Undergraduate Leadership Program Scholarship Recipients
Ching Tien Foundation’s Undergraduate Leadership Program is a one-year program offered in collaboration with Royal Roads University (RRU), an independent university located on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada.
After three months of online leadership training conducted by the Ching Tien Foundation that scholars undertake in their home country, the program highlight is a four-week language and leadership program at RRU in Canada. During their time in Canada, scholars have the opportunity to engage directly with the Ching Tien Foundation for Women, and attend the Foundation’s annual leadership forum.
Following their study abroad experience, undergraduate scholars each launch their own Giving Back project with the guidance and mentorship of the Ching Tien Foundation.
From 2023 to 2024, a total of 7 students participated in this program.
Jiazhi Wu
2024 Undergraduate Leadership Program Scholar
Master’s student at Hainan University, China
Major in Agriculture
Giving Back Project: Create A More Sustainable World
Project Length: 6-10 months
Estimated Impact: 500
Volunteers Recruitment: 3
Among the 17 UN sustainability development goals, we believe environment protection stands out for its importance. The rational use and reuse of resources is particularly important for environmental protection and human survival. My project will be using social media and organize in person events to raise environmental protection awareness, share knowledge and statistics. I am targeting young people aged 16 to 30.
“On this trip to Canada I experienced many “firsts”. It was my first plane ride, first time to meet Ching Tien in person, first time exposed to a different culture by staying with a Canadian family, first time I challenged myself by taking risk at outdoor activities, and first time experienced the Canadian way of learning…. Most importantly I was encouraged to provide my thoughts and opinions in classroom. It was FUN! I found myself being more outgoing, expressive, and overall more confident. It was an experience I will never forget.”
Jie Ma
2024 Undergraduate Leadership Program Scholar
Graduated Sias University, 2024
Currently working as Assistant Producer at Vivid Media in Shanghai, China
Giving Back Project: Peer Counselling
Project Length: 6 months
Estimated Impact: 24
My giving back project is to provide services based on my past experience to undergrads who need assistance to prepare CV and job interviews. Given the current economic situation in China, the majority of undergrads don’t have direction and confidence to take their next steps after graduation. My project is to provide online one-on-one services. Each of the participants will receive three free counselling sessions.
“The learning at the Ching Tien Foundation and the four-week course at RRU were about “leadership”. I gained a deeper understanding about leadership and was more inspired by learning about self-leadership. Self-leadership is about exploring and gaining a deeper understanding of yourself – your own character, strengths, values and goals. This is what the teacher called “core skill” and is the first step to take to become a leader. I am impressed with the Canadian values of diversity and inclusivity. Through my giving back project, I am going to further explore my own values. Also, I am motived to visit other parts of the world in the future.”
Xinyu Zhang
2024 Undergraduate Leadership Program Scholar
Luoyang Normal University, Henan, China
Major in Chemistry
Giving Back Project: Gratitude Journaling
Project Length: 6 months
Estimated Impact: 30
Volunteer Recruitment: 2
The world will become a better place if everyone adopts an attitude of gratitude. The goal of this project is to help our fellow university students gradually build a habit of journal writing to express gratitude.
“A month in Canada was a life changing experience. This experience made me to realize that – life is not a railway track, which one can only follow in a fixed direction, life has unlimited possibilities. I met many new friends there. I became more expressive, and I am no longer afraid of being judged and criticized. Now I am determined to follow my heart and create my future. I can’t express enough of my gratitude to the Ching Tien Foundation to provide this precious opportunity.”
Xue Peng
2024 Undergraduate Leadership Program Scholar
Zhejiang University of Finance & Economics, Zhejiang, China
Project: Big Sister Project
Length: 10 months
Estimated Impact: 1+
I experienced many hardships and discrimination while growing up. My parents divorced when I was very young. Besides losing my father, I did not receive love and care from my mother either. My mother worked most of the time to earn money, and she favored my younger brother. I was angry and rebellious through my childhood. When I was planning my giving back project, I met a 12-year-old girl on my last trip back to Gansu. She reminded me of my childhood. She attends the same elementary school as me and does not communicate with her mother and her teacher. I could see my younger self through this girl. I decided to take her on as my giving back project.
“My biggest gain from the Ching Tien Foundation’s program is a deeper understanding and acceptance of myself. Over the past decade I often felt worthless and unloved, which led me to constantly doubt myself. However, this learning experience helped me discover different values and possibilities. I could relax – I never experienced that before! - and enjoy the beach and lake on weekdays without feeling guilty. In Canada, my homestay family David and Leah encouraged me and made me feel valued. Teacher Wendy and my classmates always noticed me and praised me. The genuine love, care and positive feedback made me feel worthy. Of course, the time spent with Auntie Tien was heartwarming. In the future, I want to do more for others just like Ching Tien.”
Haixia Wang
2024 Undergraduate Leadership Program Scholar
Xi’an University of International Studies, Xi’an, China
“I imagine many years later I will look back on this morning, when Auntie Tien, just like a mother, brought her children to the beach for a picnic. We sat around a table comfortably and took turns sharing our stories. Auntie Tien was always touched by our stories. That morning, we were surrounded by love, tears and laughter. Since I connected with EGRC and the Ching Tien Foundation, I am slowly finding my own direction. I know one day; I can proudly say that this once little sapling will have grown up and also be able to provide shelter for others.”
Wenjing Ma
2024 Undergraduate Leadership Program Scholar
Graduated Anqing Normal University, Anhui, China 2024
Currently working as a high school teacher in Xi’an, China
Giving Back Project: Empower Teens
Project Length: 6 months
Estimated Impact: 5
From my own experience growing up, and in my professional experience as a teacher managing troubled students, I know that a good teacher can create a profound difference in youth’s lives. In addition to my daily teaching, I decided to take on five troubled teens, spend one-on-one time with them weekly to improve their current situation as my “giving back” project.
“I felt I was surrounded by love! The love from Ching, RRU teachers and fellow students, my homestay family, and even taking the bus every day was a friendly experience. The bus drivers always smiled and said hello. My homestay family took me as one of their family members. I was invited not only to join their family gathering, but they also introduced me to their neighbors and friends. I first met Ching when I was an EGRC-sponsored high school student. Seven years later I was so excited to see Ching again in Vancouver.”