Alumni Voices

Mahder Teshome ’22

Fellowship:
Knight-Hennessy Scholar

Major:
Religion and Language (self-designed honors major)

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.

Advice:
Trust your instincts, and when you find what you love, pursue it with zest, rigor, and tact. If it does not work out after having done your best, it is completely alright to move on—you are capable of more than one passion.
Max Bork '17

Fellowship:
Boren Fellowship

Major:
Interactive Media Arts

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.

Advice:
My big advice is to be strategic about where to apply. Have your dream "reach" programs, and then have some safety and mid-range programs just in case. Pick your favorite few places and put everything you've got into those applications, and then make sure you also have some fallbacks. And don't be afraid to get rejected -- it happens to everyone and there's always another place that maybe you haven't thought of.
Michelle Huang '18

Fellowship:
Rhodes Scholarship Finalist

Major:
Social Science (Environmental Studies)

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.

Advice:
Invest time and energy into following local stories and events. Read up on a wide 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 deeply only into your 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.
Nofar Hamrany '18

Fellowship:
Schwarzman Scholars

Major:
Social Sciences

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.

Advice:
Start NOW. That's as early as possible. No matter what class you're in right now, you should plan ahead to track your way through college and get the most out of it, in terms of social, professional and leadership experience. And it would improve your chances to have any successful application, too.
Roxanne Roman '17

Fellowship:
Schwarzman Scholar & NYU DC Global Leadership Scholar

Major:
Social Science

"Use your NYU torch to ignite your light. Find ways to educate and inform, to lead inclusively and ethically." -NYU Commencement 2017 Student Address
Safia Kariapper ’19

Fellowship:
Princeton in Asia (PIA) Fellowship

Major:
Chemistry

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.
Shirley Zhao Xuehan ’19

Fellowship:
Knight-Hennessy Scholar; finalist for fellowships including the Rhodes Scholarship for China, Gates Cambridge Scholarship, and the Asian Future Leaders Scholarship Program (Tokyo)

Major:
Global China Studies, Minor in Humanities

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

Advice:
The world is so big, filled with unthinkable opportunities and heart-wrenching challenges we cannot afford to overlook. Go! Apply! Embark on the self-reflecting and mission-finding journey that you would forever be grateful for!
Steven Yu '18

Fellowship:
JET Fellowship

Major:
Economics

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

Advice:
Speak with other people about your aspirations! If you're anything like me, you will procrastinate despite knowing you should begin processes such as fellowships early. Find a mentor or person you trust and set deadlines with them. Hopefully your wish to not let someone else down will override your desire to put off facing uncertainty about the future.
Taylah Bland ’21

Fellowship:
Schwarzman Scholarship

Major:
Social Science (Comparative Law), Minor in Mandarin

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.

Advice:
Ask yourself what you wish to gain from undertaking a fellowship and see how this aligns with your future plans. Most Fellowships, despite covering different topics and areas, will provide you with transferable skills that you can take forward into the future. Prioritise which ones you think you need the most work on (research, writing, communication) and find fellowships that may offer additional support in those areas. Consider different geographic locations and which organizations some fellowships are affiliated with if you want to expand your networks and be surrounded by people with similar objectives to you. This can be beneficial for pursuing employment opportunities afterwards, especially in different cities and countries.
Xiang Li '18

Fellowship:
Schwarzman Scholars Semi-Finalist & NYU DC Global Leadership Scholar

Major:
Social Science

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.