Alumni Voices

After I studied abroad in Tel Aviv and learned about the experiences of Afro-Palestinians, I thought: This is going to be what I'm committing my next academic pursuit to. I am primarily interested in identity formation because I think there's a lot of importance in people knowing where they come from, trying to retain some semblance of that, because it's a part of who they are, but at the same time creating new realities for themselves and the places that they are at the moment located, and eventually begin to call home.

In the application process I learned to keep an eye open for different kinds of programs but also to be confident in myself and my story. With the help of Global Awards and NYU, students already have an interesting and competitive application. I learned not be too intimidated by big-name programs and to have hope for my applications. It helps to have confidence, because that will shine through on your application.

In the future, I would put more time and energy into following local stories and events. I would also try to read up on a wider breadth of issues (major shoutout and gratitude to Global Perspectives on Society at NYU Shanghai for exposing students to everything from cosmopolitanism to artificial intelligence), as opposed to going too deep into my own field. Learn your CV and personal statement inside-out. They will make their way into the interview one way or another, so be prepared to talk about your accomplishments, learnings and future ambitions.

Applying to global awards was the first time I dedicated myself to myself. While thinking about what I've done, why I've been spending my time on certain things, and what I want to do next, I got to know myself better, which helped me prepare to life after graduation with or without receiving any awards.

"Use your NYU torch to ignite your light. Find ways to educate and inform, to lead inclusively and ethically." -NYU Commencement 2017 Student Address

I see my future impact as not limited to chemistry, but rather in wanting to make a change and add value to my community. It might not be dramatic or big, but I would like to contribute in my own little way. What keeps me motivated is seeing the contributions I can make to the community I grew up in. I want to help the younger generation build from the bottom up.

A Global Awards candidate at NYU Shanghai is never alone. My fellow applicants and I exchanged information and emotion with no reservations, sitting through those exciting, if equally nerve-wracking, moments side by side. I was challenged with so many hard yet intriguing questions that made my introspection deep and meaningful. And I am forever grateful for the immense support from professors who witnessed my academic and personal growth. To me, the biggest takeaway from the Global Awards journey was not just the fellowship I was selected for, but the bravery of an explorer, the strength of the self to reflect and grow, and the heart to care for what is greater than just myself.

I entered university with an undecided major and graduated with an undecided future. However, the entire process of applying for fellowships forced me - in a very supportive way - to think clearly about what I wish to do with my life, both in the short run and in the long run. In the end, I've arrived at the conclusion that my passions and interests will be what guide me towards that future as they are what I can wholeheartedly put my efforts into. //  The experience in JET so far is much like an extension of my time at NYUSH. It's a wonderful international community that has taken good care of me and has helped me adjust to life here before easing me into my work as an instructor. I truly enjoyed the loving community of NYU Shanghai and its unique opportunities for international and intercultural immersion and interaction and I hope to get the same out of the JET program too. I plan to use this time to further develop my skills as an international and global citizen while learning Japanese so that I increase the opportunities in my future. Overall, it feels like a natural progression as someone who is walking the international path so I would recommend more experiences like mine for NYU Shanghai students if they are enjoying their time there.

After spending the last five years primarily in China but also other parts of the world, the driving question of my work became “Why not?”. The pandemic has changed our world and the new normal we find ourselves in continues to challenge our pre-pandemic routines. Asking “Why not?” when presented with hard challenges reinvigorates my desire to practice solution-based thinking and move towards building a stronger, more interconnected future.

My overseas experiences [in Tel Aviv, Washington and Berlin] have pushed me to think about what it means to be a global citizen. As a former migrant child, I was keen to provide social aid in China. Every weekend for two years, I volunteered to tutor English. I was also the vice president of the Breaking Barriers Initiative, an NYU Shanghai student club that promotes cross-cultural communication. These are the experiences that have shaped me.