Leaders of China centers of five top U.S. universities at UWC Changshu China 

On November 14, 2020, leaders of China centers of Harvard, Yale, Stanford, University of Chicago and Cornell, visited UWC Changshu China. They held a panel discussion to share their views and outlook in the field of higher education with students and teachers of UWC and CWA. 

During the discussion led by Yi Wang, Executive Director of Harvard Center Shanghai and Co-founder and Vice Chair of UWC Changshu China, panelists talked about the flow of students, scholars and ideas in the wake of presidential election in the U.S., gave advice to and answered questions from students and teachers. 

Yi Wang leading the discussion 

They expressed their universities’ commitment to welcoming students from China, their determination to embrace a free and inclusive academic environment, and their belief that U.S.- China cooperation in the field of education, science and other fields will continue despite recent difficulties. 

Josh Cheng, Executive Director of Stanford Center at PKU, stated that such cooperation is a vital part of the global process, of the university’s mission to discover the world and to discover humanity. 

Josh Chening, Executive Director of Stanford Centre at PKU

Carol Li Rafferty, Founding Managing Director of Yale Center Beijing, shared her own family member’s story of seeking higher education in the U.S., spending one month traversing the Pacific Ocean during WWII from Hong Kong. Endeavor made by earlier generations gave her strong belief that education could help them reaching wherever they aspire to go.  

Carol sharing her family story 

Speaking on the future of U.S. - China exchange, Zening Ge, Executive Director of University of Chicago Center, described this as a train that had already departed. “People to people’s communication and exchanges will not stop.”

Zening Ge,  Executive Director of University of Chicago Center

Carol said she has always believed that a liberal arts education is one of the best ways to prepare students for future challenges.  She considered “UWC as the best education for preparing students for liberal arts education.” Josh Cheng considered U.S. universities as the most versatile academic institutions that can provide tailored higher education to everyone, to meet students’ different interests or passions to better prepare for the uncertainties. 

Ying Hua, Director of Cornell China Center, pinpointed the imperative of developing one’s flexibility because the world is undergoing rapid change. Her advice to students is to be proactive, as university will provide students with a dynamic platform where they need to capture their own opportunities; to be flexible in dealing with uncertainties, see the positive side of the challenges and have close friends for mutual support especially amidst difficulties and pressure. 

Ying Hua, Director of Cornell China Center 

When asked what kind of students top universities are looking for, Yi Wang highlighted four key dimensions: 

Dimension 1：

Potential and willingness to challenge themselves.

Dimension 2：

Personal qualities of students, such as maturity, confidence, and a sense of humor. 

Dimension 3：

Personal interest – not just having an interest, but what students have done to pursue such interest.

Dimension 4：

Contribution to the community. Universities look for students who can make a positive impact on others during college years and beyond.

At the end of the session, panelists shared some inspiring words with students.  

“You are so lucky to study in such a supportive environment. Whatever you want to achieve, go for it!”

“Keep an open mind.”

“Start to smell the flowers.”

“Treasure your time at UWC.”

In closing, Yi Wang told students that top universities and colleges love UWC students, and therefore “the best preparation you can make to get in is to be a true UWCer!”