With a multicultural heritage and a passion for discovery, Canadian student Alexandre Beaudin has embarked on an extraordinary academic and personal journey at the University of Michigan – Shanghai Jiao Tong University Joint Institute (UM-SJTU JI，JI hereafter). Since arriving in Shanghai in 2024, he has embraced the city’s vibrant culture, explored the possibilities of sustainable engineering, and found creative expression through the lens of his camera. From Canada to China, from a multicultural upbringing to interdisciplinary research, Alexandre is crafting a story defined by curiosity, creativity, and cross-cultural exchange.
A heritage that leads home
As a mixed-heritage student of French-Canadian and Chinese descent, Alexandre Beaudin has long felt a connection to China. Inspired by his sister, he chose to pursue an English-taught undergraduate program at JI on the SJTU Minhang campus, marking Shanghai as the starting point of his global journey.
His decision was affirmed during a family visit to China in 2023. Traveling across the country via high-speed rail and engaging in conversations with locals in cities like Shanghai, Beijing, and Chongqing, Alexandre was struck by the richness and vitality of Chinese culture. The experience ignited his desire to delve deeper into his roots and play a role in fostering intercultural understanding.
Learning beyond borders
One of Alexandre’s first impressions of Shanghai came during a one-day student trip to Chongming Island, organized by the Joint Institute. There, surrounded by unique architecture and natural landscapes, he stood under the night sky with new friends, releasing sky lanterns — each one carrying youthful wishes and dreams — into the dark.
Alexandre (second from the right) and international student classmates learn to make dumplings in a farm restaurant on Chongming Island.
His cultural journey continued when he took the stage during a Chinese opera performance organized as part of a World Theatre Day event. After several intensive rehearsals guided by seasoned artists, Alexandre donned traditional makeup and costume to participate in a live performance — an experience he describes as a powerful and lasting cultural dialogue.
Alexandre performs a Peking Opera program at the opera event held at Long Bin Building.
Alexandre has fully embraced JI’s interdisciplinary academic environment. In the “Introduction to Engineering” course, he and his team developed an autonomous robotic dog equipped with computer vision AI, capable of following living creatures. The innovative project earned the “Best Performance” award at the JI Winter Design Expo held at the end of his first semester. Beyond the classroom, Alexandre has joined the Innovation Practice Program (IPP) under the mentorship of Professor Kwee-Yan Teh, where he is now delving into the design of magnetic levitation trains — an area that merges cutting-edge technology with sustainability.
Through weekend city walks, Alexandre has been exploring Shanghai step by step, tracing the threads of its history and development. From the whistle of the Huangpu River ferry to the literary atmosphere of the bookstore in Shanghai Tower, each encounter has deepened his understanding of the city while allowing him to form new friendships along the way.
Alexandre presents the engineering project of his team during the JI Winter Design Expo.
Storytelling across cultures
Alexandre’s passion for visual storytelling began in middle school, when he started editing videos to document his journey in game development and programming. Later, as head of the student union’s media team, he led the production of numerous promotional videos for campus events, discovering the power of film to connect communities. That experience proved invaluable when he led a team in the 2024 “Explore Shanghai” short video competition. Their project, centered on the Songjiang District — often called the “root of Shanghai” — won First Prize at SJTU and the “Best Storytelling” award from the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange, China’s Ministry of Education.
Alexandre (in the middle) receives Outstanding Video award for the 2024 “Explore Shanghai” competition.
He continues to use his lens to connect with cultures — most recently during a youth cultural exchange program in Suzhou sponsored by China Daily. There, Alexandre joined other international students in visiting historic sites like Shantang Street and Sanlian Bookstore, experiencing woodblock printing, tasting local delicacies, and exploring the aesthetics of Jiangnan architecture. He recorded the journey as a vlog, aiming to share this authentic cultural experience with a broader audience.
Alexandre (fifth from the right) poses for a group photo with some Chinese and foreign students who participated in the Suzhou event.
A heart set on discovery
For Alexandre, studying at JI is “a process of continuous transformation”. From exploring magnetic levitation technologies and performing traditional opera, to rediscovering Songjiang’s heritage and embracing sustainability in engineering—each experience has enriched his understanding of cross-cultural innovation.
Alexandre with JI mascot Blue Tiger in front of Long Bin Building
“JI fosters a uniquely immersive environment where intercultural collaboration, cutting-edge research, and cultural heritage converge,” said Alexandre. Whether it’s lighting sky lanterns on Chongming Island or inhaling the scent of sawdust in a Suzhou heritage workshop, his journey is rooted in sustainable innovation and cultural exchange.
In Alexandre’s view, his story in Shanghai is only beginning—unfolding day by day, frame by frame, through the lens of curiosity and creativity.
