Event Update | Inaugural Pan-Regional New Year Celebration by RUC NAAA

North America Alumni Association of Renmin University

First-ever comprehensive joint new student welcome event

After the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic and border closures in 2020, the 2021 study abroad season gradually began with caution. On September 3rd, the North America Alumni Association of Renmin University, together with 10 local Renmin University alumni organizations from the United States and Canada, successfully held an online North America joint new student welcome event via Zoom. They warmly welcomed Renmin University alumni from the 2020 and 2021 cohorts who went to the United States and Canada for further studies. They also invited recent graduates and young talented alumni from North America to share their experiences and insights on studying, working, and living with the new students.

Mr. Yang Jun, the Education Counselor of the Consulate General of China in New York, delivered the opening remarks. He welcomed the young alumni to study in the United States and Canada. He introduced the responsibilities of the Consulate General in New York and the assistance provided by the Consulate General to help North American students combat the pandemic and racial discrimination. Counselor Yang advised the students to strengthen their safety awareness, pay attention to personal safety, and wished them a safe, healthy, and successful study experience.

Alumni Dawson Lee (Class of 1978, Industrial Economics), the Chairman of the North America Alumni Association of Renmin University, delivered a speech on behalf of the alumni association and all North American alumni, welcoming the students who are going to study in North America this year. He emphasized that in this era of the pandemic, everyone will face various challenges. If they encounter difficulties in their studies and lives, he encouraged them to contact the North America Alumni Association, the embassy, or the consulate in a timely manner, as they will provide assistance. He advised the new students to pay attention to personal safety, take preventive measures against the pandemic, and wished them success in their careers and studies.

It is reported that in order to welcome the new students, the North America Alumni Association sent greeting emails to the new students based on the information provided by the alma mater half a month in advance. They also formed a WeChat group with more than 200 members, directly connecting the main responsible persons of the North America Alumni Association, representatives of local alumni associations, and the new students, allowing the new students to integrate into the alumni association family as quickly as possible.

1. Gathering of Talents

Representatives from the 10 local alumni associations and the North America Alumni Association introduced their respective alumni associations and welcomed the new students to join.

Xu Junjun (Class of 2007, Demography) as the President of the Atlanta Branch of the North America Alumni Association, congratulated the new students on coming to North America for further studies and expressed hope that everyone would eventually achieve their goals and make studying in North America the right decision. He mentioned that the Atlanta Alumni Association is the first branch directly affiliated with the North America Alumni Association. In 2018, they hosted the academic symposium commemorating the 40th anniversary of China-U.S. diplomatic relations in Atlanta. He hoped that the alumni association could serve as a bridge for building China-U.S. relations. He wished everyone a successful academic journey and an enjoyable life.

Gu Ying (Class of 1987, History), the President (Provisional) of the Houston Branch of the North America Alumni Association, shared the preparatory process of the Houston Alumni Association. She hoped that the Houston Branch could become a home for Renmin University alumni in the Southwest United States, providing assistance in life, employment, and study to alumni.

The Vice President of the Boston Alumni Association, Yang Guang (Class of 2008, Business School), introduced that the Boston Alumni Association mainly covers the New England region. Alumni from different industries and backgrounds can provide assistance in various aspects to new international students. Especially during the pandemic, the alumni association serves as a strong support system for everyone.

Yanjun Liu, the President of the Toronto Alumni Association (Class of 1987, Economics), stated that since its establishment, the Toronto Alumni Association has organized diverse alumni activities and formed various sports teams and university choirs. They have also conducted various online events during the pandemic. Additionally, WeChat groups serve as a communication platform, providing alumni with resources and information.

Xiao Liu, the President of the Washington Alumni Association (Class of 2006, Business School), mentioned that the Washington Alumni Association has been established for over 15 years, with more than 600 registered alumni. It primarily serves alumni in the greater Washington, D.C. area, including international students, embassies, and international organizations. The Washington Alumni Association organizes a wide range of activities, including internal events and joint activities with other universities and international institutions.

Tianchun Lou, the President of the San Francisco Alumni Association (Class of 1986, Graduate Program in Economics), stated that older alumni have an obligation to help new alumni adapt to their new studies, work, and life in North America. He described the rich activities organized by the San Francisco Alumni Association, including financial sharing sessions and career experience sharing. He also shared insights into life during the pandemic and wished alumni safety and success.

Zhikang Qiu, the President of the Michigan Alumni Association (Class of 1985, International Relations), welcomed everyone. He introduced the Michigan Alumni Association, which has organized numerous enriching activities during various festivals and hosted visits from university leaders.

Xufeng Li, the Executive Vice President of the Vancouver Alumni Association (Class of 1989, Economics), mentioned that the Vancouver Alumni Association has about 300 active members. They not only organize social events and mutual assistance in daily life but also provide lectures and activities for lifelong learning. They have dedicated places for learning and sharing as well.

Xiaobing Zhu, the President of the Seattle Alumni Association (Class of 1978, Journalism), welcomed new students. She expressed great joy in seeing the growing number of Peking University alumni in the Seattle area, especially in science and technology fields. She hoped that alumni from various industries would help each other and utilize the role of the alumni association.

Lei Wang, the President of the Chicago Alumni Association (Class of 1986, Philosophy), encouraged everyone to continuously learn, observe, think, and grow in their new life journey. The Chicago Alumni Association hosts annual Mid-Autumn Festival and Spring Festival galas. During the pandemic, they organized online Spring Festival galas, job search, and career development lectures. She welcomed everyone to join the Chicago Alumni Association and hoped it would contribute to the development of U.S.-China relations.

Beiqing Huang, the Vice President of the North America Alumni Association (Class of 2010, Foreign Languages), introduced the organizational structure and responsibilities of the North America Alumni Association, which include the activity organization department (developing activity plans and exploring alumni resources), website management department (daily operation and maintenance of the official website), and media operation department (publishing activity promotions and coordinating guest speakers). He also introduced the main activities organized by the North America Alumni Association, including online events during the pandemic, as well as the annual Mingde Forum, offline social gatherings, Nine-Schools Alumni Association events, and various small-scale offline activities. He welcomed everyone to actively join the North America Alumni Association and contribute their own efforts to the association.

2. Experience Sharing

Five young alumni shared their experiences of studying, interning, working, and living in North America with their junior fellow students.

Alumni Nie Jianyi (2012, Social Demography) shared tips on how to quickly improve language skills. She emphasized several points: Acknowledge yourself - encouraging everyone to believe in themselves, having an accent is not scary, what matters is to express your ideas clearly. Expose yourself - listen more, imitate more. Practice - practice more, such as attending lectures and actively engaging. She also recommended joining Toastmasters to practice public speaking skills.

Alumni Liu Yingtong (2010, School of Foreign Languages) shared her experience of applying for and pursuing a Ph.D. After graduating from Renmin University with a bachelor's degree, she developed a strong interest in linguistics and went to the Netherlands to pursue a research-oriented master's degree, receiving systematic training. In order to continue her studies in a world academic center, she chose to pursue a Ph.D. in linguistics at Harvard.

Alumni Zhou Jinghui (2012, School of Science) shared her experience of transitioning into the field of coding. After six months of practicing and applying, she successfully received an offer from Amazon. She shared how to assess whether coding is suitable for oneself and how to prepare for interviews with large internet companies and startups.

Alumni Pan Qichang (2009, School of Journalism) introduced the career development in the finance field, including the classification of the finance industry, common positions and functional departments, and the requirements for professionals in various positions. Finally, based on her own experience in the finance field, she shared her insights on learning and working, as well as how to improve communication skills and socialize.

Alumni Xu Junjun (2007, Social Demography) discussed the topic of choosing to stay in the United States or return to China. He analyzed the differences between the United States and China in terms of industry and lifestyle, and advised everyone to analyze the short-term and long-term pros and cons from their own industry perspective. He pointed out that proactive choice is better than passive arrangements, and he also hoped that everyone could explore more of the United States while studying and have a stronger foundation and experiences for future choices.

3. Sincere Wishes

Finally, Alumni Wu Yafeng (1995, National Economic Management), the president of the North America Alumni Association, delivered a speech. He expressed that although offline welcoming events could not be held due to the pandemic, the online joint activities organized by Renmin University alumni organizations across North America are groundbreaking, marking the first gathering of the North America Alumni Association. He stated that today's event fully embodies the two core functions of the alumni association platform: networking and mutual assistance. The alumni association represents the broadest networking channel and alumni resources, and the North America Alumni Association is committed to continuously providing resources and assistance, establishing a positive image of Renmin University in North America. By giving roses to others, one's hand will also carry the fragrance. He also called on new students to actively join the alumni association, and in the process of serving alumni and society, achieve personal growth, enrichment, and accumulation.

Coordination: Huang Beiqing

Moderator: Nie Jianyi

Writing: Huang Ruofu

Formatting: Feng Xuejiao

About "RUC NAAA"

The Renmin University of China North America Alumni Association (RUCNAAA) is a non-profit organization based on alumni relationships. It was initiated in 2014, registered in June 2015, and obtained 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service in March 2018. The operational headquarters is located in New York City, and its member network spans major cities in the United States and Canada. RUCNAAA's mission is to establish a communication platform for alumni to connect with each other and share resources, as well as to create more opportunities and channels for mutual benefit and career development for alumni worldwide.

In December 2018, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter wrote a special letter to RUCNAAA, stating, "It is hard to imagine forty years ago that an elite Chinese university like Renmin University could establish such an active and strong alumni association in the United States. Through your alumni association, it is evident how much progress China has made and what achievements a country can attain by investing in education."

Warm welcome is extended to alumni and friendly organizations to support the Renmin University of China North America Alumni Association.