Chinese Studies Alumnus Accepted to Prestigious Yenching Academy at Peking University

William Anderson (Class of 2022), a double major in Chinese Studies and Economics, has been accepted into the highly selective Yenching Academy at Peking University (燕京学堂). This elite, fully funded master’s program attracts outstanding international students for advanced, interdisciplinary studies of China and is renowned for its rigorous selection process and emphasis on global leadership.

Admitted to the China Studies (Economics and Management) research area, William’s research proposal earned strong praise from the interview committee. His project, “China’s Workforce as the One-Child Policy Ends,” explores how the phased relaxation of family planning policies has shaped women’s labor force participation across age groups and hukou (户口) statuses. By treating fertility and career choices as interconnected, long-term processes, his work enriches ongoing academic and policy discussions on pronatalist measures in China and the broader East Asian context.

A standout in the Chinese Studies program, William excelled in culture, literature, and language courses while actively engaging beyond the classroom. He served as a Resident Assistant in the Chinese Language House, cultivating an immersive language environment, and took on leadership roles in a wide range of campus activities. These experiences have clearly prepared him for the collaborative, interdisciplinary environment at Yenching.

The Yenching Academy fosters mutual understanding between China and the world through its intensive two-year master’s program in China Studies. Yenching Scholars work closely with faculty mentors to design personalized study paths across the humanities and social sciences, while participating in rich extracurricular activities and field-based learning opportunities. The program develops globally minded leaders equipped with nuanced insight into China’s past, present, and future.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to William on this outstanding achievement and look forward to his continued contributions to the field of China studies.