A native of Chengdu, China, Yuhang Huang was a member of the first cohort of students who graduated from the UD-SWUFE Data Science Institute this June. Huang graduated from the program with a bachelor of science in finance.
Huang was nominated for this series by UD Lerner’s Jennifer Gregan, senior assistant dean for global programs and partnerships.
Lerner: How do you think you have changed from your first semester in the SWUFE-UD Joint Institute to now?
Huang: I feel that my perspective has broadened, especially coming from China’s exam-oriented education system, where our value judgment has always been rather singular. My four years at SWUFE-UD taught me to view things and people with a diverse set of evaluation standards. Additionally, I made great friends at SWUFE-UD who will be spread all over the world, and I feel that they have given me a strong inner strength.
Lerner: What have been some of the challenges you have faced during your college experience and how did you overcome them?
Huang: For example, presentations were initially difficult for me because we rarely practiced expressing our opinions in front of others; it was more “written.” This made me very nervous at first. However, after several courses at UD, I became quite proficient at delivering a short presentation and truly enjoyed the feeling of “sharing knowledge.”
Lerner: What was your favorite experience during your studies and why?
Huang: In fact, I wouldn’t consider myself an outstanding student, but I really enjoyed the learning environment at SWUFE-UD. Everyone openly shared their different opinions and perspectives, which greatly contributed to the refinement of team projects by integrating everyone’s excellent ideas.
Lerner: Did you have a UD Lerner professor or staff member that had a big impact on your experience?
Huang: I am very grateful to Professor Jennifer Gregan for the help she has provided over the years. I am probably one of the SWUFE-UD students who communicated with her the most. In the past, especially in Chinese universities, many processes were cumbersome and not very student-friendly. However, since I first discussed credit transfer issues with Professor Gregan, I found that she could always resolve my concerns accurately. So, I maintained the habit of communicating with her promptly. I would like to thank her again for the tremendous support she has given me over the years.
Lerner: What advice would you give to incoming freshmen to make the most out of their college experience?
Huang: For new students, especially at SWUFE-UD, I believe it’s important to stay in touch with upperclassmen and UD staff. Due to information gaps, directly communicating with UD is often more effective when handling various matters. Additionally, as a member of the first graduating class of SWUFE-UD, I think many of our experiences can be valuable references for others.
Lerner: What are your plans following graduation?
Huang: I will pursue a graduate degree in the BAIM program at UD, and I believe it will be an important part of my career path.