Lian Yun Pang. Ph.D. Lecturer of Chinese Language, Language and Culture Center, Duke Kunshan University.
Student Assistant
Byerikbol Yerbol (严勇)
Class of 2028 | Material Science (Chemistry track) |
Hi, my name is Beck. I’m from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and my second home is in Michigan, USA. Although I study Natural Sciences, I’ve always been passionate about the Humanities– history, cultural studies, creative writing, and music.
At DKU, I spend much of my time writing poetry. I also serve as co-president of DKUMSA, an editor for LilyPad newspaper, a Chemistry Peer Tutor, and a proud member of DKU A Cappella. In my free time, I enjoy playing badminton, practicing pilates, and occasionally volleyball.
I’m an avid tea drinker and enjoy brick, green, oolong, white, and recently, Thai tea. Taking the time to make my own drink helps me slow down, focus, and work more mindfully.
Through this RA role, I hope to share my appreciation for Chinese tea culture and explore its rich traditions. My long-term goals at DKU include publishing my poetry book and honing my Chinese language skill to read Yu Hua’s work in its original language.
Jiachen Wu (吴家琛)
Class of 2026 | Global Health (Biology track)
My name is Jiachen Wu, and I am from Hunan, China. From an early age, I have carried a deep curiosity about the interplay between nature, culture, and the ways humans perceive the world. They drew me to explore how traditions shape not only belief but also communication and mutual understanding across societies. Reaching beyond boundaries, whether intellectual or cultural, has always been my pursuit.
I hold deep gratitude for my homeland that nourished me, being the Grindstone that has shaped me, and the Threshing Floor that receives my harvest. It is from this place that I hope to invite the world to encounter its splendor and its people with authenticity and openness.
I have served as both a Peer Tutor in humanities courses and a Research Assistant, experiences that refined my commitment to interdisciplinary exploration across religion, philosophy, and cultural exchange. I hope our activities series, through the embodied customs like tea, could help people to know more about Chinese culture, from both books and lives. Moreover, I hope to push the boundaries of understanding and help people from different backgrounds to discover our underlying connection.
