Lunar new year update

February 2025

Dear Friends and Supporters,

On the occasion of the Lunar New Year, I have updates from our three 2024 Master’s Program Scholarship students, as they embark on the second semester of their international studies.

I am delighted to share news of considerable progress of not only in their academic pursuits but also of significant personal growth, over the past four months.  They are excelling academically, learning new cultures, broadening world views and thinking about the impact they would like to make as future leaders. I hope you too are inspired by their updates.

I will also take this opportunity to share the results of our first Circle of Giving Campaign:  a total of $14,500 was raised in December 2024. On behalf of all the young women we support in the Foundation, I extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation. I assure you that your donation is a worthy investment in our collective future.

Yaqi Sun
Tech University of Ontario, Canada, Master of Business Analysis and AI

“Since I started my Masters’ program in Canada last September, I have acquired new knowledge, skills and mindset. I have gradually adapted to an environment that encourages one to proactively seek help and provide help to others, foster independent and critical thinking skills, which is the core value of western education. I took this new learning journey seriously. As a result, I have achieved a 4.15/4.3 GPA.

The Ching Tien Foundation has deeply enhanced my sense of social responsibility, a quality that feels increasingly rare in today’s world. Ching personally organizes and leads our bi-weekly two-hour sessions, and through those sessions, I have gained the understanding of the world and the society I live in, and my sense of social responsibility has grown significantly. This further motivated me to embrace the values and strive to make contributions to society, especially to empower women.

I am deeply inspired by one of Ching’s quotes, “If you want to do something, you’ll find one hundred ways to succeed. If not, you’ll find one hundred excuses.” I want to live by this motto and apply to my leadership skills, and personal and professional developments.”

Learn more about Yaqi Sun here.

“In December 2024, I completed my first semester of study and achieved two A+ and one A grade in my three courses.

Studying in a foreign country is a new experience, and one big difference is the teaching style. Instead of cramming us with theoretical knowledge, professors here focus on instilling a critical thinking mindset. With a focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI), not only are we taught the mathematical fundamentals of machine learning, but we are also asked to think about the social issues that AI brings to society.

I have had two big firsts here – one is working as a teaching assistant, and the other is learning a new sport – ice skating!

Being a teaching assistant has greatly improved my communication skills. I am learning how to encourage students with words of affirmation and providing positive feedback instead of criticism.

Skating is a new sport for me. Even though I am only a beginner, I enjoy being on outdoor ice rinks in the winter.

The learning and influence from Ching and the Foundation has given me knowledge and tools to adjust to my new life here. More importantly, through the bi-weekly online learning sessions, I am gradually learning about a different culture, gaining a world prospective, and planning for volunteer works,  thinking about how I can contribute to society now and in the future.”

Learn more about Xiajun Deng here.

“In December 2024, I completed my first semester at the University College of Dublin in Ireland. It was challenging. In the beginning I was afraid to express my ideas and opinions in class and was anxious. But I was fortunate to gain support from the Ching Tien Foundation.  I have had the regular support from my academic tutor and a senior couch who were all introduced by the Foundation. I also value the support from the Foundation’s fellow scholars.

During our bi-weekly learning sessions, Ching assigned books and lectures for us to read and listen to. The important learning was from Canadian journalist Sally Armstrong’s 2019 Massey Lecture series Power Shift, and Yuval Harari’s 21 Lessons for the 21^st Century. Through studying these materials, I have gained knowledge and awareness on gender and women developments throughout our history, and the crucial issues we face in the 21^st century.

Through this period of getting to know Ching, the Foundation and other Foundation’s scholars, I am deeply touched and inspired by the organization, its mission and all the resilient and brave women. I know I want to become one of them. In fact, I am already one of them!

One day, if a rural girl like me is empowered to not only chase her own dream, but also to help others realize theirs, I will be content.

Often, change can take a long time; but sometimes, change can happen within a second, as the change is in our mind.

The world is a huge book, I am just opening it.”

Learn more about Sijia Li here.

If you are inspired by the progress of our scholars, please consider making a donation to support the Ching Tien Foundation for Women.