I am Dan Zhu, a Chinese student from Shanghai University of Finance and Economics and an academic-year visiting student in the Berkeley Haas Global Access Program. Nestled within the illustrious halls of Haas—renowned as one of the premier business schools globally—I have met with a confluence of exceptional professors, intellectually stimulating courses and peers whose brilliance knows no bounds.

Going to such a prestigious school, having so many extraordinary experiences, and being able to pick up so much lifelong advice and cherished friends has exceeded all of my pre-trip expectations. I can't wait to share my experience and story with you, and I hope it will help more students who want to choose this Berkeley visiting-student program.

In less than a year, I feel that many of my experiences have become some of the best memories of my first 20 years of my life. Youth is all about experimenting, challenging and surpassing in order to get out of your comfort zone and gain valuable experiences!

Going to such a prestigious school, having so many extraordinary experiences, and being able to pick up so much lifelong advice and cherished friends has exceeded all of my pre-trip expectations.

A Link to Life's Classroom Experience

Delving into the opportunities and choices within Silicon Valley enterprises through vivid case analyses in the Opportunity Recognition class.

Honing negotiation skills essential for life and work through engaging role-play scenarios in the Negotiation and Conflict Resolution class.

Authentically crafting entrepreneurial ideas and company prototypes through dialogues with successful company founders in the Introduction to Entrepreneurship class.

Each meticulously designed class at Haas spotlights professors' ingenuity in curriculum design and their expectation for students to apply theory into practice, allowing us to truly experience the integration of learning in life and life into learning.

In classes like Thriving at Haas and Beyond and Equitable and Inclusive Leadership, we engage in exchanges with our peers from around the world, fostering understanding and embracing diversity, thus realizing the rich nature of life.

I recall classmates sharing experiences of their multicultural education, having studied in countries such as Switzerland, Germany, Japan and the United States during their undergraduate years to enrich knowledge and experiences.

Some were balancing roles as fashion models and photographers alongside their studies, adding a touch of magic and diversity to their lives. Others were pursuing entrepreneurship while studying in Berkeley, already establishing successful ventures with friends and now broadening their horizons through Haas' curriculum by connecting with superior alumni resources.

Some have started families and careers, becoming fathers while studying here in Berkeley, relishing the joy of acquiring knowledge and parenthood simultaneously.

The diversity and breadth of my classmates' experiences and perspectives astonish me, and simultaneously remind me that life is an expanse, where nothing can impede our progress.

I also recall in the Equitable and Inclusive Leadership class, the professor invited a guest speaker who is a Haas alumni and now a CEO of a startup and a rap artist to share his story. When I asked how he defines his life in those multi-aspects, he replied, "What you are doing now is building your life. It's like swimming in the ocean but swim with a root. You can always find yourself an anchor and do anything."

This resonates with Haas' principle of Beyond Yourself and all the sentiments I have experienced here. I have come to understand that irrespective of our qualifications, age, nationality or background, we are free to explore our dreams and future.

Each meticulously designed class at Haas spotlights professors' ingenuity in curriculum design and their expectation for students to apply theory into practice, allowing us to truly experience the integration of learning in life and life into learning.

Exceptionally Novel Extracurricular Activities

At Haas, we regularly invite academically accomplished alumni or industry leaders to deliver lectures, and organize frequent visits to various companies in Silicon Valley and the greater San Francisco Bay Area.

Whether understanding Visa's future investment directions in San Francisco or witnessing a plethora of familiar gaming IPs at Twitch, we are awestruck by the inclusivity and developmental prowess of the Bay Area. In Berkeley, we can witness students basking in the sun while reading on the lawn or engaging in sports activities on the playground amidst the twilight's glow. Enjoying nature, life and oneself emits a signal of rejuvenation within this healing-centric campus. Upon arriving in Berkeley, you are bound to fall in love with its beautiful campus and diverse extracurricular activities.

Apart from required courses, I opted for various sports classes in Berkeley, including tap dance, ballet, hip-hop and boxing to enrich my experience here. These diverse and undoubtedly entertaining courses not only enhance my self-improvement through physical exercise and skill acquisition, but they also introduce me to many interesting local students and amiable professors.

Simultaneously, I joined the Drama Club among hundreds of other clubs on campus and staged an immersive theater performance at the end of the semester after weekly rehearsals collaborated with Berkeley undergraduates.

I also enrolled in Poker Decal course offered by Berkeley students, participating actively in online and offline Texas Hold'Em matches with friends. Sometimes I choose to go night hiking with friends to Big C, releasing stress while enjoying Berkeley's beautiful night scenery.

Here, everyone's life is uniquely their own. In California, in Berkeley, I have truly grasped the essence of "play hard, work hard."

Upon arriving in Berkeley, you are bound to fall in love with its beautiful campus and diverse extracurricular activities.

Unforgettable Life Journey Memories—Beyond Berkeley

The swaying tropical rainforests and snorkeling in the biodiversity of island life in Hawaii.

Savoring lobsters and experiencing the atmosphere of prestigious universities in Boston.

Traversing the Walk of Fame and Hollywood Park and experiencing the cultural confidence of Los Angeles.

Witnessing dazzling performances in glamorous Las Vegas.

Scaling the bustling heights of New York.

Indulging in the fantasy world of Walt Disney World.

Embarking on scenic train rides over 30 hours to witness the auroras amidst the harsh snows of Alaska with friends.

I have lost count of the beautiful places and countless amazing stories I've encountered over the past year.

Becoming a "traveling soldier" during vacations, exploring numerous delicacies and scenic wonders, and broadening horizons with friends have been among the most worthwhile things to share during my studies here. To me, traveling 10,000 miles is as crucial as reading 10,000 books, which embodies the spirit of free exploration that I learned in class.

Every time I flip through those unforgettable photos or recall those moments of ecstatic travel, I feel immense excitement and happiness. Traveling is the first step I took in opening the world's book, and using my steps to measure it is my vow to enrich life. Harvesting in learning, growing in travel—this is probably the most satisfying answer I can offer for this visiting-student study opportunity.

Undoubtedly, this experience at Berkeley, at BHGAP, has become the most important and enriching chapter in my life journey. Thank you, Berkeley! I will carry the knowledge and experiences I have gained here forward, bravely exploring life continiously!