Qingyuan Jiang is an assistant professor of English Literature at Peking University, focusing on English/Irish modernism. He has been published in both Chinese and English journals and is currently working on two projects: one regarding sacred spaces in modernist novels, and another investigating Sino-British literary communities during WWII.
As an international student who had no previous contact with the American midwest, he remembers being made to feel at home at Notre Dame.
The department also impressed me as very emotionally supportive, with a great feeling of solidarity among graduate students.
In the time since Qinyuan's graduation, Notre Dame has continued to cultivate a global educational community. The university currently hosts more than 1,000 international graduate students representing over 100 countries. Scholars from abroad can access social and logistical support through Graduate Student Life and International Student and Scholar Affairs (ISSA).
It's also worth noting that Qingyan graduated with a PhD in Literature rather than a PhD in English. The Literature program is no longer active but is, in many ways, sustained through English program, which continues to support interdisciplinary study. We offer five interdisciplinary minors, and up to three courses outside the department can count toward degree requirements. Current students are taking or have taken courses in Classics, Philosophy, and Theology. Various initiatives, such as the LASER and the Wilsey Distinguished Graduate Fellowship programs, empower collaboration across campus.