On February 12, 2025, the day of the Lantern Festival, the Tsinghua-SAIS Dual Degree Program (TSDM) held an alumni reception at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center in Washington, D.C. Alumni from the first to the ninth cohort, current students, and professors gathered for a reunion, sharing their learning and professional experiences from around the world.
The event was joined by Professor Tang Xiaoyang, Director of the Department of International Relations at Tsinghua University. Professor Tang brought traditional Lantern Festival desserts from China. Director Jaime Warren of the Office of Academic Advising at JHU SAIS was also present at the reunion. They engaged warmly with the alumni, listened to their personal and professional journeys, offered valuable insights on academic and career development, and exchanged views on the program’s development.
During the discussion, Professor Tang encouraged students to take advantage of the valuable resources and opportunities during the academic years they spent abroad. He emphasized the importance of understanding local cultures, actively engaging with faculty and students, and enhancing cross-cultural communication skills and global competencies. He also urged students to explore diverse career paths in international organizations, think tanks, and private enterprises to better leverage their expertise in contributing to international affairs and global governance.
Additionally, Professor Tang encouraged current students to maximize the resources the TSDM program offers and actively engage with the strong alumni network. He advised them to seek guidance from alumni, learn from others’ experiences, and broaden their horizons. He also recommended setting clear career goals according to personal strengths and interests. This would help students prepare for the vast opportunities of the global stage and ensure steady progress toward their professional aspirations.
The attending alumni expressed their joy in reuniting with Professor Tang and fellow students. The reception provided an opportunity to forge new friendships and expand professional networks. Everyone looked forward to regular alumni events to strengthen ties within the TSDM community and support future cohorts with shared experiences and mentorship.
At the end of the event, participants took a group photo to capture the cherished memories. Under the flickering lantern lights and joyful conversations, this special reunion made the Lantern Festival more meaningful and heartwarming.
Editors｜Jikai Fu, Zihan Yang, Xin Han, Junhan Yang
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