
Xia Li
UChicago Center in Beijing
Manager, Academic Events and Projects
Xia has been working at the Center in Beijing for nine years, where she oversees most of its academic events, programs, and public lectures.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your work?
The most enjoyable part of my work is that it enables me to get to know people from all walks of life—I have met with numerous both professional and interesting faculty here.
Q: What is your favorite lunch spot when you’re at work?
My favorite lunch spot is the student lounge area at the Center, with a nice view of the city and lovely talk with colleagues or visitors, my break of the day can be extremely pleasing.
Q: What is your commute like?
I commute by subway every day, it usually takes about 1.5 hours one way, but I enjoy the time listening to music and news.
Q: What is one thing about Beijing that the average tourist/visitor wouldn’t know?
From my perspective, the average tourist wouldn’t know that Beijing is a city with very convenient and efficient life services—such as food take-out service, one-hour cross-city file delivery service, 30-minute flower delivery, fruit delivery, and medicine delivery service.
Q: What is one thing – cultural, social, economic, or political – that everyone is talking about in Beijing?
Beijing is a very inclusive city where people are free to be themselves.
Q: What surprises visitors to the Beijing campus the most?
That the Center is in downtown Beijing but has both the city skyline and mountain views.