Writing My Berkeley Chapter

Before coming to Berkeley, philosophy was already central to how I understood the world and to the work I wanted to create.

My interest began in secondary school, when I wrote a book about the history of philosophy and started reading Kant. At first, his work felt almost impossible to read, but that challenge was exactly what attracted me. I became interested in the pursuit of knowledge and rigorous thinking, and I began imagining philosophy as something I could pursue throughout my life.

When my home university introduced an opportunity to study through the Berkeley Global Access Program for the Spring 2026 semester, I saw a chance to experience a different academic environment before pursuing graduate study.

Once I learned that Berkeley would allow me to choose courses across many disciplines, the program sounded like a perfect chance to learn.

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Berkeley taught me to keep exploring, remain open to other people’s ideas and try to pursue what I genuinely want to do.

Finding New Possibilities in My Studies

At Berkeley, philosophy remained my emphasis, but I also took Special Topics in Visual Arts (ART 160), Aesthetics as Critique (COMLIT C221), Interpreting the Queer Past: Methods and Problems in the History of Sexuality (LGBT 145) and Brilliance of Berkeley (LS 110).

I wanted those classes to expand both my research and my perspective.

My graduate-level courses were especially different from what I had experienced before at Xinjiang Normal University. Rather than simply teaching foundational knowledge, my professors encouraged me to explore what I could create with it.

My art professor, for example, encouraged me to publish my books, develop my own art projects and think about my future possibilities. That advice became an important part of an extraordinarily productive period for me: I published five books during my time at Berkeley!

Berkeley also changed the way I approach writing. My classes required extensive reading, writing and discussion, often pushing me to formulate ideas quickly and consider perspectives different from my own. Reading the work of my professors also challenged me to think differently about my own creative practice. Their writing helped me reconsider how I would imagine my work, the structure, even the words I chose.

While taking classes, I worked on a book entirely about Berkeley. I completed the book during my program and later self-published it on Amazon.

But I don't see the book as a finished reflection on an experience that has ended. Instead, it is something I want to revisit and build upon.

What I wrote at Berkeley actually began to inspire me in a new way. I saw all of these interesting things I hadn’t had the chance to see for a long time, and then I became inspired and that experience keeps inspiring me.

That is how I think about Berkeley now: Not as an ending, but more as a beginning.

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Finding Inspiration Beyond the Classroom

Some of my most important learning happened outside of class.

My weekends were busy exploring Berkeley and San Francisco. I visited galleries—including SFMOMA and the Legion of Honor—traveled throughout the United States and discovered new activities. I even learned to surf and kayak, experiences I had not previously had the opportunity to try.

Traveling helped me communicate with others and see how other people live on the other side of the world. Meeting professors, students and other creative people throughout the Bay Area continually introduced me to new ideas.

Those experiences began appearing in my art.

After returning home, I created several paintings inspired by Berkeley, including works depicting the Campanile and Philosophy Hall, my favorite building on campus. One painting of the Berkeley campus measures approximately 60 by 80 centimeters.

Continuing to Explore

My next goal is graduate school. I am considering a master’s degree or Ph.D. in philosophy, where I can receive more systematic training, learn from more professors and continue developing my ideas.

But I also want to see how my writing changes along the way.

Before Berkeley, I felt that much of my writing followed a similar style and explored similar questions. After Berkeley, I saw more opportunities. Now I want my writing to evolve as I continue learning.

I expect Berkeley will continue appearing in my books and paintings—sometimes consciously and sometimes without realizing it. The places I visited, conversations I had, ideas I encountered and people I met have become part of my creative perspective.

Berkeley taught me to keep exploring, remain open to other people’s ideas and try to pursue what I genuinely want to do.

My advice to future students is similar: Relax and keep exploring.

You will discover more possibilities as long as you keep exploring. The Bay Area can offer everything.