Doris Yuxuan Zhang ’25 has won a full-tuition Erasmus Mundus Scholarship, and will pursue graduate studies at three different universities in Europe.
Sponsored by the European Union, the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship promotes cooperation among top higher education institutions in the world, and gives students from both EU and non-EU countries the opportunity to take multidisciplinary courses at a different school each semester.
Doris will use the award to pursue a Master of Science in the Psychology of Global Mobility, Inclusion, and Diversity in Society through Global-MINDS, a program providing students with insights into contemporary social and societal issues from Social and Cultural Psychology and opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge on diversity, inclusion, and migration.
The 2-year program consists of two semesters of full-time coursework in the first year, at two different universities. In the second year, students complete an internship with the partner university of the student’s choice, and a final semester dedicated to completing and defending their thesis.
Doris, who graduated from NYU Shanghai last month with a degree in Social Science (Psychology track) and a minor in Neuroscience, will head to Iscte - University Institute of Lisbon this fall and then to the University of Limerick in Ireland for the spring semester. Raised primarily by her grandmother, Doris grew up moving between schools in Anhui, Nanjing, Boston, and the Philippines, and says her personal experience of migration fueled her academic interest in migration studies.
At NYU Shanghai, Doris helped launch the First Generation Mentorship Program, creating a supportive community for first-generation students. She also volunteered as a counselor at the College and Career Lab, a summer camp program at NYU Shanghai for the children of migrant workers.
Her academic research was also informed by her own personal experiences. One research project, funded by the Deans’ Undergraduate Research Fund, focused on the migrant adolescent mental health in China, specifically related to perceived discrimination and self-esteem. Her capstone project analyzed the impact of wealth disparity on people's moral judgment, specifically in the context of China.
Professor of Psychology Pekka Santtila, who taught her capstone class, said Doris’ research “frankly blew me away.” “She had the ability to grasp complicated concepts and make connections that weren't obvious to anyone else, myself included,” he recalled.“But here's what really gets me about Doris: she's brilliant but never makes anyone else feel small because of it. She'll cut right to the heart of an issue never putting anyone else down."
Doris says the Erasmus Mundus scholarship will allow her to continue pushing herself in the fields of migration studies and clinical mental health, and explore the differences and similarities between migration patterns in Europe and China.
“There are different reasons behind people's movement,” she said. “There are different challenges people are facing as well.” She added she is curious to learn more about the psychological factors that are accompanied by migration in Europe.
Overall, Doris sees this as another chance to push herself outside of her comfort zone, continue exploring the world, and gain more independence.
“I am very grateful for this opportunity, as my future studies and research interests lie at the intersection of the research and clinical aspects of psychology. This program is a perfect fit, allowing me to explore new concepts I’m truly passionate about while also experiencing life in different European countries.”
“From the first time I met Doris, I was impressed by how deeply she threw herself into all kinds of social initiatives and research opportunities across the university,” said Director of Global Awards Anna Kendrick. “Pursuing this degree as an Erasmus Mundus Scholar is a fitting capstone to her global approach to psychology and mental health, offering her the chance to learn and grow in an incredibly international cohort as a professional, scholar and global citizen."
Meet NYU Shanghai’s past Erasmus Mundus Scholars: Jacky Huang ’23, Xu You ’22, Jaime Cantwell ’22, Emma Yunqi Song ’20, and Benny Weilun Zhang ’18. For information and advice on applying for external scholarships and fellowships during or after your time at NYU Shanghai, contact the Global Awards & Fellowships office.