Looking back on the Four Years in NYU Shanghai

"My first vivid impression of NYU Shanghai was during the 2019 graduation season, when I first saw the Oriental Pearl Tower lit up in violet in honor of NYU Shanghai. I still remember the excitement and joy I had as a parent of a new student. Four years later, in just a blink of an eye, my daughter will be graduating, and the Pearl Tower will once again be illuminated in violet hues. Looking back, I feel a mix of emotions.

 

I am grateful to NYU Shanghai for providing a open and diverse environment where my child has grown rapidly in various areas: from learning to take classes in her second language in the first year to choosing a major in the second year, studying away during the pandemic in the third year, applying for graduate programs and choosing offers in the fourth year, and building skills such as giving Powerpoint presentations, writing thesis papers, conducting professional research projects, communicating with others, cooking, and exercising. Especially in the past two months, I was surprised by my child's independent thinking and clear self-planning, which was not influenced by external factors when choosing different graduate program offers. As parents, we watch from afar and wish them all the best.

 

I am also thankful for the help and guidance from the parents community at NYU Shanghai over the last four years. Parents from different cohorts have patiently answered various questions; from the initial anxiety about course and major selection, to the sharing of Study Away experiences, and even details about visas, overseas accommodations, and logistics. As long as we ask, there will always be an answer. I believe this kindness will continue to spread among people in the NYU Shanghai community .

 

No matter where we go after graduation, we will always remember our classmates and teammates, cherish our alma mater, and wish NYU Shanghai continued success."

 

-- Liu Xuemei, Class of 2023 Parent