Final Impression of Yale

Time flew like wild birds. They came suddenly and disappeared suddenly. It’s the last day. When I stepped out of the Berkeley dining hall, I realized the last moment was approaching. Now I am sitting in front of my desk for the last time to describe the past six weeks experience and it just feels like a dream and I don’t want to wake up.

I still remember the shock of the beauty of Yale, the moving moments for compliments from teachers, the fierce debates we had, the exciting and hot school bus we took every weekend. Recalling the memories I have had here, it is hard to find any sad event except now – the leaving end.

Yes we all have to say goodbye. Even the memory can be everlasting, time, the lord, is never willing to let us make the best use of our life. Many of us came here to find a new lifestyle, but we all know the newer start begins from now.

When Carrie asked us the three things we valued most in these six weeks, I thought for a long time to pick only three most precious ones. Finally, I decided: friends and teachers, the NYC trip and the library.

Thank you, all my teachers and friends here. When I saw the slogan “Somebody at Yale loves me”, you were the first group who came into my mind. Thanks for all the kind smiles and generous help you offered me in these 42 days. I cherish all the seconds with you guys and just feel the sadness of leaving from each other. Thanks for the great lectures and lessons my dear teachers gave us. Without your efforts, I couldn’t find the way to express my feelings and thoughts in English smoothly. It is very lucky to have you be my teachers.

Thank you, NYC trip. I experienced the prosperous modern life in America and realized the real dream place I want is the peaceful small town. I remember the splendid sunset between skyscrapers and missed the vast sky that moved me in New Haven. If I have a chance to choose where to live for the rest of my life, the quiet and slow living pace is what I am longing for.

Thank you, the library in Yale. I found the joy of reading in this marvelous library and was shocked by the numerous books here. I found the truth of learning and the peace in reading. I will bring this spirit into my normal life and remember the energy I drew from those quiet reading afternoons.

Thank you, Yale. Maybe there is limited chance for me to come back here, but I will always remember you in my life like other summer session students do. Appreciation is endless and you just become the motivation for the next goal in my academic path.

We all know the dedicated people will achieve their dreams, and I hope I am one of them.

See you Yale. Thank you for creating the best summer for me in 2016.

personal statement2

Essay 1: Describe an event or episode that either gave you a chance to use a personal strength, or revealed a personal weakness. Then explain specifically how the MPP (or overall curriculum for Non-Degree applicants) at HKS would leverage your distinctive abilities and/or fill gaps in your skill set as you equip yourself for your career goals. (600 word limit)

Last year, I attended a national conference for college students. Its topic was to inspire youth talent and make use of it in public welfare field. During the three days, we attended powerful speeches, listened to brilliant ideas of non-profit organizers, and exchanged our own thoughts toward innovation in social welfare projects.

One of the tasks in this conference was to design a project that fits the reality of your own community within 45 minutes. The winning project would be funded by several foundations and CSR(company social responsibility department) in enterprises. The projects had to align with 17 Sustainable Development Goals that the UN put forward in 2015.

At that time, I was running a college public-welfare organization and I had four projects in design stage. The issues included quality education, gender equality, organic agriculture, and the care of autistic children. In order to win the prize, I evaluated these four  topics and realized that the project focused on gender equality would have the biggest chance to win, given that half of the jury was involved in the women’s empowerment program.

After deciding to focus on this topic, our group listed all the elements included in the project design: name, theme, form, target group, timeline, budget, related events and potential sponsors. We discussed these 8 parts in proper order. We decided upon “Sexual assault” as our main theme and primary school students as the target group according to gender education reports by UN. Then we searched on the internet to find successful examples used to teach primary school students. After 45-minutes of  preparation, I presented our project in front of the jury and was excited to hear our group’s name announced for the first prize.

And although, we won the prize, when we put the project into operation it became hard to control. I had to admit something we hadn’t thought about when we designed it, (like the sponsor resources, the society recognition, the less school cooperation and the less professional volunteers…. Though the project was completed,  I did not think it was finished perfectly and I had much to learn.

That’s why I want to join your program. I believe HKS can provide me with the long-term thinking element and all the experience I would need in my future career path in the NGO field. The theory and opportunities to practice should help students like me to think more profoundly and practically. For my strengths, I think HKS values students have systematic thinking also the break-the-usual bravery.  I believe sincerely that I can benefit from the HKS program and hope I am afforded the chance to be admitted in the degree program in the area of public policy (MPP) offered by your school for the Academic Year 2018-2020.

Silent Beauty

Nature doesn’t speak up. It just displays its beauty wordlessly. The universe outside our atmosphere, the other mysterious world, has so much attraction to both a little 5-year-old girl and a 20-year-old adult. Despite the fact that it was two weeks ago, I still remember my shock at seeing this splendid nature and the beauty of the night’s sky full of stars..

Chatting with my friend who came to Yale last summer, I learned of  a secret spot where once I heard about it I screamed - Leitner Family Observatory and Planetarium. The shining stars, the romantic stories behind the dark sky, the sparkling planets… All of them were twinkling their eyes and saying to me: “We shall see  you on Tuesday.”

Before we left that Tuesday night  I was waiting restlessly for the tweet to announce whether it was a pleasant day to observe or not. At approximately 3pm, a new tweet arrived:” 7/5: Partly clear skies tonight; we'll have telescopes set up around 9pm for viewing of Jupiter, Mars, and Saturn. ” I was too excited to hold my phone. At dusk, after we finished the last class of the day, Ingrid and I couldn’t wait for our  adventure to start in search of the the planetarium.

It is a long walk to the planetarium so we walked fast with only about 20 minutes before the show. Finally, after this sweaty walking, we found a green area with a tiny but elegant building and some kids’ playing. It was a quiet but vivid place ringing with kids’ laughter and I just couldn’t believe I was finally  at the planetarium I had heard about so many months before.

We pulled the door cautiously and found all the astronomy equipment inside. In a few steps we found the entrance of the observatory. Two huge telescopes were standing on the corners of the observatory stage and three smaller ones were between them. The sky was dark with a few stars in the beginning. However, as time passed, brighter stars showed their faces and smiled to me.

The staff of the planetarium was kind and gentle. They explained every question from tourists and comforted naughty kids with stories of stars. The story one professor told us really touched my heart:” Since I got my first little telescope at the age of five, I haven’t left this beautiful sky ever.”

On the way we back, the marvelous stats and the touching spirits continued to impress me. (Someone I did remember said?):” Two things fill my mind with ever-increasing wonder and awe, the more often and the more intensely the reflection dwells on them: the starry heavens above me and the moral law within me.”

After seeing this natural beauty with by own eyes, I realized a  secret of nature: it willingly shows its beauty, but it doesn’t show off.

Personal Statement

It is passion that is the most important characteristic for a person to achieve success in public administration. Only this quality can overcome the many challenges and obstacles. As a student majoring in Public Administration who has devoted much time to volunteer projects, I experienced the challenging conditions of  NGO growth. Never did I want  to give up hope in lightning the way to  non-profit programs with like-minded companions. With dreams to fulfill, I am writing to apply for the degree program in the area of public policy (MPP) offered by your school for the Academic Year 2018-2020.

Though I am not a religious person “let there be light” is a sentence that  is carved into my philosophy from the journey into the  public welfare system, both academic and practical.

This journey started with a voluntary teaching job in a poor primary school in Beijing. I always receive inspiration from the voluntary spirits in non-profit projects. As soon as I had chances to be a volunteer in my college, I did not hesitate to sign up for this opportunity. Though other volunteers quit halfway, I remained committed to finishing my work in the primary school for children of migrant workers. I taught English and painting lessons every Wednesday and Saturday. The desire for knowledge and caring in these kids’ inner heart moved me. I always remember one little boy who hugged me after I finished my last lesson in his class. I felt inner peace for I knew I had lit up a part of his world.

After the first year of basic required courses, I started my professional academic education. The main courses included: Micro and Macro Economy, Political Science, Sociology, Public Policy, Constitution, Administrative Law, Human Resources Management, SPSS, Social Research Methods. Every lecture encouraged me to reflect on my previous thinking of public welfare. With the curiosity and pursuit of knowledge, I worked dedicatedly and remained in the top 1% of the class in those specialized courses.

Du Fu, a brilliant Chinese ancient poet, wrote ,“What's learned from books is superficial after all. It's crucial to have it personally tested somehow.” With elementary frameworks of public administration knowledge and volunteer experience, I started my own students’ volunteer organization with friends who were equally dedicated. One goal for those projects was to address the real social issues and satisfy the true demands of recipients. Therefore, instead of beginning our projects immediately, my friends and I completed the marketing research first. We interviewed the students we taught, teachers, parents, volunteers, leaders of NGOs, professors, CSRs and other stakeholders. Focusing on four areas (education, environment, autism, gender equality), we designed five different projects to meet multiple social needs. 

We acknowledged it was confidence that students we taught most urgently needed. Most of the children were not willing to express their ideas (in front) of public. A girl in Grade 4 told me she was terrified to stand on the stage. To suit this need, we designed courses aimed at improving those students’ confidence using speech lessons, simple presentation, and performing arts opportunities among others. Always aware of the limitation of our courses content, we built the feedback and reflection system for all stakeholders and adjusted to their advice with caution. After running our organization for a half year, we saw a gradual improvement in those children and I then became determined to follow this path for my life.

Education is (also) life-long. I attended a competition for analyzing public welfare cases in the Guanghua School of Management in Peking University. We picked “Roots & Shoots” as the analyzing case in terms of organization vision, project operation, human resources, financial sustainability and customer relationship management. This competition awoke my ability of evaluation and investigation and made me aware of the drawbacks I still need to overcome. I emerged with the idea to master this field and since then The Goldman School of Public Policy has become my academic paradise.

With my own experience of operating a public-welfare organization and the many interviews with leaders of NGOs in China, I recognize the challenging atmosphere and imperfect public policy for NGO’s  sustainable development. Standardize NGO regulations; mature Public-Private Partnership (PPP) system and mindset of the substantial impact of society management are all part of social welfare elements. Professor Jane Mauldon impresses me with her abundant experience in the social welfare field, serving as the chair of UC Berkeley’s Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects. I have enough confidence to pursue my academic achievements under her guidance and turn the theory I know into practical actions.

Jerry & Jeanette: how upbringing affects a kid's personality

“All happy families are alike, but each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way”, wrote Leo Tolstoy in Anna Karenina. On the contrary, unhappy families also have something in common and it’s the family that leaves an unchangeable impact on the children’s personality development .The main characters in the Glass Castle and A Mother in Mannville, Jeanette and Jerry, are kids who are raised in the similar kind of confusing growing environment. That similar background contributes to their like characters. In the following paper, I will compare these two children and see how their upbringing shapes their identity.

First, both of the children lived in poor conditions in a low social class. For Jeanette, she lived in a car with her parents and two siblings. They had to change the parking places over times. They couldn’t afford a house, even a pillow. Her father explained that no pillow was his plan and Indians did not sleep with pillows and stood straight. Jeanette’s poverty is also clear when she enjoyed the atmosphere in the hospital which is generally an uncomfortable experience for average people. The living conditions show the horrible economic status her family had. In Jerry’s perspective, he was an orphan and lived in an orphanage. The description of his clothes is the clear proof: “He wore overalls and a torn shirt, and was barefooted.” He liked the writer’s gloves and wanted to buy one pair for his “mother” with the money he earned through hard work. Apart from that, he made a living on chopping woods and the money was used not only just for him but the whole orphanage.

Secondly, the differing parental styles were resulted in this upbringing condition. Jeanette’s parents showed less caring and help in her growth. She learned how to cook hotdogs when she was only four while her mother was immersed in her painting and ignored the housework. When they visited her in hospital, her brother had fallen off and cracked his head but they decided not to take him to hospital. For Jerry, he was an orphan and sent to the orphanage when he was four years old. He grew little but had to take care of others. He chopped woods for years in the orphanage for the other kids’ living as well. Nobody would care about his inner feeling but he had to take care of others. The writher was the first one to appreciate his help and excellent work and he was shocked for he could not say a word like “My pleasure” to express his feeling to the writer.

Last but not least, the personalities of these two characters are similar due to the similar family background and parental style. Both of them were independent and brave. Jeanette could cook at three and Jerry could chop wood and did better than those big boys. What’s more, they both longed for care and love. Jeanette was moved by the doctors and nurses’ caring, thinking she could live in hospital forever. Jerry opened his mind to the writer and cared about her in details after she showed the appreciation toward his “splendid work”. After knowing the writher was about to leave, he behaved abnormally and “was not Jerry anymore”. Finally he found someone cared about him and could offer the love he needed but suddenly it disappeared. It is totally acceptable for his inappropriate behavior.

In conclusion, how the family can affect a child’s character development is obvious. The brave, optimistic and independent personalities of these children were born of the poor economic condition and their desire for love resulted from the careless and cold parental raising style. The family education is important to the mental and physical growth of children. It can build the foundation of a mature human; and it can also affect a child from within.

Remember, “Merry Christmas”

Artist: Florine Stettheimer, American, 1871–1944

Christmas

1.The groom

“It’s here.”

A fabulous Christmas tree is standing at the center of this square, with shiny lights and various decorations. But I only feel the loneliness spreading in the air, invading my cold skins and bones. With quiet street and closed shops, the glorious Christmas tree reminds me of a dressed-up kid who is waiting for his parents to pick him up but it seems they have forgotten him.

Yes, today is Christmas. But don’t say it out loud.

I helped these two young ladies off the horse and watched them walk towards the Christmas tree, one was joyful but the other was in sorrow, and stood there with my dear horse John, keeping patient and waiting.

Though I like the smell of money, I have to admit it’s weird. People in this town do not celebrate Christmas anymore since they think Christmas is a silly and boring man-made holiday. In fact, they do not celebrate any holiday. The money, the beautiful jewelry, the spacious estates… Achievements, in this realistic and business world, like these are more worthy to hold a carnival and enjoy a feast.

I expected to have a rest for me and John and had no idea someone would order my service tonight. I would never choose to go outside and work in this frozen dawn, but, well, I am just a mere groom. I also want to be rich and need to work.

My customers are pretty, quiet and kind. But they give me a destination which is hard to find

“A Christmas tree? Really? ”

They did not respond but threw me a bunch of green cash.

What can I say? I bent my knees, jumped on the horse and started our adventure, which seems ridiculous, to find a Christmas tree.

2. Maria

Do you know what Christmas is?

It’s the snow, a white and pure spirit, consisting of coldest heart.

It’s the light, delightful and mild, guiding for the dream paradise.

It’s the laughter around families, the eye contact between lovers, the father and child holding hands…

I can tell you every detail of what Christmas is supposed to be, but there is no such thing as Christmas in my real life.

But I know once upon a time, people in this town did celebrate Christmas. I remember that was a freezing and sparkly night, when everyone joined in the festivities, kissed each other’s cheeks and said: “Merry Christmas”.

Mom was sitting in the armchair and read Santa Claus’s story to me and my dear sister, and the pink and light yellow flames in the fireplace. Dad was reading poetry, giggling about how childish we were.

“Maria, you know there are no elves in real world right?”

“Don’t listen to your father.” Mom interrupted, “Of course there are.”

Dad smiled and kissed mom’s forehead.

“Yes, your mom is always right.”

That night was peaceful and quiet. The remaining memory was mom’s last bed story and father’s warm hands touching my face. At that time I did not realize the world would be totally changed after tomorrow’s sunrise.

My sister has not been willing to tell me what happened on that morning until now. When I woke up, only she was sitting on my bed and sobbing. I asked why she was crying and where were mom and dad. She quickly wiped away her tears and touched my face, like father always did.

“Get up. I made you breakfast.”

Since then, I have never seen Christmas in my home.

3.Sister

When Maria asked me whether she could see a Christmas tree this year, I thought she was kidding. Even though I disapproved, she still kept trying to convince me. I told her I couldn’t find one for nobody celebrated Christmas anymore, but she said:

“You are the richest and most beautiful lady in this town. No, in the world!” she smiled with innocence, “Most importantly, you are my beloved sister. You will do anything for me.”

She hugged my neck, kissed my cheek and refused to stop.

I finally agreed.

I remember father told me that there was a groom whose horse named John knew many secret places in this town. On the day of snowy Christmas, I sent my assistant to search for him and he/she found him in his modest apartment He was surprised that we wanted to find a Christmas tree but agreed to help us after I showed him the amount of payment.

Money heals everything.

We got on his carriage and felt the frozen ice crystals on our faces, hands and eyes. Suddenly, I felt tired of supporting this family alone. I missed my childhood with my whole family. The message father left for me that long-ago night still hurt my heart. It said:

“Take care of your sister and yourself. We have to leave. Sorry.”

After years I learned that they had suffered in the great depression, and people found their bodies on a mountain. They lost all their money and chose to avoid the following horrible consequences by taking their own lives.

Tears filled my eyes but I kept smiling for my little girl. I hid my sorrows and laughed with her. Then I felt a shot of mild light kissing my icy eyes. I looked toward the light. A marvelous sunset was illuminating a huge Christmas tree, with pink clouds and an unimaginably pink sky, like a heaven or a paradise.

I got off the carriage and was shocked by what I saw. I walked step by step and felt my parents were with me. Mom sat on the bench and dad smiled at her, like they never left me.

Then I heard mom say: 

“Remember to say Merry Christmas, my little girl.”

Love Is Not A Spark

The ticking of the clock mirrored my heartbeats, counting every remaining second I could squeeze. My fingers were flying over the keyboard, my eyes were flashing over the complex material, but my brain was on strike. The deadline was coming closer and closer, and I was left with only a few poor words and my messy thoughts. 

It was 9:20 p.m. - only 2 hours left to submit my final essay for this semester. The fear of a delayed submission controlled every cell of my body but there was nothing to do. Nobody wanted to be the person who tortured themselves on New Year's Eve, a harmonious and peaceful night when all the family members and relatives gather together to celebrate the start of a new year. Unfortunately, I had to be.

I heard the washing machine running and mom was busy mopping the floor, but I didn’t have a second to care about that. All my attention was on my unfinished paper, until I heard mom’s order to help her do the laundry.

"Could you please wait for a second? I am busy now."

I managed to ignore my mother’s voice for two minutes but then it rang in my ears again:

"Stop working and come here NOW!"

I looked at my computer screen, thoroughly uninterested in explaining my current horrible situation to her. At that moment I did not recognize that my silence would turn into an emotional disaster two hours later

I didn’t respond to her and she finally came to my desk and asked what I was doing.

"My homework." I answered with no eye contact.

She wanted me to explain more but I ignored her words and still stared at the computer screen.

"What do you mean by that?"

I stopped my work suddenly and raised my head to meet her face. All right, now I could hear and feel the tension between us.

"Why are you still wasting time on it? You have had no progress the whole day. "

I suddenly lost my ability to have a conversation with my dear mom. The words were flowing in my mind but I just couldn’t let them out of my month. I wanted to tell her this class’s professor was so hard to cope with, I had read the tons of paper for this essay, and that I had limited time to submit my final work. But I couldn’t manage to find the words under her untrusting and interrogative eyes.

“I have had enough of your silence.”

She left and shut the door with no more words to say .

Tears flowed from  my eyes quietly. I could hear the sound as they hit the desk. I also heard the sound of sobbing from another bedroom – my mother’s bedroom - my persistent, tough, and gentle mom.

I walked out of my room, stepped quietly across the hall , pushed the bedroom door open and whispered: “I am ready to talk.”

That night we did not watch the Spring Festival Gala. Instead, the laundry water, the washing machine, the tears, the laughter, mom’s caring words and my pressure was released with the scene of fireworks. All the unpleasant memories and my unwillingness to communicate were left behind in the old year. The long, deep and moving conversation as I helped my mom finish the laundry was a key to opening the heavy door of my heart.

The firework sparks were sometimes just like our emotions – appearing for just a moment but hurting for a long time. But as mom told me that night, the people who love you will always be there, never disappearing.