In June, the Pao School campus has been warmed and enlivened by the return of some of its distinguished alumni. Over the past two weeks, several of the school's graduates have come back to their alma mater, where they have engaged in deep conversations with younger students through themed alumni homecoming events and college-admissions talks, demonstrating their gratitude and recalling their roots through their actions and supportive messages.
Alumni Homecoming Event
On June 12, Pao School's Songjiang campus hosted its annual alumni homecoming event. Despite the summer heat, and the fact many of the school's alumni are still living overseas, over a hundred returned for the event. The campus was filled with joyful reunions.
President Xu Yongchu opened her remarks with some personal recollections. She urged both alumni and Year 11 students to cherish the present. Alumni return to the school primarily to "convey their authenticity and heartfelt connection," she suggested. They enrich it with their diverse stories of personal growth. These visits remind students that life beyond the school's shelter is a "voyage without a compass." Hearing the accounts of their elders exposes them to the true tumult of society, helping them to clarify their own identities, to manage themselves, to make firmer choices, and to gain courage. She concluded by inviting the alumni to look ahead, believe in themselves, and to stay resolute in their paths, to retain a measure of "clumsiness" with confidence, to reject mere utilitarianism, and to be kind-hearted, principled members of the Pao School community.
High School Principal James Lyng warmly welcomed alumni who had traveled from afar to return to their alma mater and thanked them for bringing back the diverse experiences of society. He urged alumni to reflect on the “footprints” they leave on the school and to consider how to deepen and strengthen that influence—by revisiting dormitories, giving academic talks, taking part in career seminars, and other ways to help current students, give back to the school, and collectively expand the impact of the alumni network.
This year's alumni sessions continued the successful roundtable format from previous years. They attracted enthusiastic participation from graduates across cohorts, while providing a valuable forum for Year 11 students who are hard at work on their college applications.
Ms. Juliet Shu, Senior Director of Human Resources at Pao School, offered alumni practical HR insights on resume writing and interview preparation. She presented clear, actionable tips and key considerations—such as how to showcase personal strengths on a resume—which proved highly beneficial to those in attendance.
The forum involved the participation of three highly successful Pao School alumni who have made impressive marks in their respective fields: Wilson Wu (Cathay Pacific Airways); Leyang Li (Shanghai Warrior Shoes); and Ella Xue (Cool AI). Drawing on their experiences studying abroad and their current cross-industry careers in aviation, a traditional national brand, and cutting-edge artificial intelligence, they discussed topics such as adapting to life overseas, coping with cultural differences, and developing independence. They also shared practical tips on how to make the most of university resources.
A dialogue was staged in the afternoon themed "No Script, All Real." In this candid conversation with Year 11 students, the alumni discussed the challenges and opportunities for growth they have encountered since graduation. Their frank interactions offered students a deepened understanding of the road ahead, at university and later life. Many of the youngsters took great encouragement from the real-life stories that were being so generously shared.
During the subsequent social events, attendees chatted about the future and exchanged updates around a fragrant barbecue. A soccer match featuring staff, parents, and alumni completed the day's attractions.
Alumni Sharing Session
On June 4, UCO and the Alumni office jointly organised an Alumni Sharing Session for Y9 and Y10 students. Distinguished alumni from the University of Chicago (Catherine Zhou); UCL (Michelle Wang, Sophia Ip); and New York University (Anna Gao) led in-depth discussions on the topics of university academics and campus life. The session covered key aspects of US college applications and university selection, with a strong emphasis on the importance of personal development. It highlighted the ways students can build a distinctive profile through expression of clearly defined interests and sustained commitment. It also compared UK and US admissions systems, underscoring the critical role of course selection in shaping future academic pathways. The alumni were keen to emphasise that the cultivation of authentic interests was a process beginning in school. Students were keen to understand the differences between high school and university life, especially those arising from increased independence.
A Treasure Trove of Tips from Alumni
Some of the alumni advice offered at the event has been collected for wider sharing. These 'lessons from those who have already been there' might provide illumination to those who have not been there yet.
"Undergraduate life will bring challenges, but also great excitement. Cherish this opportunity and try not to worry too much about the future just yet. Enjoy your time at college, doing things you really like."
"Value your friends. Also, when concentrating on your college application, try to think too about what you really want to do in life after school, because once you get to college such plans will be very important."
"Be open and proactive. Sign up for anything that looks remotely interesting, try new things out, meet everyone possible, and don't be afraid to be a 'newbie' because that's the best mindset to have."
"Experiment with who you are, what you enjoy, and how you work."
