Every year we see our Yenching Scholars off for a new journey starting at their graduation.
Our Scholars and alumni have been the Academy's treasures to be cherished forever. And we forge stronger ties within the YCA family, inviting alumni to share their experience and deliver precious memories to YCA alumni worldwide. Time cannot be stopped but can be sealed.
The Ginko tree leaves were collected in Shaoyuan in the autumn breeze in October, sealed as bookmarks in the winter warmth in November and sent to Yenching alumni scattered around the globe despite the cold in December.
Jovana Bogojevic, 2018 Yenching Scholar from Montenegro, said lovingly, "… this package warmed my heart and reminded me how much I miss YCA."
How far can a leaf travel? It drifted from the golden autumn in Shaoyuan into the snowy winter oceans away. The Graduation Gift Package was sent out to alumni who could not attend the graduation ceremony in person due to the pandemic. A package of surprise and love, it was packed with gifts, unforgettable memories, and YCA's best wishes for its alumni. There is always a warm home at YCA for our alumni, wherever they are, wherever they go.
Antonio R. Quiroz Soto from the 2018 Cohort found the Yenching Academy a place where one could attain their fullest potentials. He said he got closer to his dream every day thanks to his experience at YCA.
In the fall semester of the 2020–21 academic year, the Academy invited alumni to two Alumni Mentorship Chats on "PhD application and living and working in China" to help Scholars better plan their future and enhance Yenching Scholars-alumni communication. Alumni Markéta Bajgerová from the Czech Republic, Lynn Lee from South Korea, Suvina Singal from India, Antonio R. Quiroz Soto from Mexico and Nina Zholudeva from Russia joined the Alumni Mentorship Chats.
Lynn Lee, a PhD student, majoring in Security Studies at Princeton University, talked about her life in YCA from 2017 to 2019. She encouraged everyone to make full use of the resources YCA and PKU provide and forge a meaningful future. Finally, Antonio shared with the audience his life in Shenzhen and what he'd gained at Huawei.
Scholars found the Alumni Mentorship Chats inspiring and insightful, as their questions were well answered and confusions cleared, be they about the prospective future study plan or career route.
Here is the best wish for our excellent alumni: "Be brave as you go along because you'll always be loved and admired for what you've done. And our alumni are always welcome home. Your willingness to give and share will make YCA a warm place".
