【编者按】Christina Boyksen是德国汉堡大学法学院的本科生。她参加了2025年中国政法大学中欧法学院中国法国际学生夏令营。在本文中,Christina Boyksen将分享她在夏令营的经历。原文为英文,译文为AI翻译,仅供参考。
This summer school program was a unique and enriching experience for me, both academically and personally. Having already spent a semester abroad at San Diego State University, where I became familiar with the American legal system and university life, I was eager to explore an entirely different legal culture. China offered exactly that: a new perspective, unfamiliar values, and an entirely different understanding of law and society.
这次暑期学校项目对我来说是一段独特且意义深远的经历,无论在学术还是个人层面都是如此。我之前曾在圣地亚哥州立大学度过一个学期,在那里熟悉了美国的法律体系和大学生活,因此特别渴望探索一种截然不同的法律文化。而中国恰好满足了这一点:全新的视角、陌生的价值观,以及对法律与社会全然不同的理解。

The beginning was not easy. Everything worked differently here than in Germany or the United States. Using Alipay or WeChat to pay, navigating apps, and reading signs that were entirely in Chinese were all quite challenging at first. However, over time, especially with the help of the student ambassadors, I found my way. Their support was incredible, and I’m happy that some of them will visit Germany in September. It means a lot to me that our friendships don't have to end when the program does.
起初并不容易。这里的一切都与德国或美国截然不同。用支付宝或微信付款、使用各种应用程序、看懂全是中文的标识,一开始都颇具挑战。但随着时间推移,尤其是在学生大使的帮助下,我逐渐适应了下来。他们的支持太棒了,想到其中几位 9 月会去德国访问,我就很高兴 —— 这意味着我们的友谊不会随着项目结束而终止,这对我来说意义非凡。

I was especially impressed by the cultural aspects of daily life. The campus canteens and breakfast options were delicious, fresh, varied, and affordable, something I will definitely miss back home. At first, I was unsure about some of the dishes since the menu was in Chinese, but the staff was always friendly and willing to help. Compared to Germany, where cafeteria options are much more limited, and the U.S., where food on campus is often heavily processed and unhealthy, I really appreciated the balance of quality and taste in China.
日常生活中的文化细节尤其让我印象深刻。校园食堂的餐食和早餐选项美味、新鲜、种类丰富,而且价格实惠,这些都是我回到家乡后肯定会想念的。一开始,菜单是中文的,有些菜品我不太确定是什么,但工作人员总是很友善,乐于帮忙。比起德国食堂有限的选择,以及美国校园里常常过度加工、不够健康的食物,我真的很欣赏中国在食物品质和口感上的平衡。

One cultural difference that really stuck with me was the remarkable level of trust in society. I saw students leave their laptops and other personal belongings unattended in parks. Food deliveries were simply left in front of buildings, seemingly without any fear of theft. I even lost my handbag in a museum, but to my surprise and relief, it was turned in with everything still inside. This kind of honesty and respect for others' belongings made a deep impression on me because I haven't experienced it to the same extent in Germany or the US.
还有一个让我铭记于心的文化差异,是这里极高的社会信任度。我看到学生们把笔记本电脑和其他个人物品放在公园里无人看管;外卖就直接放在楼前,似乎完全不用担心被偷。我甚至在博物馆弄丢了手提包,但惊喜又欣慰的是,包被送了回来,里面的东西一件没少。这种对他人财物的诚信与尊重给我留下了深刻印象,因为在德国或美国,我从未有过如此深切的体会。

From a legal perspective, the experience was equally valuable. The lectures were well structured and engaging. I felt honored that the professors took the time to teach us and interact with us personally. I gained a deeper understanding of how the Chinese legal system is structured and functions, which has helped me better understand the broader mindset and legal reasoning in the People’s Republic of China. The visit and presentation at Xiaomi were particularly interesting. I can see myself working in a corporate setting later in my career, so it was exciting to see how law operates within a large, international company and connect theory with practice.
从法律角度来说,这段经历同样宝贵。课程结构清晰、引人入胜。教授们抽出时间给我们授课,还亲自与我们交流,这让我倍感荣幸。我对中国法律体系的结构和运作有了更深入的理解,这也帮助我更好地把握了中国的整体思维方式和法律推理逻辑。参观小米公司并听其介绍的环节尤其有趣。我未来可能会在企业工作,因此能看到法律在大型跨国公司中的实际运作,将理论与实践联系起来,让我觉得非常兴奋。

Beyond the academic aspect, the excursions were a real highlight. I was impressed by the many museums we visited and the richness of Chinese culture. One unforgettable moment was standing on the Great Wall of China. I had dreamed of visiting it for many years, and being there in person was even more powerful than I had imagined.
除了学术之外,外出游览也是一大亮点。我们参观的众多博物馆以及中国文化的丰富内涵都让我赞叹不已。站在中国的长城上,是我永生难忘的时刻。多年来我一直梦想着来这里,而亲身站在上面的感受,比想象中还要震撼。

In retrospect, I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to immerse myself in three legal systems: the German, American, and Chinese. Each system has shaped the way I think about law and its role in society. This broader legal understanding will certainly be an asset in my future career as a lawyer, and I am grateful to have gained this insight so early on.
回想起来,我很庆幸有机会深入接触三种法律体系:德国、美国和中国的。每种体系都塑造了我对法律及其社会角色的思考方式。这种更广阔的法律视野,无疑会成为我未来律师生涯中的一笔财富,能这么早就获得这样的洞见,我心怀感激。

I would like to express my deepest thanks to the entire organizing team, the professors, the university, and everyone who helped make this summer school possible. Their meticulous planning, attention to detail, academic input, and warm atmosphere truly made this a once-in-a-lifetime experience. From the very first day, I felt welcomed and well taken care of. Meeting people from different countries, gaining academic and cultural insight, and growing personally and professionally in such a short time are experiences I will always treasure. I am incredibly thankful for this opportunity and will cherish the memories and lessons from this program for a very long time.
我想向整个组织团队、教授们、学校以及所有助力此次暑期学校顺利举办的人致以最诚挚的感谢。他们精心的策划、对细节的关注、学术上的投入,以及营造的温暖氛围,让这段经历真正成为了一生难忘的记忆。从第一天起,我就感受到了接纳与悉心照料。在这么短的时间里,结识来自不同国家的人、收获学术与文化见解、实现个人与职业成长 —— 这些经历我会永远珍藏。我无比感恩能有这样的机会,这段项目中的回忆与感悟,也会被我长久铭记。