Words from Class of 2023 Graduates
Tianqi Wu, MSDABC '23
Time has flown by, and it seems like it was just yesterday when I attended the orientation for the program in New York on June 1st, 2022. If I had to sum up the past academic year, I would use the word "transitions". From 2022 to 2023, the global pandemic undoubtedly left an indelible mark on history. The emergence of GPT marked a significant milestone in the development of artificial intelligence and ushered in a new era of natural language processing. In addition, our NYU Shanghai transitioned from its former location on Century Avenue to the New Bund campus. As young individuals, we are constantly adapting and changing the world in response to the ever-evolving dynamics of society and the environment.
As of this year, I have been with NYU Shanghai for five years, almost half of its life. Looking back on what NYU Shanghai has taught me, from my first undergraduate course “Global Perspectives on Society” to our final graduate course "Network Analytics", I believe one of the most valuable lessons I learned is to perceive the world with an open mind and to actively integrate into it with enthusiasm, thus truly embodying the school's motto of “make the world our major”.
The concept is evident in different facets of our master's program. The program offered abundant opportunities for us to communicate with the financial centers of the East and the West, Shanghai and New York. We enjoyed the beautiful scenery of the Hudson River at sunset, cheered for the winner of the baseball games at Yankee Stadium, strolled along the Huangpu River, and shared our goals under the gaze of the Oriental Pearl Tower.
In our DABC program, we learned the advanced applications of data analytics in a concrete and structured manner, from data processing, to business insights generation. Through guest lectures, we enjoyed access to insights and analyses from seasoned professionals in various regions and fields. With the experiences provided by NYU Shanghai, we have been able to accumulate knowledge, broaden our horizons, and view everything in a more comprehensive manner.
As we graduate and prepare for our career path, we are facing another transition in our life. I have myself full confidence, that what we gained at NYU Shanghai will continue to help us face the transitions at every stage of our lives, a broader perspective, the courage to adapt to changes, a clear sense of purpose and the expertise to pursue our goals.
Zixiao Liu, MSQF '23
Since the first day of this program, I have been asking myself, time and time again, “why am I here?” Is it just for a better job placement? Is it just about the reputation of both institutions? After a year of searching, the answers turn out to lie in my experience in this program and in this school.
The four master of science programs are jointly offered by NYU Stern and NYU Shanghai. The curriculum combines the best of both schools and is tailored to business environments both in China and the US with a group of stellar faculty members from both NYU Stern and NYU Shanghai guiding us in their fields of expertise, be it managing an organization, developing a marketing campaign, or mining insights from thousands of data entries. Personally, I think the best part of each class was when the professor said, “let’s talk about the ‘China side’”, and started a comparative examination on China’s business environment. In our Quantitative Finance program, we have a dedicated course titled “Chinese Financial Market”, taught by Prof Lin Han Shen, or as we jokingly call him, “Lin Hang Zhang”, for he was the former country head of an international financial institution in China. The faculty, students and course make the program truly a business education with global perspectives.
Aside from our education, I must applaud the resilience of our cohort. Last summer, we completed five classes in hybrid mode. Those who stayed in Shanghai stayed up late or woke up early to take classes due to the time difference and worked together remotely to complete group assignments. This spring, we moved from our Century Ave campus to this beautiful Qiantan campus. Being the first and the only cohort to have studied on both campuses, we have bridged the history and the future of NYU Shanghai. Throughout this year, we completed a capstone project with a reputable multinational or a local firm, and our work might have shaped their future strategies in China.
Most importantly, we found directions and values in our life. Some of us will continue to pursue another degree; some will join academia; and some will enter the workforce. For me, I have discovered my passion for management consulting through leading the consulting interest group as an ambassador for the Center for Career Development.
The world is a fast-changing place. During this year, we have witnessed intensified geopolitical tensions, high inflation in the world economy, and, as a result, disruption in all sectors. It has also been a period of accelerated reverse globalization, driven by polarized views. What used to be mutual understanding is turning into misunderstanding. These recent developments hint at the importance of global education, as cross-cultural communication and constructive discussions nurture common grounds.
Now back to my question, why am I here? To be the bridge between China and the rest of the world, to be the global talent of whom the world is in dire need, in a Sino-American venture that sets an example of a healthy relationship among China, the US, and the rest of the world.
Fangfang Chen, TESOL '23
I am a public school English teacher in a mountain city in Fujian and a mother of two beautiful children. At a very young age, I dreamed about studying abroad, maybe because I had watched too much American TV. To me, studying in an overseas dream school was, and probably still is, the coolest thing in the whole world. However, the journey from bachelor's to master's degree spanned a challenging 17 years. Nothing came easy. Should I have a chance to time travel, I would like to tell the little girl with big dreams “thank you for not quitting”. Though it may take me another 17 years to pursue my next degree, that’s OK, better late than never.
In our courses, since the very beginning, professors would try different ways for us to introduce ourselves. There was an assignment about a video to elaborate on our identity. That was the first time I viewed seriously and valued my different learning experiences. While city kids were playing video games, I was reading aloud in the field. The breeze and leaves were my audience and their movements were my applause. I didn’t have access to any extra tutoring besides school courses. I developed my own learning system and I did whatever I wanted in my spare time. I dreamed a lot about my future. Though not rich in reality, I ruled a prosperous kingdom in my mind. I told my story in the video and got a lot of warmhearted encouragement from my classmates and professors. The process helped me realize that my voice and my ideas deserve to be heard and respected.
The expansive horizons and diverse perspectives NYU Shanghai offered have truly made the world my major. Peers from all walks of life with different stripes forged an inclusive and inspiring culture. Technically, I am one of the “old” members in my program but I felt a lot younger around my classmates because learning with them was so rejuvenating. I was motivated and humbled by their bold thinking and outside-the-box approach. How I wish we had hung out more.
As Taylor Swift said in the 2022 NYU Commencement Speech, “Not a single one of us here today has done it alone. We are each a patchwork quilt of those who have loved us, those who have believed in our futures, and those who showed us empathy and kindness or told us the truth even when it wasn’t easy to hear”, I owe my accomplishments to my family, friends, professors and classmates for without them, I wouldn’t be who I am today, someone I’m so proud of.
Yu Xu, TESOL '23
Allow me to take you back to that summer of 2021 when our learning journey commenced. In the Structure of American English course, I vividly remember in the very first lesson, we were introduced to the concept of wearing two hats - the hat of an educator and the hat of a student. This course was also a farewell to the monotonous grammar classes and a liberation to explore innovative teaching approaches.
As we delved further into our studies, the course The Theory and Practice of Teaching World Language opened our minds to the theories, principles, and methodologies of second language acquisition. It equipped us with a profound understanding of language learning and teaching, enabling us to seamlessly integrate theory into practice. And who can forget the soul-stirring experience of the Academic Writing course, in which we learned the art of expressing ourselves with the utmost freedom and clarity? The mantra of "write drunk, edit sober" has become a guiding principle in my academic pursuits.
Throughout this journey, mentors have been our spiritual pillars. They not only enriched our knowledge but also instilled in us the courage to explore and grow. The dedication, inclusive approach and professionalism of our tutors were evident in their meticulous feedback on our projects and their patient guidance during the final project presentations. I recall a moment of vulnerability when I expressed my fears and self-doubt to my mentor. She responded with profound wisdom, saying, "Keep walking, and you will see it when you build it." Those words resonated within me, reminding me of the resilience and strength we possess as individuals.
Equally instrumental to our growth and development were our fellow classmates. The NYU TESOL program brought together a diverse group of individuals, each with unique perspectives and experiences. Despite our differences, we shared a common passion for teaching and learning. Our classroom discussions were vibrant and thought-provoking, challenging us to expand our horizons and refine our ideas. Together, we tackled group assignments, collaborated on projects, and engaged in lively debates . It is these shared experiences and the bond we have forged that have made our journey all the more meaningful and rewarding.
While our time at NYU TESOL was marked by intensive work and study, it was not without its moments of joy and camaraderie. The offline classes we were fortunate to experience brought us together in a tangible, face-to-face setting, allowing for free-flowing interactions and a return to the purest form of student life. However, the challenges posed by the global pandemic necessitated a transition to online learning. Despite the physical distance, we managed to create a dynamic and interactive learning community through synchronous and asynchronous sessions. Our blog posts, Wiki, glossaries, and online forums became virtual spaces for intellectual exchange and mutual support.
As we bid farewell to this chapter of our lives and embark on new endeavors, let us remember the invaluable experiences we have gained and the bonds we have formed. The friendships we have cultivated will forever hold a special place in our hearts, and the memories we have created will be cherished for a lifetime.
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