My time at Guanghua School of Management's PhD program has been nothing short of outstanding. The university's meticulous organization and exceptional facilities have played a pivotal role in elevating my academic and personal growth. One of the key factors to success here are my Chinese peers. Since we are facing cultural differences, we rely on support of the staff and the peers. Thus, they have not only been instrumental in helping me surmount cultural and language barriers but have also become cherished friends. Furthermore, the extensive array of extracurricular and free-time activities on offer is nothing less than impressive. From cultural events to sports and diverse clubs and societies, there's something to cater to everyone's interests. In conclusion, my first impressions have been very very positive, thanks to the university's excellent support system, state-of-the-art facilities, and the camaraderie of my fellow students. I am looking forward to the upcoming phases of my academic pursuit at Guanghua School of Management. This said, I highly recommend the Guanghua PhD.

Guanghua PhD program provides me with a rich setting for collaboration and exploration. In addition to getting detailed guidance from the faculty, we also learn from each other in a creative and reciprocal community. I embark on a challenging and interesting academic journey here, constantly exploring novel ideas and complex questions.

​It is always a wonderful experience when something you were looking forward to exceeds all of your expectations, and I can confidently say that I’ve been having a wonderful experience at Guanghua. The overwhelming support we receive aside, the quality of seminars, papers, and discussions I’ve had so far have been extremely helpful in my journey to develop as a researcher and as an academic. The university also gives students plenty of choice when it comes to extracurricular activities, so life on campus overall has also been quite fulfilling. This is not my first time living in China, so cultural differences haven’t really been an impediment to my enjoyment of the country. From Heilongjiang to Guangzhou and to Gansu, I’ve travelled and seen plenty already, which gives me more time to focus on my studies and more context to understand how what I study is applicable to the Chinese context. Even if that were not the case, our diverse cohort, with Chinese students from all over the country and with international students, also gives me plenty of opportunity to learn from and share with students from diverse backgrounds. This experience has not been easy, but easy wasn’t the reason I came here. I came here to become one of the best in my field, and the Guanghua School of Management is giving me all the tools I could possibly need to do so.

Guanghua professors help me to find my voice in academic research. I'm Khoa Tran, a Research Master (Pre-doctoral Program) from the Department of Strategic Management & International Business. My research passion at Guanghua revolves around creating a social innovation ecosystem that effectively nurtures sustainable and impact-driven startups in frontier and emerging economies. I've chosen Guanghua as my doctoral studies destination for three compelling reasons: First, let's talk about my fascination with China as a research playground for investigating the impact of investments in emerging economies. It's a country that pulses with innovation, especially in the realm of green technologies like electric cars and climate-energy transitions. Such active engagement in green investment and green innovation by both the private and public sectors deliver many fruitful and unfruitful results - allowing the data for me to learn the strategies of effective impact investments. Among all the business schools in China, Guanghua stands out as my top choice due to its English-speaking-friendly programs and the extensive industry connections our professors maintain. When I got here, Guanghua was not just a program; it was a vibrant intellectual adventure. From day one, we dive into the world of independent research. Our professors are like beacons of support, helping us craft research proposals, and igniting our scholarly voice right in the first semester. They also encourage us to explore the treasure troves of top publications (the UT’24), polishing our academic writing skills to a shine. Lastly, as a traveler and student who has explored over 16 countries across 4 continents in the last 5 years, I'm particularly eager to delve into China's cultural richness. During my time here, I've ventured to Inner Mongolia, experienced horseback riding, and camel rides, and immersed myself in Chinese culture. Each month is a new chapter in my cultural exploration. I've got big plans to hop on a train or plane to visit other captivating parts of China, like Hong Kong, Macau, and Shenzhen. And who knows, maybe in five years, I'll be conversing fluently in Chinese, opening up even more doors to this historically rich country.

My decision to pursue a PhD in Finance at Guanghua School of Management was driven by a passion for learning and a deep appreciation for the academic rigor that characterizes this renowned institution. The program's commitment to excellence is evident in every aspect, from the world-class faculty to the cutting-edge research opportunities that it provides. The dedication to fostering a stimulating academic environment has truly fueled my intellectual curiosity and enabled me to delve into innovative research. One of the aspects that sets Guanghua apart is its unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of knowledge. The emphasis on groundbreaking research and innovative thinking has allowed me to explore new frontiers in Finance, challenging conventional wisdom and contributing to the evolution of the field. The collaborative and intellectually stimulating atmosphere among fellow students and faculty members has been playing a pivotal role in shaping my academic perspective. Beyond the academic realm, the overall beauty of Peking University is truly captivating. The campus seamlessly blends modern architecture with traditional Chinese aesthetics, providing an inspiring backdrop for academic pursuits. The serene landscapes, coupled with state-of-the-art facilities, create an environment conducive to both focused study and creative thinking. The multicultural environment, coupled with the warmth and support of the university community, has made this journey, so far, truly unforgettable.

Guanghua PhD program offers an abundance of opportunities to attend high-level academic conferences held domestically and internationally. In 2019, with the support of Guanghua and my supervisor, I attended an academic conference in Boston, United States. It was quite a rewarding experience to present my research to the world-famous scholars and academics as well as connect with the greatest scientific community globally.

As a PhD student at Guanghua, I am very excited about the coming years of the program. Studying at Guanghua is both academically rigorous and culturally enriching. Being based at Guanghua, you will meet many of China’s top scholars, but also have access to the wealth of resources from Peking University. However, amongst a sea of giants, you will not be forgotten. GSM’s PHD program is a smaller subgroup of the school. Since it is a close-knit program, students are empowered to take an active role in their own education. A PhD is a long journey, but I believe with the nurturing environment of Guanghua my PhD journey will be an unforgettable and fruitful experience.

Here at Guanghua, I have had a fruitful and enriching experience as I kickstart my career in management research! I have gained - and continue to gain - much knowledge and insight, not just learning about the state of the art in various research areas, but also in the development of my own ideas. This from the opportunity to interact with, and learn from, talented, approachable, and well-published professors, who have been happy to share useful tips and advice on how to succeed in a management research career. Not to mention empathetic and helpful fellow students on whom I can rely for encouragement and support as we strive on our academic journeys together. Beyond the rigorous academics, the wider support ecosystem is fantastic. The administrative staff are kind, helpful, and ready to assist, and there are plentiful resources and collaboration opportunities for conducting research. Not to mention the rich and colorful school life, whilst being immersed in a beautiful campus, that makes for a fun and enjoyable education to top it all off! For that, I am truly grateful to the faculty, staff, school, and university for this opportunity. I hope to see you around!

My Ph.D. journey so far at the Guanghua School of Management has been a challenging yet promising endeavor. The classes at Guanghua will challenge Ph.D. students to look at various topics in management research differently. Sitting in a classroom with both international and Chinese students and getting to know diverse perspectives is an incredible and holistic experience. Whether through lectures, or seminars with faculties from China and abroad, the learning environment is great at Guanghua, where every week we discuss and explore recent literature or issues surrounding management research. Yet life at Guanghua isn’t limited to only academia, as there are various student clubs and fairs around the university that make campus life very enriching. I highly recommend Guanghua to students who are strongly interested in academic research on management topics surrounding China and the world.

The PhD program has been better than imaginably possible, Guanghua School of Management facilities and overall PKU infrastructure are top-notch, classes and materials provide excellent insights into advanced themes, and there are also great opportunities for networking and building future business relationships. PKU Campus is surely one of the most beautiful in the world and just by walking through it you may find amazing places and friendships. I barely began and already feel and know that I'll be able to accomplish all and more than I intended in this program.