What is the study environment like?

The study environment is the best I have ever experienced, and the SDC building is equipped with nice and comfortable study rooms. You become very close with your classmates, and everyone is supportive and wants to see each other succeed in their studies.

What is it like to live in China?

I arrived with only “你好 (nǐ hǎo)” in my Chinese vocabulary, and I was surprised that most Chinese people do not speak English. However, I was also pleasantly surprised at how kind people are and how easy it is to communicate, even when you don’t speak the same language. A smile and hand gestures go a long way!

Setting up a Chinese SIM card, opening a bank account, and configuring apps correctly can be time-consuming. But once that is sorted out, life in China becomes much easier. Payments, takeaways, shopping, subway/bus cards, taxis, bike rentals—you name it—all happen through apps. It’s convenient and fast, though having a power bank is advisable since your phone is essential for everything!

What do you think about the physical environment of SDC?

Everything is conveniently located on campus within walking distance. The SDC building offers a study-friendly environment with amenities like a student lounge, games, and a gym. The dorms are simple without kitchens, but there are several canteens and supermarkets on campus. Additionally, there are cafes, running tracks, badminton courts, football fields, ping-pong tables, and an indoor swimming pool.

What is the social life like?

There is a strong sense of community where it’s easy to connect with people who share similar interests and mindsets. We formed groups and clubs for activities like rollerskating/skateboarding, gym workouts, watching Nak og Æd (a Danish TV show), and organizing parties. Socializing is straightforward, especially for international students, as we all chose to move to China to study, giving us common ground to build friendships.

What did you do in your spare time?

The neuroscience programme is intense, so I enjoyed visiting the Great Wall (which you can see from the SDC building and the campus) to clear my head. We would watch movies in the student lounge, go rollerskating on campus, or relax and play board games. On weekends, we sometimes went sightseeing in Beijing.

Travelling in China is easy (and mostly cheap), so I recommend taking advantage of that during long weekends and holidays!

Where did you work on your thesis project and what did you gain from it?

Due to COVID-19, I ended up doing my thesis in Aarhus, Denmark, where I am also pursuing my PhD. All the practical lab experience I gained during my thesis has been invaluable during my time as a PhD student. Despite the challenges, being a part of SDC has allowed me to gain the Chinese lab experience that I missed during the pandemic.

How has your time at SDC/your MSc programme impacted your career?

My MSc programme has significantly influenced my future career, as I likely would not have pursued a PhD without it. I have gained extensive experience in establishing collaborations between China, Denmark, the US, and even a medical company, which will be a significant asset in my career.

Other thoughts and reflections?

In my experience, the students at SDC are incredibly caring and selfless. It's easy to see why students at SDC become so close—they become your family away from home.

Good science requires teamwork, and interdisciplinary and cross-cultural experiences can be vital to the success of a project. This programme provides students with invaluable exposure to such experiences.

Would you recommend others to choose the programme?

Absolutely. If you have a passion for neuroscience and are open to exploring other cultures, I believe you will find this programme immensely rewarding. It's a fantastic opportunity to learn, work independently on lab projects, grow personally and professionally, and immerse yourself in different cultures from around the world.