A voyage to sustainability

The exchange experience has motivated Ryan to develop a deeper commitment to sustainability and social justice.

‘Transformative, riveting, empowering’—this is how Mr. Ryan Yip, a CUHK alumnus from the Class of 2022, summarised his exchange experience at the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst) in the US during 2019-20.

‘Immersing myself in a foreign academic and cultural environment broadened my perspective in ways I had never imagined. As an environmental science major, my coursework in arboriculture, biochemistry, and psychology challenged me to think critically and introduced me to dynamic conversations around sustainability, social justice, and policy that thrive within the UMass Amherst community.’ said Ryan.

Beyond academics, Ryan encountered a sense of diversity and openness that redefined his understanding of inclusion and its role in education and beyond. Interacting with peers from around the world, whom he now considers lifelong friends, taught him the importance of global collaboration, especially in addressing pressing environmental challenges that impact communities worldwide. This connection and potential for impact ignited his ambition to pursue further studies abroad.

Ryan (2nd left) makes lifelong friends from around the globe at UMass Amherst.

Now a graduate student at the University of Michigan’s School for Environment and Sustainability, Ryan reflects fondly on his time at UMass Amherst. ‘My exchange experience transformed my goals from local to global, inspiring me to delve deeper into sustainable development and environmental policy. It became crystal clear that studying in an international setting would provide the resources, networks, and experiences needed to make a difference both at home and globally,’ he shared.