During the summer vacation, three postgraduates from the School of Education proactively engaged in educational institutions and academic activities closely related to their majors and future career aspirations. From digital curriculum development and cross-cultural academic exchanges to in-depth cultural studies, they not only tested classroom theories through practice but also deepened their understanding of the essence of education.

The following are frontline observations and reflections from the three students, demonstrating how postgraduates bridge professionalism with practice and create their own summer chapters across diverse educational fields.

Ye Wuhezhe, Master of Education

Internship Unit: Huilongguan School, Beijing No. 161 Middle School (self-initiated, not arranged by the school) Internship Position: Information Center Teacher

Main Responsibilities and Achievements:

1.  Digital Curriculum Framework Construction:

Collaborated with the Information Center team to explore digital adaptation paths for various subjects and participated in designing digital curriculum frameworks for primary science and junior high physics. Tasks included benchmarking advanced domestic and international cases, liaising with resource vendors, improving curriculum standards, and proposing phased implementation goals. 

2.  Intelligent Security System Project:

Participated in the full cycle of the campus intelligent security system, including needs analysis, solution comparison, and implementation. Responsible for data collection, technical benchmarking, vendor communication, and progress reporting, deepening understanding of applications like smart cameras and facial recognition.

3.  AI-Empowered Mental Health Education:

Worked with the Mental Health Center on the use of AI tools for mental health screening, emotion recognition, and personalized counseling. Conducted literature reviews, needs assessments, and prototype design, and participated in data collection and case analysis.

4.  Digital Empowerment for Differentiated Instruction:

Involved in research on digital teaching programs tailored to students’ aptitudes, focusing on learning process data collection, analysis, and personalized learning path design. Contributed to project proposals, literature reviews, and early-stage data analysis.。

Internship Insights: This internship provided a firsthand perspective on the transformative impact of digitalization on basic education. The successful integration of digital curricula and intelligent security systems requires not only technological support but also strategic planning and educational philosophy. The complexity of merging technology and education became evident, underscoring the need for student-centered approaches rooted in scientific, systematic, and practical principles. 

Furthermore, I recognized that the implementation of digital teaching reflects both individual teacher competency and the school’s overall digital literacy development. Sustainable results depend on comprehensive teacher training and ongoing institutional support.

Personal Reflections: The Huilongguan campus fosters a modern and positive environment. The Information Center team’s rigor and collegiality provided guidance and trust throughout project advancement. Daily exchanges with frontline teachers and school leaders enriched my practical experience and improved my ability to bridge theory and practice. This internship enhanced my communication, coordination, and project management skills, and solidified my resolve to further explore educational digitalization.

Shi Yutong, Master of Teaching Studies

As a postgraduate in Teaching Studies, I was honored to attend the 16-day International Summer School at Renmin University of China, an experience that greatly expanded my academic perspective and enriched my cross-cultural learning.

Academic Experience: I enrolled in the course "Social Change and Educational Development," which covered a wide range of topics from curriculum reform and rural education to internationalization. By studying leading scholarship, I gained an appreciation for the tensions between tradition and modernity, equity and efficiency in Chinese education. Discussions of "county high school students" and "small-town exam-takers" illuminated the structural roots of urban–rural disparities and their effects on student opportunity and mobility. English instruction and multicultural dialogue sharpened my academic English and broadened my critical lens.

Cultural Experience: The deep academic heritage of Renmin University, paired with Beijing’s rich history, created a unique learning atmosphere. The summer school’s opening ceremony was especially memorable: students from around the world united in their admiration for Peking Opera and Chinese folk music, transcending cultural boundaries. Exploring Beijing’s historic sites and vibrant neighborhoods offered further insight into the city’s dynamic blend of tradition and modernity. 

Overall, this summer school broadened my understanding of Chinese education and provided a valuable immersion in both academic and cultural life.

Miao Yiran, Doctor of Education

Summer in Jinling: Cultural Immersion Rooted in the Land

In early July in Nanjing, under the shade of plane trees, I participated in the "Meet in Jinling · Affection for China" study camp, organized by the International Exchange and Cooperation Office of the university and Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology. This was not a fleeting excursion, but an immersive journey grounded in cultural exploration.

At the Nanjing Museum, the tangible weight of history came alive in silent bronzes and warm jades—no longer mere textbook images, but artifacts imbued with the wisdom and vitality of past generations. This experience illuminated the true meaning of "inheritance"—not as an abstract notion, but as tangible legacy sustained through generations.

A nighttime cruise on the Qinhuai River, with its poetry and music, brought together students from across the Taiwan Strait. The shared taste of local delicacies and laughter created an unspoken bond, revealing that cultural identity often resides in these everyday experiences and unspoken understanding.

A visit to the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders left an indelible mark. The cold stone walls bore witness to a century of hardship, reminding us that history is the teacher of the future.

Looking over the city from Laomen East, I saw blue-tiled roofs and whitewashed walls blending with modern skyscrapers—a powerful symbol of how culture endures not by clinging to the past, but by confidently engaging with the present. This insight is especially meaningful for students of education contemplating cultural inheritance.

I left Nanjing with souvenirs and, more importantly, profound new insights. The “earthy flavor” of Jinling and the “sea breeze” of Haojiang mingled in my heart, confirming that only when cultural roots are grounded in real experience can they truly flourish. This journey has clarified my path forward in both study and life.