Columbia University School of Professional Studies Fellowship Award Scholar Alanna (Yuyang) Lu from China Shares Her Journey of Securing a Partially Funded Master's at the Columbia University in the City of New York, United States

My name is Alanna (Yuyang) Lu, and I am originally from China. I got my bachelor’s degree at the University of British Columbia, studying International Relations. After that, I went to Columbia University in the City of New York for my master’s degree in Nonprofit Management because I wanted to work in nonprofits, NGOs, and IOs. New York is one of the hubs for these organizations, and Columbia University was my dream school with a lot of passionate people who also want to make an impact in today’s complicated world.

Columbia University School of Professional Studies Fellowship Award Details

At UBC, I’m the recipient of the entrance scholarship “Outstanding International Student Scholarship” (10,000 CAD) and have received the “Arts International Student Scholarship” for two continuous years (12,000 CAD in total).

At Columbia University, I received the “Columbia University School of Professional Studies Fellowship Award” (7,500 USD) along with my admission offer.

Educational Background

I completed my high school degree in British Columbia as a Chinese international student, where I found my passion for intercultural communications.  While maintaining a high GPA, I had been leading and participating in many school activities and social work, including joining the Inter-cultural exchange program, organizing cultural events at school, volunteering at multiple food drives, and working for a nonprofit farm.

After entering UBC, I took the initiative and founded “Culture Multiplier,” driven by my passion for intercultural communication, aiming to break the stereotypes and foster cross-cultural communication. My GPA wasn’t at the top tier, but the selection of the Arts International Student Scholarship also looks into how students contribute to the community. I have joined and worked as the VP for several student clubs, and I feel the missions are meaningful.

How Did You Find Information About the Columbia University School of Professional Studies Fellowship Award and Columbia University?

The entry scholarships of both schools were disbursed automatically. The UBC Arts International Student Scholarship was promoted among students via email, and everyone who qualified was encouraged to apply.

Did You Take Any Standardized Tests? If So, How Did You Prepare for Them?

I took IELTS, and though most of the schools require 6.5, I tried two times to get a 7 to make myself more competitive among applicants.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Columbia University School of Professional Studies Fellowship Award?

Tried my best to maintain my GPA while getting engaged in my school community as much as I could.

How is Your Experience at Columbia University?

My experience at UBC was pretty good, and the most important thing is that I can feel the sense of belonging there compared to Columbia, maybe because I stayed at UBC long enough for me to adapt, engage, and contribute. There were so many opportunities, such as student clubs, research, and exchange programs for us to explore and realize our value. In terms of Columbia University, since my program was only one and a half years, while many of my classmates are professionals in the fields who are mostly older than me, it creates pros and cons. Pros are that they can bring hands-on professional insights to the classrooms. You can network with them and get a picture of what it looks like working in different nonprofit areas. Cons are that this is a relatively short program, we don’t have a very deep connection with each other and with the school. In addition, this is not a STEM program, which makes it very hard for international students to find a job despite the fact that New York is the center for nonprofits.

How Do You Rate Columbia University Academically?

After acquiring my master’s degree, I went back to China and started to find an internship at the United Nations New York Headquarters because working at the UN had always been my dream, and I wanted to stay in New York for a longer time. Luckily, I found an UN internship within two months and set off to the city again for this journey.

Would Potential Students Have Any Problems Not Knowing the Native Language?

I think it was my passion and my dedication to international affairs and intercultural communications. All my academic and extracurricular activities, including internships, research programs, and contests, are oriented around these two areas and intertwined with each other, which I think makes my path clear, and my application materials make sense to the admission office.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

I think I wouldn’t go for a master’s degree right away after graduating from UBC, but rather work for a bit first to get my hands dirty, so that I might be able to get a better sense of what I want to specialize in and professionalize. I might also choose a more practical master’s program because working in a nonprofit or NGO never requires a degree in Nonprofit Management, but just like working at other companies, they always require real skills and experience.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

First things first, pay attention to your email and be aware of the deadlines and qualifications for the application. For example, many scholarships require you to enroll at the school as a full-time student.

Second, some scholarship applications might not be promoted via email, so I think it is important to consult with an academic advisor/the international student office to keep yourself updated on some potential scholarship opportunities not only in your institution but also outside your institution.

GPAs are crucial, but what makes you yourself, your passion and value, I think, is more important in the North American context, so make sure you show them in the application.