Ninth ACULAC Beijing Fair Helps Families Explore Liberal Arts Education
On May 31, Beijing Academy's main campus hosted the Beijing event of the ninth ACULAC Liberal Arts College Fair. Current students and alumni, along with admissions officers representing 25 top liberal arts colleges, met families interested in liberal arts education. More than 1,000 people registered, and the venue was filled with lively conversation. Parents said they learned a great deal, while students gained a clearer sense of their options through discussions with admissions officers and college students, as well as parents.
Exploring Liberal Arts Education
The program offered five perspectives on liberal arts education through keynote speeches, a student panel, One Word Per School presentations, a parent forum, and a college fair.
Dr. Zhou Hui, Vice Principal of Beijing Academy, opened the event by welcoming ACULAC and the overseas college representatives, along with students and parents. Founded in 2013, Beijing Academy pursues an international outlook and modern education of high quality, guided by its motto, “Better Me, Better World.” She noted that the international curriculum has approximately one teacher for every five students. Its intimate learning environment shares the emphasis that liberal arts colleges place on developing the whole person through small classes and close relationships with teachers. Members of the school's seventh graduating class this year have chosen colleges they hoped to attend, including Carleton College and Wesleyan University.
Keynote: Educating the Whole Person
Wellesley College alumna Gab Liu then shared what liberal arts education meant to her: “At a liberal arts college, we are encouraged to develop as whole people. We read Liang Sicheng's work and computer code, conduct experiments and write poetry. Philosophy develops our critical thinking, while art history introduces us to civilizations. Learning to ask questions and investigate them, and to devise solutions, has a profound influence on our lives.” She also described her impression of Beijing Academy: “I deeply admire the school's commitment to Better Me, Better World and its respect for every child's individuality and potential. These values align with liberal arts education. Beijing Academy helps students establish a foundation and continue growing in much the same way.”
Student Panel: Experiences of College Life
Current students and graduates from different liberal arts colleges shared their experiences. Rhodes College alumna Thea Li Xinwei reflected: “My college gave me curiosity about the world and courage to try new things, along with a strong ability to learn and adapt. In the age of AI, liberal arts colleges develop abilities that will remain difficult to replace: judgment and aesthetic sensibility, expression and empathy, and the ability to connect different fields. I am grateful I attended a liberal arts college. I would love to do it again.”
One Word Per School: Students Introduce Their Colleges
In the popular One Word Per School segment, each student representative had one minute to introduce a defining word for their college. Their presentations covered academic life and campus traditions, location and community culture, offering concise impressions of each institution. A Beijing Academy Class of 2026 graduate preparing to attend Wesleyan University returned with two affiliations: “Representing Wesleyan at my own high school feels special. This is the fair's ninth year, and many classmates and I first discovered and chose our colleges through ACULAC events. The fair has become part of our stories. Looking at the students and parents asking questions, I recognized myself at different points during high school. I can share my reflections on going through that process.”
Parent Forum: Watching Children Grow
Wang Ying, who holds a doctorate in engineering and is the mother of a Wesleyan University Class of 2021 graduate, moderated the parent forum. Parents of current students and graduates discussed the changes they had observed after their children entered liberal arts colleges. Liu Feifei, mother of a Wellesley College Class of 2027 student, said: “The biggest change I saw was my daughter learning to take responsibility for herself. Her college teaches her to ask good questions and seek her own answers.” The frank discussion included difficulties and offered attending parents practical perspectives and emotional support.
College Fair: Conversations with Students and Admissions Officers
The closing college fair gave families opportunities for individual, detailed conversations at college booths. Current student representatives discussed curricula and dormitory life, research opportunities and internships, as well as employment, adding concrete firsthand detail to information on college websites. Sun Tie, Deputy Director of International Admissions at Rhodes College, and Mo Lingfeng, Director of Asian Admissions and College Relations at Bard College, also attended to answer families' questions.
Volunteers Reflect on What They Learned
Zheng Keyue, representing Minerva University's Class of 2030, shared his perspective: “The event helped me understand how outstanding Chinese high school students think about education. Alongside college reputation and rankings, they increasingly consider approaches to learning and international perspectives, as well as personal growth. That fits closely with Minerva's philosophy. I also noticed improvements in my own communication. Representing the university made me more excited about life at Minerva and deepened my understanding of education. Every sincere conversation can offer an opportunity to learn. I hope more events like ACULAC will help students find paths suited to them. I introduced Minerva while reflecting on what the university offers me. Thank you to ACULAC and the school for this opportunity, and to every student and parent who stopped to listen.”
Beijing Academy volunteer Dai Nuo described her thoughts about innovative universities: “The freedom offered by liberal arts colleges encompasses thought and action. As a volunteer, I began engaging in shared reflection while explaining information. When curious parents and students approached, we considered questions together: Who am I? How do I engage with this complex world? Thank you to ACULAC for helping me discover the possibilities within a university and understand myself more clearly.”
The Organizers Thank Their Partners
ACULAC core team member Wang Qiuyu recalled the day: “Students were still asking questions at the booths as the fair approached its end. Beijing Academy volunteers had spent hours standing and speaking with visitors, yet continued giving each person their full attention. Their enthusiasm and sense of responsibility moved us. The school provided tremendous support throughout: detailed communication online during preparations, venue arrangements and equipment setup, coordination of the program, and management of the auditorium and exhibition areas on the day. We are delighted to have hosted this event with Beijing Academy and look forward to working together again to offer more students opportunities to explore and grow.”
Looking Ahead: Sharing Reliable Information
Beijing Academy seeks to help students develop as whole people by encouraging their potential and helping them discover paths that draw on their interests and abilities. This shared commitment to education formed the basis of its collaboration with ACULAC.
For twelve years, ACULAC has maintained its independence from commercial interests, sharing reliable information and answering specific questions to support students and families making decisions. Its work aligns with Beijing Academy's motto, “Better Me, Better World.” The school will continue promoting openness and inclusion, welcoming different perspectives and creating further opportunities for meaningful exchange, so students can understand themselves through exploration and expand their possibilities through inquiry.
