Dear NYU Shanghai, We have much to celebrate in NYU Shanghai's second year as a university. Not only are we commemorating the establishment of our very own campus here on Century Avenue, but between the members of the Class of 2018 and the incoming new faculty, we are also welcoming over 300 diverse, gifted, and inspiring individuals to the Shanghai family. In very little time, we have gathered a beautiful assortment of events, people, and sights to explore; in an amount of time that seems even shorter, we must do our best to experience as much as possible. It may seem melancholic to mention the end when we are only at the beginning, but the reality is that our time here will be more filling, more flavorful, and sweet if we acknowledge from the start that we have very little time to do a lot. And to make our time even more precious, we must realize that this period of time, when everything from our campus to our classmates is brilliantly new and unexplored, will never come again. We exist in a very special time of NYU Shanghai history because we are the history. Every step forward will be taken by us as a community, so it is vital that we use our time here dynamically and passionately to establish a legacy of excellence and ingenuity. Here on Century Avenue, our community will continue to grow through our ideas, innovation, and love for each other as we not only push through the hardships that come with being pioneers, but also celebrate the traditions we create for the future generations of NYU Shanghai. It is our privilege and our goal this year to be creating said NYU Shanghai traditions and the overarching culture for our university. Whereas in the past year the Class of 2017 encountered challenges establishing roots with no campus to call home, we are now in a position to see the development of our University differently, with our new home on Century Avenue. So, if you have an idea, be it one for an activity that will bring our community together, that will connect us with local universities, or that will reach across continents to build relationships with our sister campuses in New York andAbu Dhabi, please go for it. Put NYU Shanghai on the map. Make history. As we grow into Century Avenue we must also grow up and out in order for the world to know we are here. In this next year, we can also start to aspire for more majors for more people. With our doubled population we can begin to expand our academics into more fields that appeal to the student body, like politics and linguistics. However, bear in mind that creating more majors will by no means be an instantaneous or simple process: it will require immense patience, compromise, sacrifice, and persistence, and even then we may not be able to reap the rewards of our labor. But if we persevere, the classes of 2020 and 2021 will be grateful for our work, and the university will become a better place with more developed academics. Herein lies the beauty of and burden of the first NYU Shanghai classes – though there is a chance we ourselves may never enjoy some of the things we create, we have the honor and responsibility to care like older siblings for the future generations of NYU Shanghai, and for the future of our alma mater. It's the same with regard to the improvement of our current majors. As problems arise and solutions are created, we have no choice but to be mindful that changes take time. Although, this is the unfortunate reality of being in the first classes, we can also see it as a reminder to continue to think beyond just ourselves when it seems like we should just give up. Know that every improvement we make impacts the life of a future NYU Shanghai student, and always believe that creation and improvement are worth fighting for. In keeping with the theme of beginnings, this year we also begin to prepare for studying away during our third year. In preparing, we should connect with the NYU sites across the global network to gather as much information as possible about studying away, so there are resources available for the questions we all will have about class requirements, application processes, and visas. In preparing, we encourage and expect our classes of 2017 and 2018 to come together to ensure the continuation of all the activities that breathe life into NYU Shanghai. Sophomores must teach and mentor freshmen in club leadership in order to assure that there will be capable and knowledgeable leaders ready to assume executive-position responsibilities when the Class of 2017 is away. Freshmen must rise to the challenge of getting involved and preparing for leadership roles, knowing that the responsibility of helping our school flourish, in just one year, will rest on your shoulders. As a community, we can help each other prepare for the spring and the huge turnover of responsibility that will come with it. With the expected outpouring of help and concern regarding this turnover, we can be confident and assured that life will go on at NYU Shanghai no matter who is home. All of us hold one of the most precious experiences of our lives in our hands. NYU Shanghai is our community and our university to make, and it is with great respect and admiration that you and I are welcomed to our home on Century Avenue, to this unconventional, adventurous university called NYU Shanghai. Whether you are a sophomore or a freshman, we are all stepping into this new world together, and we all have each other to laugh through the good and hug through the bad. Know that when you are here your life is no longer about your Gaokao score, or your athletic trophies, or your high school transcript: your life is now about a unique community, of which you are a vital part. Your life is about creating, about understanding, and about thinking in new ways. You are here to push your limits and to be uncomfortable at times. You are here at the start of something new, wonderful, and once-in-a-lifetime. You are here to celebrate a life of learning and adventure, and we are all here to celebrate with you. Welcome to NYU Shanghai. Welcome home!

Sincerely, Roxanne Roman On behalf of NYU Shanghai Student Government

This article was written by Roxanne Roman. Send an email to [email protected] to get in touch. Photo Credit: Jenny Sun