On the 29th of July, Birkbeck welcomed twenty students to London from the Southwestern University of Finance and Economics (SWUFE) of Chengdu, China. These students were the first to arrive and experience Birkbeck’s student lifestyle as part of the joint bachelor’s degree programme between Birkbeck and SWUFE.
“From their cultural ‘English Insights’ classes to punting on the river Cam, the SWUFE students were exposed to everything British, everything Birkbeck and more.”
On a sunny Monday afternoon, Andrea Williams, William Richards and Xiaohong Chen greeted the arriving students at Heathrow airport; jet-lagged and bleary-eyed from their twelve-hour flight. With a quick stop-off at the student halls and a welcoming tour of Bloomsbury, the Summer School swung into action from day one.
For two weeks, the visiting SWUFE students experienced the beauty of Bloomsbury, the inclusive Birkbeck student lifestyle and the wider wonders of London. From their cultural ‘English Insights’ classes to punting on the river Cam, the SWUFE students were exposed to everything British, everything Birkbeck and more.
During their first full day in London, the SWUFE students received a ceremonial welcoming from Professors Philip Powell and Kevin Ibeh. Shortly after the formalities however, a red 1960s Routemaster bus gave the SWUFE students a whirlwind tour of London’s sights.
“A red 1960s Routemaster bus gave the SWUFE students a whirlwind tour of London’s sights.”
As part of the two-week programme, Ms Narelle Hassell presented a series of guest lectures surrounding British culture and ‘English Insights’. SWUFE students were exposed to cockney rhyming slang, Punch & Judy, Sherlock Holmes and even the British obsession with pubs. As a point of order, the students were then treated to an evening at The Marquis Cornwallis where they sampled British ‘pub grub’ and a pint besides Russel Square. Fish and chips certainly proved popular!
To compliment Narelle’s fascinating lecture series, the students were guided in exploring several iconic sites in England; the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace, the grounds of the Tower of London, the Greenwich observatory at sunset and a day exploring the enchanting streets and waterways of Cambridge. A spectacular ride on the London Eye topped-off the outings with the students having their own BBK x SWUFE capsule.
Birkbeck’s academics and alumni equally played a key role in shaping the SWUFE experience during the Summer School. Guest lectures from Dr Geoff Walters, Ms Andrea Picazo and the Birkbeck Students’ Union gave the SWUFE students an insight into academic seminars, student support services, and extra-curricular activities on campus. Practicalities were covered too; London’s employability and the range of student housing options were presented by Ms Catherine Charpentier and Ms Lucy Crittenden.
Whilst the two-week programme allowed the SWUFE students to explore London and enjoy a taste of the Birkbeck student experience, their real adventure begins in the Autumn of 2020 for a full year of studies with Birkbeck. In wishing farewell, each of the students were presented with a certificate and a unique Birkbeck gift at this year’s closing ceremony in the Keynes Library. A fabulous high tea at the British Museum then saw them through to the end of this year’s summer school.
“The real adventure begins in the autumn of 2020 for a full year of studies with Birkbeck.”
The BBK x SWUFE Summer School has proved to be an instant hit as Birkbeck and SWUFE develop their special partnership. Andrea Williams and the School of Business, Economics and Informatics would like to thank all students and staff who helped in making this a summer school to remember.
As for 2020, the bar has been set high…
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