Author: Chen Tianming
At the end of 2010, I was living in New Haven, USA. Having just finished my master’s degree and worked as a research assistant for a year, I found myself lost at a crossroads in life. I had no clear idea of what path to take — or rather, I wanted to pursue too many things at once. Lack of focus has always been my biggest flaw. Should I pursue a PhD? Apply for a Juris Doctor program? Or jump straight into full-time work?
It was then that Professor Tong Xin, a mentor and dear friend, reached out to me. She told me the School of Urban and Environmental Sciences at Peking University had newly founded the PKU–Lincoln Institute Center for Urban Development and Land Policy, and recommended that I apply. Early in 2011, I flew back to Beijing without much trouble and joined the Center.
The Center was small yet incredibly warm. Its founding director at the time was Professor Many Yun, a gentle yet resolute leader. All my colleagues were around my age, warm and lively, which allowed me, an introvert, to fit in quickly. Even so, my uncertainty about the future lingered on, and by conventional standards, I was already no longer young.
Professor Many gave me full freedom to explore different research directions at work, yet she could also sense my restlessness. One day in her office, she spoke to me like a kind mother, explaining that every stage of life carries its own core mission, and starting a family was what mattered most for me back then. Her sincere words struck a chord deep inside me. I let down my guard and opened myself up to the possibility of finding a life partner — a pivotal turning point in my life.
Before long, in 2012, I accomplished two major life milestones while working at the Center: marriage and the birth of my child. Three babies were born to Center staff that year in total, filling Professor Many with delight. She joked that she felt like a grandmother. She was deeply understanding of the struggles new mothers face and offered us tremendous support, helping us navigate that chaotic, overwhelming phase smoothly.
Later, Professor Many returned to the United States, and Dr. Liu Zhi took over as Center Director. Witty, wise and unflappable, he quickly became everyone’s role model at the Center. He always generously encouraged young people and gave us abundant opportunities to grow through practice.
For instance, despite my overseas educational background, I lacked confidence in my oral English. Dr. Liu would gently push me out of my comfort zone, assigning me interpretation tasks at important events. Whenever I stumbled mid-consecutive interpreting, he would step in calmly with a warm smile to help me out. No matter how poorly I thought I had performed afterward, he only offered positive feedback, gradually easing my self-doubt.
Years later, the Center helped me realize my long-cherished dream of pursuing a doctoral degree. Still, I struggled greatly throughout the PhD journey and even considered dropping out multiple times. Dr. Liu provided constant encouragement and support to keep me going. Though I graduated on schedule, I left the defense feeling defeated. This feeling did not stem from others’ criticism — I had long grown accustomed to judgment — but from harsh self-criticism, convinced I had delivered subpar work.
Dr. Liu must have noticed my low spirits. Before I left Beijing for Nanjing after my defense, he pulled me aside in his office and shared his own experience. After earning his PhD from Harvard, he could not bear to look at his dissertation for years, convinced its quality was unsatisfactory. Many years later, while tidying up his home, he chanced upon the manuscript again and realized it was far better than he had remembered.
Tears welled up in my eyes as he spoke. His words cast a soft ray of warmth through the gloom that had hung over me since my defense.
I also gained lifelong close friends at the Center, who offered me invaluable support and encouragement. This precious bond has never faded, even across long distances.
Although I left the Center after completing my doctorate, care and support from the Center and Dr. Liu have never ceased. The PKU–Lincoln Center will always be my true home deep in my heart. I count myself extraordinarily fortunate.
