On March 26, 2025, 16 students (3.g) studying Chinese (A-level) from Ikast-Brande Gymnasium STX visited AU to explore the China Studies program. The event, organized by teaching associate professor, Zhang Chun and gymnasium teacher, Margrethe Ellegaard Hansen, aimed to provide insights into the program’s academic environment and raise visibility of language studies among gymnasium students.

Zhang Chun welcomed the students with a brief introduction to the China Studies Program, the student advisor, Ann-Sophia Skjellerup, followed with a detailed presentation on the application process and admission requirements.

At 10:30 a.m., current China Studies students Nicolai Ramlov Nielsen and Artthika Manoharan, who graduated from Ikast-Brande STX in 2023, shared their experiences transitioning from gymnasium to AU. Hanna Gaarsdal Jensen, who was an alumina from Ikast-Brande STX, highlighted her personal experiences as an exchange student at Peking University, emphasizing the benefits of cultural immersion. After a short break, Professor Andreas Steen introduced his research.

Assistant professor, Guan Yue then led a discussion on Danish and Chinese students’ perceptions of democracy. In the afternoon, the gymnasium students joined our trainee Yin Xinyi’s Beginner 2 Conversation class, collaborating with 1st-year university students on communicative tasks.

The visit concluded successfully, leaving the students inspired and informed about the China Studies program.