208 students from 31 countries joined NYU Shanghai’s Study Away Programs this fall semester, one of the largest cohorts of study away students on campus in recent years. Most of the students came from NYU in New York, with 11 from NYU Abu Dhabi.
A record 18 visiting students from other universities also made up the cohort, with increased interest from students from Duke University, Reed College, and University of Michigan, among others.
The study away students were guided through orientation by NYU Shanghai students, who picked them up at the airport, helped them move in, and toured them around Shanghai. The Study Away Orientation Ambassadors taught them the ins and outs of China life—shopping, apps, transportation, and phones.
Vicki Zhang, a sophomore Global Public Health major at NYU Shanghai, was part of the study away students’ welcome crew. “I wanted to be one of the first friendly faces students met and help shape a positive first impression of our school and the community we are a part of,” she said. “I know how meaningful a warm welcome can be in an unfamiliar environment.”
“Although the unpredictable rain was not on our side, it made the trip even more exciting and encouraged us to enjoy every moment of it,” she recalled. “The students even practised their Mandarin with some local aunties and uncles we met at the Bund.”
At the University Welcome for study away students that kicked off their Orientation Week, Vice Provost of Academic and Faculty Affairs Ted Magder urged them to treat their time in China as a time of exploration and discovery and to avoid the impulse to judge one another based on differences.
Study Away Programs Specialist Milly Yin encouraged the students to grab every opportunity presented to them. “Use this semester to meet people you may not have had the chance to know at your home campus,” she advised them. “Find your travel buddies to explore Shanghai and China, make new friends, and build friendships that will last beyond your time here.”
Marcelo Barba Da Costa, an NYU junior from Florida, said that after studying in New York and Florence, he was looking forward to being part of the NYU Shanghai’s campus community. “I’m getting to know the people and people are really willing to connect and talk,” he said. “There's a real community aspect here at NYU Shanghai. It's much different from New York.”
NYU Abu Dhabi junior Shan Leo Yong, from Malaysia, wanted to study away in Shanghai to get in touch with his cultural heritage. It’s been a bit overwhelming at first, he said, but a really rewarding experience so far. “I really like the ‘learning-outside-the-classroom’ framework used in a lot of the classes here, which allows us to go on a plethora of field trips,” he reflected.
Shan Leo said his biggest win so far has been being selected for NYU Shanghai’s Creativity + Innovation Fellowship which will allow him the opportunity to travel to different provinces in China while working on a personal project of short reflections through the lens of Chinese proverbs.
“Something I was surprised about was how diverse China is,” he said. “I just want to be able to travel to as many places in China as possible and meet as many new people as possible.”
Throughout the semester, NYU Shanghai’s Study Away Programs will continue to take students on trips around Shanghai and surrounding areas including nearby Zhujiajiao watertown, to boost their understanding of China.