Naomi Breuer, 2026 SCCEI Summer Study Program Participant

Naomi Breuer, Economics

This program was one of the most meaningful experiences I have had at Stanford and in my life. What I enjoyed about this trip was that it allowed me to substantially learn about the Chinese economy through various lenses. Seeing the economy from different sectors, generations and levels, as well as talking to people about their concerns and satisfactions, was extremely insightful. I got a more complete understanding of how China’s economy operates than I could through taking the class and reading the news. It was also extremely helpful how Professor Li would give us additional information before or after site visits to further explain the context.

I particularly enjoyed seeing the inside of various factories, as China is known for its manufacturing and these visits tore down the wall of mystery around what goes on inside these factories. Lonking’s factory was especially interesting, as I got to take in the scale of the production line and because I witnessed it in full operation. It was also interesting to see a more unfiltered view of companies in China, as I saw the apartment complex where the workers live, which is pretty run down and we saw how intense the work was for each worker. I am curious about what else we don’t see on the conditions of workers, whether that is at Lonking or other companies.

Another visit that stood out to me was the visit to Dandelion School. I really enjoyed interacting with the kids, which gave us a whole new perspective we had not seen before, especially when I was eating lunch with them and we talked about what was on their mind. The video we watched was very emotional and it showed me the tough backgrounds these kids come from, which I would have never known about because they were so joyful when I was interacting with them. It was so inspiring to see how hopeful and grateful they are in the video and how much their families mean to them. I am glad that we saw a more personal and challenging perspective on how the Chinese economy and society operate.

This program has sparked my interest in China to a whole new level. I was so fascinated by the country and enjoyed seeing so much that the country has to offer. After experiencing firsthand how challenging it is to navigate daily life without speaking Mandarin, I have become motivated to take some Mandarin classes in the fall to gain a baseline understanding of the language, as I hope to return to China and be able to navigate myself through the country without relying on others to do so for me. I also have realized that China is living in the future and its companies are the future, so I am certain that communicating with Chinese companies and government will be essential in any career I go into, whether that is in economics or international relations. I also hope to further study China at Stanford through taking more classes on China and becoming involved in research on China. I have already begun to do so in my current internship at a think tank, where I am researching China-EU relations.

Overall, I learned so much from this program and our experiences reshaped how I think about China, whether from personal interactions, speaking with officials in companies or seeing the system firsthand. My view on China was very limited and shaped by Western media before this trip, but now I understand better how people in China think, what priorities they have and how the economy affects them. I also understand better how society functions and how different and similar the culture is to that of the U.S. I am so eager to learn more.