This fall, NYU Shanghai welcomed 443 new first-year students. Members of the Class of 2027 hail from 35 countries around the world and speak 50 different languages, with the most incoming international students of any other university in mainland China. The ratio of international to Chinese students is approximately 1:1.3. Among these students, Chinese nationals represent 21 provinces, while international students primarily come from the United States (49%), South and Southeast Asia (16%), East Asia (10%), and Europe (9%).
One month into their first semester, five members of NYU Shanghai's Class of 2027 share their experiences so far at the New Bund Campus, how they are enjoying their courses and professors, and their hopes and goals for their next few years at NYU Shanghai.
Li Jin ’27
Hometown: Chongqing, China
Li, a recipient of NYU Shanghai’s “Global Model Scholarship,” selected NYU Shanghai over offers and scholarships from Duke Kunshan University and CUHK-Shenzhen. Having studied liberal arts in high school, she said NYU Shanghai is an ideal match for her. She hopes to venture into the field of science and take advantage of the freedom to select her own major.
How do you feel halfway through your first semester?
I am thrilled that my expectations for this university have been met without any fear or disappointment. I believe NYU Shanghai values more than just grades, providing me with a clean slate to start a new chapter of my life. I’m really grateful to be immersed in this environment where individuality is highly respected. I have the freedom to create my own schedule, choose clubs and activities, and pursue my passions. For example, even before the semester began, I took the initiative to reach out to Century Avocado, the student jazz band. I have been training with the band on a weekly basis, honing my singing skills and nurturing my love for music.
What courses did you take this semester?
I enrolled in five courses, including three mandatory liberal arts courses - Global Perspectives on Society (GPS), English for Academic Purposes (EAP), and Calculus. In addition, I chose one elective major course Introduction to Computer Programming, and a piano course out of personal interest. To my surprise, every course turned out to be demanding, even the piano elective. I never expected that the final exam would be a piano four-hands concert performance! What impressed me most was GPS. It consisted of two lectures taught by two different professors and a weekly recitation. Each week, we had to read numerous pages of original literature, but luckily, the course content was fascinating. The professors juxtaposed both ancient and modern Chinese and Western concepts, inviting us to compare and contrast things like the story of Genesis and Oppenheimer's ideas.
Despite the challenges, there is ample support available. Professors hold office hours for each class, and I can also seek assistance from Learning Assistants (LAs) to help with my homework - like finding bugs when I write code. The sophomore students who served as LAs are not only knowledgeable tutors but also share their own experiences, which is incredibly helpful for me.
Hovik Martirosyan ’27
Hometown: Vanadzor, Armenia
Hovik Martirosyan is one of a small group of Armenians attending NYU Shanghai. Having lived in Armenia his whole life, Martirosyan feels a close connection to his home country, and hopes for a peaceful end to the war currently taking place there. He says he was attracted to attend NYU Shanghai for the rich academic environment and relative safety he could enjoy here. Martirosyan plans to use his time at NYU Shanghai to learn how he can make a positive impact on his community at home.
How’s your first month at NYU Shanghai?
I like the multinational community–here, you can meet people from every part of the world. Classes are new to me–like GPS and Chinese. I also have math class, and programming, which are not new, but interesting, too. I like the method of learning very much–the lectures and recitations get you to really engage in the subjects.
How does it feel to be away from home during this time?
Many people ask where I'm from. When I say that I’m from Armenia, they say, “Oh, the country that borders Russia, right?” Actually, it’s not bordering Russia! But I don’t want my country to be known to the world as the bordering country to Turkey or Iran, or that we’re at war with Azerbaijan. For example, Greece and Italy–they’re known for their civilization and their culture, not about their political situation. Why can’t Armenia be famous for its national dishes, like tolma, or traditional dances, like kochari or berd? But it’s famous for war and its political situation. It’s really difficult to describe what we feel, but we are actually a very ancient country and civilization. Our capital is even older than Athens and Rome!
What are your goals for the future?
I was raised in a community called “Armath”–in Armenian, it means “roots.” They [train] engineers, programmers, etcetera, but they don’t forget about our national [culture]. I love my homeland, and our main purpose is to reach peace. I hope to be a professional in programming and learn many values to be a good person and good citizen for my home. Most importantly, I want to improve the school system in my homeland, because not every student can have this opportunity to study in a high quality university. I am here thanks to my parents' hard work, [and to] my friends and everyone who taught me valuable lessons in my life. I hope to make positive change for my homeland, but you need to explore the world and learn new things to make it better.
Hometown: Shanghai, China
Zhang Jiawen, recipient of the "Global Model Scholarship,” said what attracted him the most to NYU Shanghai is its international perspective, liberal arts education, diverse and liberal academic atmosphere, and promising future development prospects.
How’s your first month at NYU Shanghai?
I feel very fulfilled, and campus life is incredibly lively. The academic atmosphere is very strong and the library is always filled with students from morning till night. There are even students studying in the corridors. There is a wide variety of activities. Whether it's cycling and enjoying the night scenery of Shanghai, or participating in the “One in 24” film race, we have a plethora of choices. I admire some of my classmates who can participate in two or three activities in a single day; they are very energetic. Lastly, the international perspective is remarkable. No matter whether it's daily communication with my international roommate or in my English for Academic Purposes (EAP) course, my horizons have been broadened, and I feel that I have gained a lot.
Any favorite courses and professors?
Associate Professor of Practice in Mathematics Ye Shengkui, who teaches the Linear Algebra course. He delivers lectures with clear logic and spends a lot of time patiently answering questions that students don't understand after class. He has even created a chat group to facilitate communication between everyone. Another is my EAP course lecturer Paul Meloccaro. He is witty and always able to help students grasp the key points in a relaxed classroom atmosphere. His assignments are closely aligned with the teaching content. One of the reasons I am taking his course is because he has a good reputation.
Rachel Te ’27
Hometown: Seattle, USA
Rachel Te says she hopes that studying at NYU Shanghai will help her connect more to her Chinese heritage. A member of NYU Shanghai’s basketball and volleyball teams, she has enjoyed getting to explore both the city and different activities on campus with her new friends.
How has your first month at NYU Shanghai been?
I think it’s been really fun, especially because a lot of people aren’t from here either. It’s fifty percent international students, so it’s been really fun getting used to the city with a lot of other people. It’s a big unity kind of thing.
What experiences in your life have led you to this point?
I wanted to apply to schools in Asia because I’m American and I’m also Chinese, and I don’t have a lot of cultural connections. I’ve been to China a lot–I come every year–but it’s not the same as being fully immersed in it for your life. Now I’m learning Chinese, and it’s just been really fun. I enjoy it a lot.
Any favorite interesting courses?
I really like my Chinese class. I’m in the very lowest (level) class, but it’s so fun with everyone trying to figure out how the tones work and how the characters are different because there are so many strokes. I love my Chinese teacher, Professor Huang Xiaoyue. She’s so fun. She shows us these little dialogue videos, the drama is so intense. We’re all so into it. We talk about it: “What do you think she’s going to do? What do you think is going to happen next?” It’s very much a bonding experience.
What keeps you busy outside of class?
I’ve been playing basketball for 10 years, that’s my main sport. I honestly just tried out for volleyball for fun. I dragged my friend to go to tryouts with me. I think the open tryouts made it really easy to join teams.
Charles Wang Zhaoyang ’27
Hometown: Jilin, China
As a recipient of both bronze and silver awards in the British Physics Olympiads (BPhO), Wang Zhaoyang ’27 received offers from prestigious universities in Singapore, the UK, and New Zealand. When it came time to decide, he chose NYU Shanghai because he wanted to embrace an atmosphere of "harmony in diversity" and a future full of possibilities.
How was your life on campus? Did it reach your expectations?
One of the things I cherish most about NYU Shanghai is the diversity of our student body. It's incredible to be in an environment where you can hear multiple languages being spoken and where every discussion is enriched by the diverse backgrounds of the participants. While conflicting viewpoints do arise at times, I've been pleasantly surprised by the depth of integration between local and international students. I had initially anticipated a more distinct divide, but everyone appears genuinely eager to learn from one another and share their unique perspectives.
I get along very well with my roommate, Aidan. He's from San Diego, California, and has a good understanding of Chinese culture. I've also had experiences studying and living in the United States, so there's nothing we can't understand about each other. We've decided to be roommates for the next four years.
Who and what impressed you the most?
I have decided to major in Honors Mathematics and Computer Science, and have particularly enjoyed the “Honors Calculus” course taught by Visiting Professor of Mathematics Wei-Min Wang, who is an MIT and Princeton alumna. MIT has been a dream of mine for years, and interacting with a professor from there has been inspiring and motivating. Her teaching style masterfully integrates rigorous mathematical concepts with practical examples, making the subject both challenging and relevant. Her passion for mathematics shines through every lecture.
The internship opportunities offered by the Center for Career Development have also exceeded my expectations. After I selected quantitative finance as my interest on the recruiting platform, Handshake, I was surprised to receive emails within just a few days recommending relevant internship positions at renowned companies like Egret Quant, LVMH, and Apple, which were perfectly aligned with my skills and interests. Additionally, the firm visit to PwC left a significant impression on me. I had learned about the resources before I came here, but I didn't expect them to be that valuable and beneficial.
沪公网安备31011502017015号
