kind to yourself. Give yourself the freedom to explore different classes, internships, and research areas. Don’t hesitate to seek guidance from professors, alumni, and peers. You’re never alone on this path.
“This path will not be linear.”
These words were from Professor Marius Wamsiedel during the 2022 matriculation ceremony. Neither education nor life follows a straight line. Sometimes it’ll feel like you’re far from where you want to be, or even standing still—but as long as you keep moving forward, your path will gradually unfold. One day, when you look back, you’ll be amazed at how far you’ve come. When the dust settles, you’ll come to understand the hidden montage life has been built. Every pause, every doubt was gathering energy for the harmony ahead. Right now, you’re standing on your ark—when your mast pierces through the clouds, don’t forget to smile at the version of yourself sailing into the wind.
Trust yourself, allow everything to happen, and keep going – you’re on your way to becoming someone you’ll be proud of.
Please trust yourself. Keep learning. Stay open. Be optimistic in the face of uncertainty. And if there are moments when things feel too heavy, don’t worry. You’re never alone. Professional psychological counselors are always available through DKU CAPS. You’ve got this.
