Spotlights type: Past events

From culture shock, to mentorship, yoga and the weather, the YCYW Virtual Alumni Week, held 9–12 June, was a smorgasbord of ideas, stories and inspiration. The event, attended by 130 participants over nine sessions, was a big success and greatly enjoyed by students, parents and staff.

Kicking off the event was Alessandro Davidoni. After the initial culture shock, international student Ale mastered ways to overcome his transition challenges. But he remained true to himself. Skills that he developed during his IB studies at YCIS helped him stay on track.

Over the course of several jobs, the unassuming and humble Wilson Cheung developed his ‘five rules’ for a brighter future: stay curious, be disciplined, manage your emotions, give freely to inspire others, and remain confident in your abilities. Wilson shared his experience of lifelong learning, demonstrating clearly how he is contributing to the world.

For lawyers, the ability to critically analyse the ‘whys’ and ‘whats’ is the key to success. Lester Lee reckons that any person who is curious and enjoys hearing both sides of an argument, could likely opt for a legal career path. But, most importantly, you should learn how to be a good person first. This is the key to success in this profession.

As a career mentor, Sze Kwan-ki has helped many young adults thrive and grow. In the post-COVID era, many companies will be looking for employees with new skills that can help expand their business in a fast-changing world. People skills and the ability to adapt to technology are now important tools to help overcome the challenges of working remotely. Whether you are a student or a young professional, you should look for skills that will help you succeed in the new ways of working.

Midway through the week, Tiffany Lee shared her insights on environmental sustainability – a topic everyone on this planet should get familiar with. There are plenty of ways that both corporations and individuals can contribute to a healthy environment, such as consuming only as much as you need, decreasing beef consumption, purchasing locally, and so on. Digital and electronic waste that we create is another important issue. A small change in our behaviour can make a big difference to help sustain the environment for the next generation.

Christine Fung has been working in the marketing field for a number of years. As social media has become increasingly accessible, many now strive to become key opinion leaders (KOL) or influencers on different online channels. However, being a marketer is more than just saying what you have on your mind. Having a clear purpose and a creative approach is the key.

Closing the series, we had three intriguing topics introduced by Anna Cheng, Andy Lai and Li Liping. Anna is a yoga instructor. She demonstrated a variety of postures that can help you relax while working at a desk. Fancy that! Health and work, combined. Remember to always listen to your body so that you can have a healthy and balanced life.

The Hong Kong Observatory issued the standby signal No.1 the night before Andy Lai’s session. As it turned out, our very own weatherman Andy was on duty helping manage the signal changes as a storm front approached. Studying abroad to obtain his PhD degree, Andy worked hard to pursue his passion for meteorology, finally becoming a weather specialist.

Last but not least, Li Liping from Shanghai shared his experience in launching a start-up in the rapidly developing online gaming industry. This business requires several skills and Liping was fortunate enough to have acquired some of these during his IB courses at YCIS. He picked up the ability to think critically, accounting and communication knowledge, as well as business skills. Crucially, he developed the ability to understand – and take – risks. After all, start-ups are a risky proposition. And he learnt to manage his time effectively, an important ingredient in achieving life goals.

Over nearly 90 years of educational development, innovation and excellence, YCYW has nurtured numerous alumni who have devoted themselves not just to careers, but in passionately giving back to society. Their unique and inspiring experiences continue to encourage our community. Thanks again to all our speakers.

We hope to see you all again at our exciting alumni engagements. If you would like to learn more, please contact us at secretariat@alumni.ycef.com.

What an amazing reunion, YCIS Hong Kong Class of 2011! It has been 10 years since your graduation and we are so proud to see you all on 26 June in your class reunion. The joy and excitement of witnessing you unveiling your time capsule was truly overwhelming. The photos finally came to light again after 10 years. Its colour might have faded but your friendships last. We sincerely hope to see you again as one after another 10 years, and many years to come. Once again, congratulations on your 10th anniversary!

The Virtual Fun Kitchen event was successfully held on 27 March.  Special thanks to YCCECE PPDS and centre teachers for hosting such an interesting session with families of our parents and alumni!

"Great and successful family activity it is, particularly during this difficult time over COVID-19. My daughter, Florence enjoyed the event very much and adored the host teachers dearly. We have had the food prepared based on the host’s recipe as our lunch and it came to our surprise that it was unexpectedly delicious. Holding a family cooking class is never easy, especially by way of virtual media. Our utmost appreciation to YCCECE and YCIS Alumni Office for all their effort and endeavour and our family look forward to participating in the next Yew Chung family event soon!"

- Robert Sit, Class of 2005

And now, with the bubbles still fresh in our mouths and a hint of wind in the hair, a quick look back at our first alumni wine tasting event. Special thanks to our wonderful host, Aaron Chung – YCIS Hong Kong Class of 2008 and the director of One Cellar Hong Kong – who dug up a choice selection of reds from regions as diverse as France, Argentina, USA and New Zealand. After all, it is the soil and climate that make the grape.

Participants enjoyed a global vineyard tour, savouring hidden aromas and coy flavours, fully employing the senses of sight, scent and taste. Aaron guided the group through a virtual wine tasting experience pointing out how to gauge colours, detect elusive scents and pick up new notes and flavours on the tongue.

There was a look at the elements that go into wine making along with fun facts. But hang on, where’s the wine? Well, that came in a pre-ordered package for each participant.

In between sips and nibbles, everyone listened with rapt attention on a Zoom screen, savouring tastes and zeroing in on personal favourites. Although COVID-19 prevented us from physically meeting and clinking glasses with the 12 participants (alumni as well as current and former staff), we all enjoyed the exchange with fellow mildly sozzled companions from across the world.

So, salute, chin chin, gān bēi, gesondheid, santé… and see you all again at future alumni activities. Don’t miss out!

On October 9, 2020, Yew Chung International Schools and Yew Wah International Education Schools celebrated Founder’s Day. Students, staff members and parents across the YCYW network in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Qingdao, Guangzhou, Tongxiang, Yantai, Rizhao, Shenzhen and Silicon Valley in the US, participated through a live steam to celebrate the 88th anniversary of YCYW.

Following a sports theme, students and teachers organised and participated in athletic, musical and academic events. Their laughter and applause helped lift some of the pandemic depression and filled the campuses once again with positive cheer.

Dr Betty Chan Po-king, the CEO and School Supervisor of YCYW, reminded us in her inspiring speech at the opening ceremony that we are undergoing a special period full of challenges. “This pandemic has brought out the best in us. It has strengthened our resolve to serve our community, whose wonderful support has helped carry us forward. And it has renewed our faith and purpose. The future may be uncertain, but our mission is absolutely clear,” she said.

The year 2020 marked the 25th anniversary of Yew Chung International School of Beijing (YCIS Beijing). Dr Chan also wished a happy birthday to YCIS Beijing and shared some anecdotes and memories of the school’s beginnings.

The new Alumni Hall of Fame – established to recognise those who have made significant contributions to the community – also made this Founder’s Day special. Aaron Shea, Class of 1999 from YCIS Hong Kong, Chelsea Chen, Class of 2015 from YWIES Shanghai Gubei and Mika Ulmet, Class of 2012 from YCIS Shanghai became the first alumni to receive this honour. Their significant contributions to charity, the movie industry, and in NGO work stirred the imagination of younger students as they considered their own future paths to success.

Aaron Shea, Class of 1999, YCIS Hong Kong

Chelsea Chen, Class of 2015, YWIES Shanghai Gubei

Mika Ulmet, Class of 2012, YCIS Shanghai

Founder’s Day is celebrated on the second Friday of October each year to commemorate YCYW founder Madam Tsang Chor-hang and her bold forward-thinking vision for education when she started her first school in 1932 with the mission of “honouring China”. Her unwavering commitment has been to holistic learning and the development of the whole person with a special focus on nurturing talent. Each Founder’s Day, YCYW schools hold a series of meaningful events to spark curiosity and build young minds.

The first YCYW Virtual Alumni Day was held successfully on June 3, 2020. Over 200 people joined this event and gave positive feedback. There were 11 sharing sessions with topics covering online learning platform in the future trend, tips to stay positive, studying abroad, career sharing and internships & job-hunting. The rich and diverse contents reflected the fact that we have numerous talented alumni in our strong Yew Chung Yew Wah community.

In “Future Trends, the Online Learning Platform Development in the Post-COVID-19 Era”, Mr Wayne Tai, playing a key role in NAOS, based on his working experience analysed the pros and cons of using traditional learning tools and modern online platforms.

“Dealing with Uncertainty – Tips to Stay Positive and Productive” by Mr Louis Cochin can be the best medicine for many people affected by the novel coronavirus epidemic. He emphasised that the key principle to manage psychological health would be “Hope for the best but prepare for the worst”, and he shared the tips on building up positive thinking step by step.

In “Studying abroad: Adventures and Challenges”, we have invited Ms Nicole Tong, Mr Royce Yu, Ms Emerson Liu, Ms Esther Ng, Mr Osman Chiu and Ms Chelsea Chen to talk about their thoughts and experience of studying in Australia, the UK and the US after graduating from Yew Chung / Yew Wah. From their sharing, students can see culture differences of countries and be inspired to choose the countries that best suit them to study abroad.

Yew Chung / Yew Wah alumni contributed to society in serval professional areas. Some of them are artists, psychologists, lawyers, businessmen and engineers. Ms Chelsea Chen, Ms Jessica Lam, Mr Jason Chan, Mr Sam Zhang and Ms Crystal Chen talked about their personal insights on and skills in how to pursue interests and careers. They set good examples for the students who have the same ambitions as they do.

Mr Jason Chan gave tips to students who will participate in internship in the session “Internships and Job-Hunting: Recruitment Tips and Advice”. He said during internship, there is no need to be too sociable and it is better not to get drunk. Ms Nicole Tong advised students to use more “action words” in their resume and emphasise the transferable skills they equipped in projects to make their resume appealing.

All the sharing by our alumni is rich in content and valuable. We also welcome Class of 2020 to the Yew Chung Yew Wah community as alumni, their new identity. Yew Chung / Yew Wah Foundation will always support everyone in this family. Ms Josephine Lo, Advancement and Alumni Relations Manager, shared on how the new graduates can make the most out of the strong and powerful network of Yew Chung and Yew Wah alumni. We encouraged our alumni to keep contact with us on the social media platform and try out the amazing alumni experience by joining our alumni activities all over the world.

The inspiring sharing of alumni speakers, enthusiastic response of participants and full-hearted support from Yew Chung Yew Wah communities are all the keys to success of this Alumni Day. We believe the spirit of Yew Chung and Yew Wah will be passed on and our alumni will continue to devote themselves to their professions. We hope to see you again in our future exciting alumni activities.

If you have any questions, please contact us via secretariat@alumni.ycef.com.

Thank you for the good weather, Alumni Family Fun Day 2020 was successfully held. Under the guidance of our Yew Chung educators, children explored Pamela Peck Discovery Space (PPDS). Little talented “performers” sang and danced on stage while potential “make-up artists” were busy helping adults to make hair and wear make-up at backstage. “Architects” built roads and tunnels. “Adventurers” climbed up and down to overcome obstacles outdoors.

Children ventured through every corner of PPDS, raising questions and working with each other. The alumni parents also had a great time talking with friends and shared their memorable moments of school life at YCIS or YWIES. The success of this family fun day relies on every support and participation. We hope to have fun with you all again in the near future.

It was an awesome threehours at LIT Coffee & Beer in Seoul, drinking and catching up with our alumni community for our second Seoul Alumni Gathering! Thank you all for coming and I hope you all had a great time; our event wouldn’t have been successful without you all! A special thank goes to Mr Jinwoo Hwang, our YCIS Shanghai Puxi alumnus. He is also our South Korea alumni representative who initiated and helped a lot with co-ordinating this event!

Apart from all the drinking and chatting with new and old friends, a fun little bingo game was there to help our alumni to open up and connect with each other more! We were also very honoured and glad to see the most recent developments of our schools through a speech given by our Director of Institutional Advancement (China) Ms Rachel Zhao.This year, we have also welcomed our alumni co-ordinators, Ms Luciene Hang from Shanghai, Mr Daniel Kang from Qingdao and Ms Christina Oh from Yantai to introduce themselves to our alumni!

We are really thankful and happy to see how our alumni are engaged and attached with their alma mater and show huge interests in the upcoming developments! We are also glad to see our alumni community growing bigger each time we meet! Again, thank you for joining us this time in Seoul.I’m sure we will meet again in our future alumni activities. Hope to hear from you soon.Don’t hesitate to share your thoughts and experience with us.