I am Liu Siwen from Nanjing Normal University, majoring in Applied Psychology. My research focus is on psychological counseling and therapy.

What left the deepest impression on me was the course on cognitive neuroscience. We studied the theoretical and anatomical foundations of autism, and I found the interpersonal interactions of individuals with autism and the application of new technologies to be highly valuable areas of research. During the course, I revisited knowledge of human anatomy and physiology, much of which I had learned four years ago. Cognitive neuroscience felt both familiar and unfamiliar to me—while I had found the complexity of brain structures overwhelming during my undergraduate studies, now I recognize the profound significance and potential of this field, as many aspects of how the human brain operates remain unexplored and may be related to many research areas. In the course, we reviewed techniques such as fMRI, EEG, and fNIRS, and I realized that if these instruments could be better integrated with psychological counseling, the clinical treatment will be more efficient. Professor also introduced a wide range of psychological phenomena and related literature, supplemented by small activities that helped us understand the readings, making the learning process vividly. One study that particularly impressed me explored the relationship between self-reported loneliness and MRI assessments, demonstrating how instrumental methods can enhance the scientific rigor of self-reporting.

During the S-P course, we primarily studied core topics in psychology and counseling, including cognitive behavioral therapy, humanistic counseling techniques, and psychological assessment methods. The classes were filled with group discussions, where we engaged in role-playing to simulate real counseling. This is my first attempt at conducting a counseling simulation in English, which was a completely new challenge for me. This experience gave me a profound understanding of the complexity and significance of cross-cultural counseling. It also made me realize that there is still much room for improvement in both my language skills and professional competencies.

Outside of the class, I had the privilege of making friends with people from diverse cultural backgrounds. These interactions not only broadened my horizons but also gave me a deep appreciation for the beauty of cross-cultural communication. I am truly grateful to AELC for providing such an open and inclusive platform, where students could meet, connect, and grow together.