In July and August 2025, two master’s students from the School of Media and Communication (SMC) at Shenzhen University successfully participated in the School’s 2025 Featured Overseas Exchange Program hosted by Michigan State University (MSU) in the United States. The program consisted of two weeks of intensive coursework and one week of cultural immersion, covering topics such as AI-driven data analysis, creative entrepreneurship, and international communication. The experience enabled students to broaden their academic vision and enhance their global competitiveness in an immersive international learning environment.
Academic Exploration and Creative Practice
During their study at MSU, the students experienced the dynamic, discussion-oriented teaching style that characterizes American higher education.
Huiyang Chen, a master’s student in journalism and communication, challenged himself by venturing beyond his disciplinary background. Learning Python proved demanding, but with the guidance of MSU faculty and support from classmates from around the world, he completed a series of programming assignments and significantly strengthened his analytical thinking. The experience also boosted his confidence in applying data-driven methods to storytelling and communication research.
In the Creative Entrepreneurship course, Haitao Jiang worked in a multicultural team to design a promotional campaign for the local Minor League Baseball team, the Lansing Lugnuts. His team proposed a vibrant campaign concept built around “music, family, and community,” aiming to transform a traditional sports event into an inclusive cultural experience. The project showcased not only his creativity but also his growing ability to integrate social insight, intercultural communication, and strategic thinking into real-world promotional work.
Both students noted that the MSU courses encouraged bold thinking and helped translate innovative ideas into actionable plans. They also highlighted the value of empathy, perspective-taking, and effective teamwork—core competencies for future media and communication professionals.
Cultural Experience and Social Observation
Beyond academics, the students were deeply impressed by MSU’s open, nature-rich campus. They described its expansive green spaces, friendly wildlife—from squirrels to Canadian geese—and the glow of fireflies on summer nights as a vivid reflection of harmony between the nature and academic life.
Through a series of cultural excursions, the students visited prominent political, scientific, and cultural sites, including the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB), Michigan State Capitol, the White House, Lincoln Memorial, Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, and Niagara Falls. These visits offered firsthand exposure to the diversity and complexity of American society.
The students noted that engaging in cross-cultural dialogue and observation deepened their understanding of global communication, enhanced their cultural empathy, and encouraged reflection on their own cultural identities and roles as future media practitioners.
Personal Growth and Program Impact
Reflecting on the experience, the students agreed that the MSU summer program was far more than an academic exchange—it was a transformative journey of personal development. Over three weeks, they strengthened their collaboration skills, broadened their global perspectives, and formed lasting friendships with peers from around the world. Most importantly, they stepped outside their comfort zones and gained confidence in navigating multicultural environments.
The MSU summer exchange program is an integral part of SMC’s global training strategy. Through overseas study and collaboration, SMC empowers students to develop both professional expertise and intercultural competence, preparing them to become globally minded communication professionals. The School will continue to deepen its partnerships with MSU and other world-renowned universities, providing more high-quality platforms for overseas learning and joint talent cultivation.
