The parents who put their faith in a new university

Yan Wang was in reflective mood as she wrote in her journal on April 9, 2018.

Her daughter Mozhu Zhang, from Hunan province in China, had that day received an email from Duke Kunshan University inviting her to join its very first class of undergraduates.

“Friends advised us to be cautious, saying it is safer to join an older and more established university,” Wang wrote.

“Perhaps we are making a choice only few would make and it takes courage to take the path less traveled.”

Parents from further afield also revealed their nervousness at seeing their teenage children venture across the world to a young university, which although rooted in the traditions of Duke and Wuhan universities did not have an undergraduate class just four years ago.

But in a series of inspirational and life-affirming video messages – submitted to mark the landmark graduation of the Class of 2022 on May 20 – these trailblazing mothers and fathers spoke of how those fears soon washed away.

“I wasn’t so sure when you chose to study far away in China, but you convinced me it would be great – and it was,” Megan Roberts, from the United States, said in her message to son Cullen Peters.

“You traveled the world while you were there, you met friends from everywhere, you had experiences you will never forget.”

Offering a glimpse of students’ DKU journeys from the perspective of their families, the video clips demonstrate the strong emotional investment that so many parents have in its success.

While Duke Kunshan’s reputation for delivering the highest academic standards is now well-established, many parents saw the undergraduate offering back in 2018 as an unknown quantity.

As the first-ever families to tread the DKU undergraduate path, several used their video messages to reflect on how a bold decision proved to be a great one.

The parents of Elarbi Amraoui, from Morocco, said they had “mixed feelings” when he was accepted to DKU – pride in him securing such a distinguished place and sorrow in his departure to a faraway country.

“We are confident that many beautiful things wait for you,” they told him, expressing their deep admiration for how he went about his studies.

“Our congratulations to all the parents and students awarded and our gratitude to DKU and all its staff and faculty who selflessly accompanied the students.”

Oneza Umar, the mother of Hajra Farooqui and Sinan Farooqui from Pakistan, said that while her twins were initially reluctant to attend the same college after going through all other stages of education together, both found the pull of Duke Kunshan too strong.

“They loved their campus, they made great friends across continents and they had wonderful faculty,” she said.

“I’m deeply grateful to the faculty for the hard work they have put in and taking care of our children. As a result, they have become better human beings.”

Based in the liberal arts and sciences tradition, the four-year bachelor’s degree program instills critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and exploration in students, who benefit from the university’s research hub status and the expertise of world-class faculty.

As a Sino-U.S. partnership of Duke University, Wuhan University and Kunshan city in Jiangsu province, DKU provides a truly international learning environment, preparing students not just for careers in specific fields but to become globally sophisticated leaders and citizens.

Alongside heart-warming insights into the family-wide experience of a Duke Kunshan education, parents in their videos delivered inspiring words of encouragement and motivational advice to the graduating students.

The parents of Tong Wu, from Shanghai, urged his class to “look up at the stars, but keep your feet down to earth” as they move onto pastures new.

“The future is yours if you are relentless in the pursuit of your dreams. But having dreams alone is not enough, you must take action,” they said.

“Take proactive action. Be persistent in your pursuit. Don’t be discouraged by setbacks. Let your dreams guide your actions. Saddle up and pursue your dreams. Don’t idle your time away. Ride the wind, cleave the waves and set sail to travel far.”

Visit https://commencement.dukekunshan.edu.cn for our graduation coverage.

Thank you to all the DKU relatives and friends who submitted video messages. You can watch them below:

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