Yanwen’s blog

Tuesday, June, 24, 2025

There are so many things I’d like to write about, but something unexpected happened yesterday—and lingered into today—that I feel compelled to let out.

On Sunday, I received a text from our electricity provider:

“ConEd Alert: A heatwave is on the way this week. We'll be working 24/7 to keep service reliable. You can help by limiting your energy use between 2 and 10 pm. If you do lose power, reply OUT to get updates…”

The next morning, Monday, I drove to the YMCA for my daily swim. It was already hot and humid, and I was looking forward to cooling off in the pool. But something felt off as I pulled into the parking lot: a cluster of ConEd trucks, a few staff cars.

Inside, I learned: IMPORTANT NOTICE (June 23, 2025) The Cross Island Y is currently experiencing power outages throughout the building due to the heat wave. Both pools are currently closed as we work with Con Edison to fully restore power.

Today, hoping the issue might be resolved, I checked online to make sure—only to find the pool was still closed. Reopening date: To Be Determined.

On any ordinary day, the YMCA is full of life—people exercising, children laughing, seniors chatting. During a heatwave, it becomes more than just a gym; it's a refuge. A place where vulnerable members of the community, especially the elderly, come to stay active, social and safe.

And yet, here we are—power outages in one of the world’s wealthiest cities, not because of a hurricane or natural disaster, but simply because it’s hot.

Whenever there’s extreme weather—scorching heat or bitter cold—we get text alerts from the power company asking us to limit energy use. We sincerely follow the advice. And still, the grid falters. It makes me wonder: how can a country that spends billions and billions on foreign wars fall short on something so basic as keeping the lights on and the air conditioning running when heat hit?

In a democracy, shouldn't people have more say in where their tax dollars go?

These small everyday disruptions remind me of the fragility of the systems we depend on. And they raise questions not just about electricity or infrastructure, but about priorities, justice, and the definition of good governance.

A real story I need to tell today.

Our recent alumni gathering in New York was the result of months of effort from a team of dedicated volunteers. But despite our best intentions, turnout was lower than expected. This led us to reflect: What makes people choose to show up? What would make these events feel more alive, more relevant—and ultimately, more meaningful?

The answer may lie not in better logistics, but in re-presenting the purpose of alumni events as reflecting on who we’ve become, and further imagine who we’re still becoming.

What We’re Really Looking For

In today’s fast-paced, fragmented world, people show up when something speaks to their deeper needs—emotional, intellectual, or existential. Loyalty and past shared experience alone no longer suffice.

What people seek now is relevance, usefulness, and resonance. Whether consciously or not, they often ask themselves: “What will I gain from being there? How will this enrich my life?” If they don't see clear direct benefit to them, they simply choose not to go.

Therefore, we might begin by asking: What can we offer them? 

-- A space to pause and reflect on the meaning of their journey

-- A chance to share life stories that shaped them and have them published

-- A moment of reconnection—not just with old friends, but with forgotten parts of themselves and with new friends

-- A reminder that even as time moves on, some ties remain 

And ultimately, an alumni association offers something rare: a sense of belonging. These gatherings remind us that we still share a common denominator—a place where we are known, welcomed, and understood.

Practical Ideas for Future Gatherings

Here are a few low-cost, high-impact ways to cultivate that sense of presence and purpose:

1. Alumni Story Circle Project

Invite alumni to share stories—moments of transformation, unexpected turns, triumphs, or even humorous detours. Whether light-hearted or profound, stories humanize us. And in hearing others, we often hear echoes of ourselves.

Later, these stories can be collected and published—perhaps titled “Letters to My Younger Self”—offering wisdom, perspective, connection and legacy across generations.

2. Memory Table

Set up a table with old photos, handwritten memories, or a “what I wish I had known then” wall.

3. Friendly Games or Contests

Light-hearted activities lower the barrier to connection:

-- Guess Who? Baby photo challenge

-- Two Truths and a Lie icebreaker

-- BISU Trivia to stir collective memory and laughter

4. Mini Workshops, Panels, or Roundtable Talks

Offer something people can take home: insights on parenting, finance, midlife transition, brain health, or retirement. When content is relevant, gatherings become enriching—not just entertaining.

5. Purpose-Driven Focus

Anchor the gathering in a cause: fundraising for a classmate in need, building a mentorship network and volunteer services, or launching a legacy project. When there’s meaning behind the meeting, people come not just to attend—but to contribute.

6. Get More People Involved in Preparation

Even before the event begins, the process of preparing together builds bonds. Those involved are more likely to show up for the event. The more alumni who take part in planning and preparing—even in small ways—the stronger the sense of ownership, excitement, and turnout.

7. Learn from the Experiences of Successful Alumni Associations...

8. Set up Special Outreach Taskforce to Mobilize and Get More Involvement...

From Showing Up to Being Seen

Alumni events are about connections, continuity and legacy-building—the invisible thread that ties who we once were to who we are now. In choosing to show up, we affirm and value something larger than ourselves: the friendships that matter and the shared history that continues to give our stories meaning. In the end, the goal is belonging, connecting, giving meanings to our lives, past, present and future.

With imagination and heart, our next gathering can be a reunion with others and more importantly, with parts of lives that we didn’t know we’d missed. It's a chance to give a new meaning to our lives.

On June 16, I had the privilege of moderating the education roundtable at the first anniversary celebration of the North American Alumni Association of BISU. It was a day of learning for me, where experts in finance, education, and immigration shared insights shaped by both data and decades of experience. I walked away with two realizations: one about what’s changing in college admissions—and one about what stays constant in life.

The New Landscape of College Admissions

One theme emerged clearly from our roundtable: today’s college admissions process is more competitive and complex than ever. High school students are applying to more schools, many through early decision or early action. Colleges, meanwhile, face increasing financial pressures and are admitting more first-generation students—adding layers of unpredictability to the process.

Yet one thing hasn’t changed: what ultimately matters most—strong academics, meaningful extracurriculars, and clear character.

During the discussion, a particularly thought-provoking moment came when two education professionals described their approaches to working with new families. An American educator said, “We pre-screen students—because students are the key.” But another, whose students are mostly Asian, said, “We pre-screen parents—because parents are the key.”

This contrast reflects two distinct cultural frameworks. In one, the student is the primary agent of change, expected to take initiative and show independence. In the other, the parent plays a central role, shaping strategy and making major decisions.

Both perspectives hold truth. But the gap between them reveals a deeper question: how do we nurture self-motivated learners in cultures where parental control often overshadows personal agency?

I believe that in the long run, students must be in the driver’s seat, steering their own journey. That’s how genuine passion is cultivated—and that’s exactly what admissions officers (AOs) are looking for.

AOs don’t want résumés packed with disconnected accomplishments. They want to see authenticity, focus, and growth. As one speaker put it, “Show me your passion project. Show me how you learned to lead while completing it. Show me you're not afraid to step outside your comfort zone.”

Here are a few key takeaways:

• Declare a mission, not just a major. College is not the end goal—it’s part of the journey.

• Start a blog. Use it to document your evolving interests and personal growth.

• Choose your own summer. Don’t just take another online course. Do something real.

• Don’t force it. Let your path unfold naturally—水到渠成 (when water flows, a channel forms).

• Be self-motivated. AOs value students who take initiative, who learn on their own, who are genuinely curious.

As one speaker beautifully said, “Don’t just teach me—involve me.” Learning today is no longer passive. It’s collaborative, experiential, and driven by the student.

From College Dreams to Life’s Priorities

Later, while catching up with a college friend, he mentioned that his wife was planning to upgrade their already-spacious home to an even larger one. Inwardly I thought: Isn’t this the time in life when we should be doing the opposite?

As we reach a certain stage in life, instead of adding more—perhaps we should do more subtracting. Not accumulating more possessions, but let go what we no longer need. Not material quantity but life quality.

Subtraction means more clarity and freedom. It lightens our load, leaving us more space and time for new experiences, for people we care, for who we’re becoming and for the intangible legacy that we care to leave behind. After all, the most enduring things in life are not things at all.

In education, as in life, it's about building a life. And at some point, we build best by letting go and using least.

Monday, February 17, 2025

Last Tuesday, my Korean student shared an interesting experience with me. She had driven to a medical building in Manhattan, a place she wasn’t familiar with. After parking in a metered spot, she paid for two hours of parking. However, when she returned, she found a parking ticket on her car. Upon closer reading of the nearby sign, she realized that she had indeed violated a parking rule.  

Determined to appeal on the grounds of her ignorance, she wrote a detailed letter to the judge, with the help of ChatGPT to refine her argument. In the letter, she explained that she had been in the U.S. for three years, was generally law-abiding, and promised to be more careful in the future. To her surprise, the judge accepted her appeal and dismissed the $150 fine.  

She mentioned that in Korea, a fine is simply a fine—appeals rarely work. This experience was eye-opening, showing that appealing does work in America—sometimes. The key is, you have to make it happen.

On another note, I recently read about the latest development in China’s space program: the successful launch of the Long March 8A carrier rocket (长征八号甲运载火箭, Chángzhēng bā hào jiǎ yùnzài huǒjiàn), which deployed the second group of Guowang megaconstellation satellites into orbit.  

This launch marks another milestone in China’s space exploration efforts. The Long March 8A carrier satellites carrying for China’s satellite internet network, is another example of the country’s growing capabilities in satellite deployment, particularly in low-Earth orbit.

It also represents a significant step toward enhancing China’s satellite network infrastructure, playing a crucial role in supporting future space communications and global connectivity.

Broader Implication: The Long March 8A is part of China’s broader strategy to develop a more versatile and efficient space program, with rockets designed to accommodate various payloads and orbits. By offering different payload capacities—3 tons, 5 tons, and 7 tons for sun-synchronous orbits—this new variant complements other Long March 8 rockets and demonstrates China’s efforts to diversify its rocket technology to meet the evolving demands of future space missions.

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

We’re all familiar with MAGA—Make America Great Again. Now, there’s another version: MEGA—Make Europe Great Again. How? According to JD Vance at the Munich Security Conference last Friday, Europe should turn inward. He argued that "the true threat to Europe stems not from external actors such as Russia or China, but from Europe’s own internal retreat from its most fundamental values." CNN, however, accused Vance of "downplaying the threats from Russia and China."

It’s an age-old piece of wisdom: a castle is most vulnerable when it is broken from within. Yet, it’s so easy to focus on the faults of others. We see evidence of this everywhere, east or west. This, in turn, confirms the importance of what I’m doing now: 讲好中国故事 (jiǎng hǎo Zhōngguó gùshì), doing a good job of telling China’s story, sharing what’s truly happening in China with the world.

Here’s another piece of China’s story: "China’s EV Giants Are Betting Big on Humanoid Robots," from MIT Technology Review. To be honest, I’m a bit disappointed when I see MIT focusing so much on China as a tech competitor—like it can't break free from the current geopolitical tensions.

This article offers a look on the evolution of China’s electric-vehicle (EV) industry and its expansion into humanoid robotics. It begins by highlighting how two seemingly separate industries—electric vehicles and robotics—are beginning to overlap and complement each other.

With China emerging as a global leader in electric vehicles and humanoid robotics becoming an increasingly hot topic, this story is timely, shedding light on both innovation and real-world application.

The article provides concrete examples—Unitree, XPeng, and GAC—which add credibility and illustrate how technology is crossing over from the EV sector to robotics.

As the article explains, Chinese EV giants are turning to robotics because the domestic EV market in China is nearly saturated, leaving limited room for new players. As a result, companies are repurposing existing technologies for use in robotics. The shift is driven not only by financial necessity but also by the considerable advantage these companies have in tech expertise and established supply chains.

As China continues to innovate in both the electric vehicle and robotics sectors, it’s clear that these industries are not just evolving—they’re converging. The repurposing of technology, such as EV batteries and autonomous driving systems, shows how practical and strategic these shifts are. While the geopolitical narrative often frames China as a competitor, it’s important to also recognize the complexity of its technological landscape.

Finally, keep in mind that what’s happening in China today may set the stage for the future of both transportation and robotics worldwide. The question now isn’t whether China can innovate—it’s how these innovations will reshape global markets and industries for years to come.