A Natural Progression
Name: Carlos Vicente Sanchez Paz
Home Country: Colombia & United States
Degree: Certificate in Chinese and American Studies + MAIR 2026
Scholarship: Steven Muller and Jill McGovern Fellowship HNC
Tell us about your background and how you became interested in China.
Ever since moving to and growing up in Flushing, New York City, I was surrounded by Chinese culture and language. As a kid I was always curious about the larger world I inhabit. This curiosity started small with trying to understand my community, the signs, the street chatter, the flea market arguments. Mandarin seemed so different, so foreign, despite its constant presence in my everyday life. I began my language journey with Mandarin in college, and it was consistently both my most challenging and rewarding class. Each summer back in Flushing I felt myself connect more with my community, especially with the young men I was working with at the Boys Club of New York. My language skills and improved cultural awareness allowed me to be more effective in the world of education access and childcare. If I could go to China and drastically improve my language ability and cultural context, I knew my capability as a problem solver would benefit.Before joining the Hopkins-Nanjing Center, what were you doing?
I joined the HNC almost immediately following my recent graduation from Lafayette College in May of 2024. I was a double major in Economics and International Affairs with a minor in Chinese. I was particularly interested in economic development as well as the East Asia region. I conducted an independent study on foreign direct investments flows from China to the Sub-Saharan Africa region and its outcomes on GDP growth, then compared those outcomes with outcomes from other countries. Through this research, I encountered the SAIS China Africa Research Initiative, and the seed of joining the SAIS community began to sprout. This past summer before joining the HNC, I worked as a Teen Coordinator at the Boys Club of New York. In this role I worked with young men 13+, to help cultivate values and skills that can support them in their educational and professional careers.It can seem intimidating hearing max level Chinese spoken all around you, but the community is so welcoming and uplifting that I feel comfortable asking for help.
What led you to the Hopkins-Nanjing Center? What made you choose the HNC?
I was actively seeking out graduate programs with opportunities to go to China as well as opportunities where I could develop my skills in economics and international relations. My college best friend and roommate was in the process of applying to applying to SAIS when he learned about the HNC, and subsequently recommended it to me. Imagine my excitement seeing all three of my postgrad goals are part of the core curriculum here. This program was a natural progression of my work throughout undergrad, so I knew I had to give my all for the opportunity to study at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center.How was your experience adjusting to the Chinese coursework? Do you have any tips for future students?
It can seem intimidating hearing max level Chinese spoken all around you, but the community is so welcoming and uplifting that I feel comfortable asking for help. The coursework is not more difficult than your average reading intensive course in undergrad, the challenge is the language aspect. I recommend future students to consume as much Chinese literature as you can as this will help you cut down the amount of time you’ll spend reading and rereading text. It is very satisfying reading an entire article without much consulting of a translation tool, and has added a new layer of fun to my studies.What has been one of your favorite experiences at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center so far?
A classmate and I coordinated a welcome party during orientation week. It was a lot to plan in a short amount of time, but we made it happen. All of the students had a great time listening to both international and Chinese music, with karaoke afterwards that revealed some really talented voices at the HNC. Even staff from the HNC administration stopped by to hear a few songs. This welcome party really broke the ice and helped a lot of students make connections and friendships.What has been one of your most meaningful/memorable class moments so far?
The first week of classes was a little hard to understand the content within the presentation slides, and honestly it is still difficult. But after going through the slides afterwards on my own time and trying to familiarize myself with the new vocabulary, I remember feeling very excited and happy when a slide popped up that I was able to read and comprehend before the professor went to the next one. It was a brief moment that I didn’t share with anyone, but I felt very validated in me being here and am encouraged to keep working hard at my reading and listening comprehension.If you are involved in any extracurricular activities or student groups, could you please tell us about that?
I was elected as the Male International Student Representative during the first week of the semester. This title is also known as 班委(banwei). I am honored to have been nominated and elected to dedicate time each week in helping plan events and improve student life at the HNC. I work with 3 other student representatives, and we meet with the administration as well to discuss future event planning and any student concerns. I’ve created both a Spanish and French language club where students of all levels can come to practice the language, learn, or participate in events. This is a bilingual institution, but I still felt it was important to have a space for even more cultural and language exchange even if in brief weekly meetings and occasional listening/dance parties.
What is your favorite thing about Nanjing?
It’s hard to point my finger at a specific thing in this city to grant the title of favorite, especially as I have only been here a little over a month. However, I will say that I get this funny feeling in my heart each time that I arrive back in Nanjing after leaving to explore a different city, as the trains to other cities are very convenient and affordable. It genuinely feels like coming home after a long day, and so if I could describe one thing it’s the feeling of coming back. If you want to hear something less abstract, maybe it’s La Mia Casa (an Italian restaurant near the HNC that hits the spot every time).What do you plan on pursuing after graduation? Where do you see yourself 5-10 years after graduation?
I want to get into sustainable development. In the next 5-10 years I hope I am still traveling the world and learning more languages, making strides as a researcher and problem solver in the worlds of economic development, resource management, and education access. I am a supporter of Amartya Sen’s capability approach and hope my lasting impact on the world is that I contributed to a future where anyone born anywhere has the capability to chase any goals, big or small.If you could give one piece of advice to future HNC students, what would that be?
I often daydream about what thoughts would flood my head in my twilight years, a little silly given I’m still so young but it’s hard to conceptualize that in this very moment I am living the years I will look back on with so much fondness and nostalgia. Will I look back with regret at the time I spent so far away from family, friends, and familiarity? Or will I laugh remembering the new experiences, connections, and challenges I overcame? Everyday is a choice to try something new, walk a new trail, have a different conversation, confront a fear… My advice is to you is to push yourself to show up. Go to that dinner even if you have an assignment the next day, talk to that stranger with the cool jacket, go to that museum even if no one else wants to go with you. You never know what conversation might change your life, as well as the impact you might have on others.If you are looking to learn more about what it's like to be a current student at Johns Hopkins SAIS, we encourage you to schedule a virtual appointment with one of our Admissions Fellows.
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