When Elena Kozelko stood on the stage of the opening ceremony of Fudan’s College of Smart Materials and Future Energy as a freshman—delivering her speech in Chinese just one year after starting to learn the language—she knew she was stepping into something extraordinary. That moment was only the beginning.
Igniting Chemistry Dream at Fudan
Elena, an international student from Russia, was drawn to Fudan University by a bold educational reform: the launch of six innovation-oriented engineering colleges, including the College of Smart Materials and Future Energy, the College of Integrated Circuits and Micro-Nano Electronics, the College of Intelligent Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing, the College of Future Information Technology, the College of Biomedical Engineering and the College of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence.
She quickly became part of the community built for those eager to define the next chapter in energy and materials. “I’ve always been fascinated by chemistry—the way experiments surprise you,” Elena shared. Having studied chemistry for a year back in Russia, she saw the College of Smart Materials and Future Energy as the perfect place to merge her scientific curiosity with real-world impact. “I believe in the key role energy and resources play in the world, and of course, Fudan’s strength in chemistry and materials.”
The curriculum is anything but conventional. With courses designed around hands-on experimental modules—from synthesis to analysis—and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) classes that combine innovation and entrepreneurship, students don’t just learn science; they live it. Even Professor ZHAO Dongyuan, member of Chinese Academy of Science, who is also Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Materials Chemistry, an influential journal for global academic and industrial scientists involved in materials research, offers course “General Chemistry” to undergraduates. Though Elena is still working on her Chinese, she finds herself captivated by his lectures.
But her academic appetite doesn’t stop at science. Elena is equally passionate about history, philosophy, and literature. She has eagerly embraced Fudan’s flexible course system, enrolling in over 20 credits in her first semester alone. “It’s intense—but totally worth it,” she says, lighting up as she describes an economics class where the professor’s style made complex ideas come alive. “I want to chat freely in Chinese—not just daily talk, but real conversations about science.”
Beyond the Classroom: Falling for Shanghai—and Jiangnan
“China is improving very fast and studying here will definitely open up a world of opportunities for me,” Elena observed. Before arriving, she had watched videos and read stories about Fudan—its vibrant campus, its scholarly atmosphere. Now, she’s living it.
From metro stations nestled right on campus to canteens where pictures on the menu make ordering easy—everything, she says, feels “thoughtfully arranged.” She’s still discovering the university’ four campuses, connected by free shuttle buses, each home to libraries, labs, and gyms waiting to be explored.
And then there’s Shanghai itself. “I love the neon-lit skyscrapers, the glass and the glow—it’s a city made for the young,” Elena said with a smile. Her curiosity has already taken her beyond the city—to Zhejiang Province, where tranquil lakes, arched bridges, and ancient architecture immersed her in the poetic beauty of Jiangnan culture. Next on her list? Guangzhou and Harbin.
For Elena, Fudan is more than a university—it’s the start of a journey of personal and intellectual growth. She is not only laying the groundwork for a future at the forefront of science and technology but also building a profound, personal connection with the world.
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Writer: ZHOU Yiting
Proofreader: WANG Jingyang
Editor: WANG Mengqi, LI Yijie
