In 2026, the dual master's program between Tsinghua University and RWTH Aachen celebrates its 25th anniversary. As Tsinghua's first double degree program, it has enabled nearly a thousand students to journey between the Tsinghua campus and the Rhine River over the past quarter-century. I was fortunate enough to be one of them, and through two vastly different academic experiences, I completely reshaped myself.
My days at Tsinghua were defined by a pursuit of focus and depth. I was accustomed to refining data under the laboratory lights and striving for perfection through meticulous revisions of my papers. However, the real culture shock began only when I arrived in Aachen, carrying this very sense of Chinese-style rigor.
I still vividly remember one astounding course examination: the exam paper was nearly 20 pages long, lasted a full four hours, and demanded an almost unforgiving breadth and depth of knowledge. What shocked me even more was seeing some German students, realizing near the end of the exam that they couldn't guarantee a perfect score, resolutely cross out all their answers to wait for a retake. In that moment, I was profoundly moved. European students were not as "laid-back" as rumored; their pursuit of excellence was just as fervent. This reverence for knowledge and yearning for perfection deeply influenced my subsequent approach to research.
It was also my first time traveling far from home alone. I had assumed that the punctuality of Germany's high-speed trains and buses would guarantee smooth travels, but when I actually stood on a street corner needing to ask for directions in my halting German, anxiety instantly set in. Yet, it was precisely these "awkward" moments of speaking up that unlocked my potential. From stammering to communicating fluently, language ceased to be a barrier and became a bridge connecting me to the world.
My time in Germany coincided with the European refugee crisis. As a highly developed country with a strong welfare system, Germany's society demonstrated a level of tolerance that moved me. In newspapers, magazines, and on the streets, the kindness and acceptance people showed toward refugees gave me a profound understanding of the "light of humanity." At the same time, opposing views were also expressed and debated with structure and logic. This multicultural environment greatly broadened my perspective, teaching me to understand different groups and cultures with a more inclusive mindset.
This experience also completely altered my career trajectory. I had originally assumed that after earning my doctorate, my only options were a postdoctoral position or a faculty role. However, through an internship at a major European corporation, I witnessed the intricate workings of the manufacturing and supply chains firsthand. I discovered that the industrial world also requires rigorous scientific thinking to solve practical problems. This realization emboldened me to explore, and I ultimately found my ideal position in the consumer electronics industry, making the leap from the academic ivory tower to the front lines of industry.
Beyond my studies, my travels in Europe—from the snow-capped peaks of the Alps to the warm sun of the Mediterranean—not only enriched my life but also became beautiful footnotes in my life's story.
Looking back, I am grateful for this program, which gave me a complete and rigorous dual experience and allowed me to discern my life's direction from different perspectives. Back then, I didn't do much due diligence; I joined the program simply out of interest and discovered it to be a brave experiment of youth. In this experiment, I experienced cultural collisions, faced academic challenges, and felt the pulse of industry. When I look back now, I am filled with gratitude and cherished memories.
By Li Haoyu, Class of 2021
