On the afternoon of April 24, Associate Professor Tian Yizhou, Master's Advisor at the School of Journalism and Communication of NKU, attended the Appointment with Mentors - Afternoon Tea for Communication between Teachers and Students in Room 215 of Xiushan Hall. He delivered a lecture titled From a Local Perspective to an International Mindset: Insights and Reflections from a Study Abroad Experience. Drawing on his 2024–2025 visit to King's College London, Professor Tian blended cutting-edge academic perspectives with cross-cultural contemplation, delivering an inspiring presentation on film studies and pathways to academic growth for the audience.
At the beginning, Professor Tian spoke about his academic planning before departure and shared in detail his adaptation to the local culture upon arriving in London. As a keen observer, he described the city's atmosphere, campus environment, and academic climate. During his stay, he rediscovered the pure joy of immersing himself in film. Through visits to art exhibitions, walks in distinctive neighborhoods, and participation in local community cultural activities, he gradually transformed everyday experiences into compelling materials for academic research. These cross-cultural experiences not only deepened his reflections on the overseas dissemination strategies of Chinese films such as Ne Zha, but also led him to consider how academic research can transcend disciplinary boundaries and balance rigor with accessibility, thereby promoting public engagement with specialized knowledge.
In the lecture, Professor Tian introduced his recent publication, Close-ups in Time. As a continuation of his earlier work Cinematography with Tears, Close-ups in Time selects 40 of the most influential translated essays on film theory under the Republic of China, offering a panoramic view of how foreign film theories were translated and introduced in China at that time. Furthermore, Professor Tian shared his experience of presenting at an overseas academic conference, where he adopted the principle of focusing on asking rather than telling, which left ample room for questions, discussion, and reflection. Under this approach, academia is not merely about presentation but about engaging in dialogue. He encouraged students to view research not as a one-way display of results, but as an ongoing process of inquiry and response.
Regarding the development of young scholars, Professor Tian emphasized the rhythm and balance between what one wants to do and what one needs to do. Preserving enthusiasm for research while pursuing academic goals, he noted, is an ongoing challenge. He pointed out that what matters most, whether at home or abroad, is always to raise genuine questions. The core of humanities lies in the keen insight into and reflection on everyday experiences, which is precisely the key competency young scholars should cultivate.
This session of Appointment with Mentors not only provided students with a valuable window into overseas visiting experiences, but also encouraged deeper reflection on the question of how to conduct meaningful research. Going forward, the School of Journalism and Communication will continue to leverage this platform to foster an open and sharing academic environment, supporting students in staying grounded locally while making their voices heard globally.
