In the fall of 2015, having just arrived on Century Avenue, members of the Class of 2019 wrote out on postcards their ambitions for their time at NYU Shanghai. We invited some of these students to look back at what they wrote as teenagers - and reflect on how they might have changed or grown these past four years.
Andreas Strandgaard
Major: Social Science
What he wrote back then:
“NYU will inspire me to found a NGO that helps people all over the world.”
Where he’s going now:
Andreas is going to work for the Alibaba Global eCommerce Talent Network as a Lead Training Coordinator, where he will develop and lead educational programs for university students centered around entrepreneurship, the digital economy and eCommerce.
“Reading my card from four years ago makes me both happy and more confident. I know that my time here has not changed my path -- quite to the contrary. I am more certain than ever that my purpose is to help other people to succeed and live meaningful lives. I have seen the power of people coming together from across the world to work towards common goals that benefit all of us, and I want to continue building the bridges that enable and empower these types of collaborations.”
Zhu Zhiwei
Major: Business and Finance
What she wrote back then:
“I would like to major in Finance, though I haven’t decided truly. I want to learn about music and dance, because they can help convey ourselves in a more free way.”
Where she’s going now:
Zhiwei is planning to study law at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
“It sounds a little bit inconsistent with my previous wish. But I did accomplish some of my wishes over the four years. For example, I completed a double major in Business and Finance & Social Science (Poli Sci), as well as a Royal Academy of Dance Professional Level - Advanced I (Ballet). ”
Shirley Zhao Xuehan
Major: Global China Studies
What she wrote back then:
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Become extremely fluent in English
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Handle all cultural gaps
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Prepare to study whatever I want at grad school
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Earn as many scholarships as I can
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Be Shirley!
Where she’s going now:
Shirley is headed to Stanford University as NYU Shanghai’s first and China’s only winner of the prestigious Knight-Hennessey Fellowship.
“Reading what I wrote to myself four years ago, I laughed and I cried. It's like magic seeing how accurately they have captured my past four years even though I have completely forgotten that I had written them…. I guess it was the last sentence that did the alchemy. Yes, ‘Be Shirley!’ Be honest to myself and be open to explore and embrace all the unexpected. This way, whenever and wherever I look back, I will be grateful for my experience and satisfied with my growth.”
Brian Ho
Major: Interactive Media Arts
What he wrote back then:
“I want to make a large impact in whatever career field I end up in. In terms of NYU Shanghai, I hope to be a role model to my peers and an example others can look towards.”
Where he’s going now:
Brian is heading to to Chicago to be a freelance photographer and attend a computer science boot camp.
Yang Xiaohan
Major: Business and Finance and Data Science
What she wrote back then:
“I want to fit in with the community and bring happiness to people around me :)”
Where she’s going now:
Xiaohan will be returning to her home city of Chengdu to join a research project by the Institution of New Economic Development.
"I love my friends here in NYU Shanghai, and I'm grateful for their support along the way."
Hu Jianghao
Major: Interactive Media Arts
What he wrote back then:
“For me, studying in this global community of NYU Shanghai is going to be such a challenge, but for sure it’s gonna be an exciting and unforgettable experience as well!
During these upcoming years at NYU Shanghai, I hope to build up my confidence, since that’s what I’m lacking in now, and also equip myself with characteristics needed by global leaders.
But I also want to help spread NYU Shanghai spirit, and do my part to make NYU Shanghai a more fascinating and prestigious academic institution! And of course, wherever I go after graduation, I’ll certainly use what I’ve learnt from NYU Shanghai and show what I’m capable of to the vast world!”
Where he’s going now:
Jianghao is going to pursue a Master in Entertainment Technology at the Entertainment Technology Center at Carnegie Mellon University.
“Over the course of these four years…. I have definitely become more confident -- not only in my academic skills but also as a person. I've become more certain in pursuing what I want to do and what I think is right.”
Huang Xincheng
Major: Computer Science
What he wrote back then:
“As I’m now dreaming of studying IMA, I hope I will create things that can make life and the world better.”
Where he’s going now:
Xincheng will be pursuing a Master of Science in Computer Systems Engineering at the University of Michigan.
"After finding out that I am more interested in the technology components of Interactive Media Arts, I decided to double major in Computer Science with IMA. I feel that such a combination represents future needs of humanity in a tech-centric world, and looking back, I think I have had a rewarding four years. In graduate school, I will try to further study and research in such interdisciplinary fields such as Human-Computer Interaction".
Serena Clarisse Go Uy
Major: Global China Studies
What she wrote back then:
“I hope to help spread the word of how wonderful NYU Shanghai is through helping out in the Admissions process. I also wish to do my best at whatever job or endeavor I embark on. I believe that by giving my all, I will be able to make a difference in anything I can.”
What she says now:
“I am glad to have spent my four years at NYU Shanghai and am looking forward to embarking on my journey after graduation”
Chuck Zhu Junhan
Major: Business and Finance
What he wrote back then:
“My goal is to study MBA at NYU Stern School of Business. I’m really grateful for this chance to join the community at NYU Shanghai. I come from the western part of China, which is rich in resources but poor in development. When I graduate from NYU Shanghai, I would like to contribute to my hometown, and share my experiences to help my hometown develop faster. And I already love NYU Shanghai, I want to introduce NYU Shanghai to more people I know around me.”
Where he’s going now:
Chuck will be heading to Canada or Australia to pursue his Master’s degree. He says the Stern MBA is still one of his biggest life goals.
“This place is still the same, but the person is not anymore. In these four years, I learned empathy and cosmopolitanism. I participated in Jiuqian, a non-profit education organization dedicated to helping migrant children. NYU Shanghai has offered her love by helping with my own studies, and I felt it was my duty to pay it forward.”
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