Students showcase their skills in the global classroom

Zhang Yuyang: The globetrotting self-starter

Zhang Yuyang, 27, went overseas to study when she graduated from middle school at the age of 15.

In 2007, having earned a full scholarship, she attended a high school in Singapore, and then stayed abroad until she gained a master's in July.

In 2011, she went to the American University in Washington for undergraduate studies, during which she spent a semester as an exchange student at Ritsumeikan University in Japan.

In 2015, she stayed on the American University to study for a master's.

"I spent 10 years in three different countries, so studying overseas has become part of my life," she said.

"When the opportunity arose to study in Singapore, I did not consider how difficult it would be to get used to a completely new environment－all I thought was what an exciting and eye-opening experience it would be."

However, life was not always sunny and the grass is not always greener on the other side, she said.

Going to Singapore at a young age meant she had to become mature and independent faster than most of her peers.

In addition to linguistic and cultural barriers, she had to deal with loneliness, homesickness, discrimination and even racism.

"I could not talk to my parents on the phone every time I encountered a small problem, because they were unable to offer help and it would only make them worried," she said.

"I also found a loss of identity, because I had been abroad for too long and lost touch with what was happening back home, and yet I was considered an outsider because of being Chinese."

On a more positive note, studying overseas had an impact on Zhang's personality, making her more outgoing, independent and willing to communicate with others.

After gaining her master's, she chose to return to China and started work as a student enrollment officer at Tsinghua University's Schwarzman College, which in June 2016 started an international scholarship program designed to educate the next generation of global leaders.

"I came back because there are more international education opportunities in China than in the US. China is growing rapidly and I want to grow with the country," she said.