Editor’s note:
This story is part of DKU Family Letters, a series that invites Duke Kunshan families to reflect on their children’s experiences and growth. In this story, the parents of Sara Salazar and Ally Salazar, sisters in the Class of 2028, share how their daughters’ decision to study in China became a journey of growth for the whole family.
A decision made together
When our older daughter, Sara, was applying to college, Duke Kunshan University naturally appealed to her.
From left to right: Ally, Sara, and their parents.
She and her younger sister, Ally, had studied Mandarin for 10 years in the United States, and both had developed a deep interest in China. For Sara, the idea of studying at Duke Kunshan felt like a natural next step.
Knowing how selective the university was, we agreed that she could apply. When she was accepted, though, my husband said he was not ready to let her go by herself to study abroad. Sara took it very hard, but she eventually accepted our decision and went on to study and live on campus at a school in the U.S.
The following year, in September 2023, Ally was completing her college applications. This time, we decided as a family to let both daughters apply to Duke Kunshan together. We chose Early Decision, and as a family, we were all in.
When we found out in December that they had both been accepted, we began making plans to support their studies in China by moving as a family to Kunshan.
It took a lot of work and coordination. There were many details to manage, from moving across countries to settling into a new home. But we do not regret the decision.
Learning beyond the classroom
Since arriving at Duke Kunshan, we have seen our daughters grow in ways that go far beyond the classroom.
Because they are fluent in Mandarin, they have to help us with household tasks, such as rental contracts, buying a car, medical appointments and other everyday needs. They are not only learning through their coursework at Duke Kunshan. They are also learning how to handle adult responsibilities in another language and in a foreign country.
Learning is happening every day in everything they do.
Duke Kunshan’s small community has also given them a more personalized experience. We can see how the university’s focus on research has influenced them. They are assisting with professors’ research and beginning to plan their own research projects.
They regularly share with us their professors’ journeys, backgrounds and stories from class. It is clear that the professors care about their students, and that their teaching has shaped and inspired our daughters.
The expectations are high, and the academic rigor is real. We regularly remind our daughters that anything truly worthwhile can be expected to be difficult.
Independent, but not alone
Our family support situation is unique. Every weekend, our daughters come to our apartment in Kunshan, and we have the chance to catch up on the week. We talk about what they are learning, their course selections, requirements, assignments and the situations they are navigating.
We also cook them food from home. They enjoy having their own shower and bedrooms for the weekend.
While they are on campus, they are completely independent. I believe in providing scaffolding for young adults so they can learn adult responsibilities and decision-making with support and guidance. We are grateful for the opportunity to be alongside them as they have new experiences, travel and learning opportunities.
They are on their own, but we are nearby. For us, it is a good balance between independence and guidance.
A wider view of the world
One of the greatest gains from studying at Duke Kunshan has been their international-mindedness. That is what really sets this experience apart.
From international classmates and professors to the ability to live and travel in China and Asia, the global knowledge and understanding they have gained so far is irreplaceable. This opportunity has changed the way they see the world and think about their future, and it is something they will always be proud of and remember fondly.
We try to support everything we can. Every time support them by attending basketball games, attending a presentation or inviting friends to our home, we are reminded how satisfied we are with our current situation and how grateful we are to experience this stage of life with them.
Of course, we understand that not all parents have the willingness or ability to move to China as we did. But we wholeheartedly recommend that parents feel confident in their child’s decision to study at Duke Kunshan.
From our experience, Duke Kunshan provides a supportive, positive environment for this special time in a young adult’s life. Kunshan has felt safe, orderly and welcoming, which has given us a great deal of peace of mind as parents.
Looking ahead, we hope our daughters will finish their bachelor’s degrees on a strong note. They are already building strong resumes through research, extracurricular activities, on-campus work experience, all of which will help them take the next step in life. They plan to apply to graduate school after Duke Kunshan.
For our family, Duke Kunshan has become more than a university. It has become part of our shared story.
Our daughters are growing, learning and becoming more independent. As parents, we are learning too: how to support them, how to give them space and how to stay close enough to help while allowing them to build their own lives.
