Study Abroad Experiences
Insights into Life in North America
Connecting with the RUC Alumni Community
Launching Your Career Journey
It’s that time of year again.
This fall, another group of RUCers will cross oceans and continents to begin a new chapter in North America—at new universities, in new cities, and in an entirely new environment.
To help incoming students adapt more quickly to academic, social, and professional life in North America, and to become part of the RUC alumni community, the RUC North America Alumni Association will host its 2026 North America-Wide Virtual Welcome via Zoom on September 4, 2026, and officially launch the third cycle of the “Mentorship & Friendship” Alumni Mentorship Program.
We warmly invite all RUC alumni who are about to arrive or have recently arrived in North America, as well as family members who care about and support them, to join us.
One Welcome, One Connected RUC Community Across North America
For those arriving in North America for the first time, everything from choosing courses and finding housing to getting around, securing internships, pursuing employment, and navigating immigration and career planning involves a period of learning and adjustment.
But generations of RUC alumni have walked this same path before you.
At this year’s welcome event, distinguished senior alumni and younger alumni from different fields will share their firsthand experiences and perspectives on studying, living, and building careers in North America. Their goal is simple: to help new students avoid some unnecessary detours and begin this new chapter with greater confidence.
Whether you are wondering:
How can I adapt to the academic system and campus life in North America?
How can I quickly build a social and support network?
How should I plan for internships, job searches, and long-term career development?
How can I make better use of the RUC alumni network?
How do I navigate the uncertainty and challenges that often come with starting life in a new country?
You will find experience, inspiration, and people who have walked this path before you.
Representatives from RUC alumni organizations across North America will also join us to introduce their local alumni communities, activities, and ways to stay connected. Our hope is that when you arrive in a new city, you will quickly find an RUC community nearby.
Participating Alumni Organizations
RUC North America Alumni Association
New York Chapter
Atlanta Chapter
Houston Chapter
Montreal Chapter
North Carolina Liaison Office
RUC Canada Alumni Association — Vancouver
Toronto Alumni Association
Boston Alumni Association
Washington, D.C. Alumni Association
Chicago Alumni Association
Michigan Alumni Association
San Francisco Bay Area Alumni Association
Southern California Alumni Association
Mentorship : Passing the Torch Forward
Guided by the principle of “Three people together, there is always a teacher among them; let the torch be passed from one generation to the next,” the RUC North America Alumni Association launched its Mentorship Program in 2024.
Over the past two years, alumni from finance, technology, consulting, healthcare, education, research, law, entrepreneurship, and other fields have joined the mentor community, building ongoing relationships with younger alumni.
They have exchanged ideas on career choices, industry knowledge, job searches, professional development, and even broader questions of life planning.
From a single online conversation to a résumé review;
from a question about an industry to a career decision;
from the uncertainty of arriving in North America to gradually finding one's own direction—
“Mentorship & Friendship” is designed to create more than a simple exchange of resources. It is an opportunity to build meaningful alumni connections grounded in warmth, trust, and mutual growth.
At the 2026 Welcome Event, the third cycle of the Mentorship Program will officially launch.
All RUC alumni and second-generation RUCers in North America are welcome to apply.
Program Format
Mentor-Mentee Matching: The program team will facilitate matching based on participants’ backgrounds, interests, and needs.
Communication: Communication may take place via email, video calls, or in-person meetings, with a general expectation of at least one interaction per month.
Program Duration: Six months, from October 2026 through April 2027.
Mentor Responsibilities
Share Professional Insights: Help mentees better understand industries, roles, and career paths.
Offer Experience-Based Guidance: Draw on personal experiences to help mentees understand the opportunities and trade-offs behind different choices.
Provide Ongoing Support: Offer encouragement and perspective during important stages of academic, professional, and personal development.
Pass on the RUC Spirit: Strengthen connections among alumni and help keep the tradition of passing the torch from one generation to the next.
Mentee Responsibilities
Take the Initiative: Communicate proactively and prepare questions and topics in advance.
Respect Your Mentor: Value your mentor’s time and experience, and approach the relationship with openness and sincerity.
Put Insights into Action: Turn lessons and ideas from conversations into concrete action.
Provide Feedback: Stay in communication with the program team and help improve the program together.
Highlights of the Welcome Event
Experience Sharing by Senior and Younger Alumni: Talk about studying abroad, life in North America, and career development—and the things you only truly understand after experiencing them yourself.
Alumni Organizations Across North America: Meet representatives from RUC alumni organizations in different cities and quickly connect with the local RUC community.
Insights from the Mentorship Program Team: Hear reflections and lessons from alumni who have participated in the program.
Third-Cycle Mentee Registration Opens: New students and alumni in the early stages of their careers are welcome to apply.
Year-Round Mentor Recruitment: More alumni are warmly invited to join us in passing the torch forward.
“Mentorship & Friendship” is more than a mentorship program. It is a tradition of connection, warmth, and support that transcends distance and generations.
Let’s welcome the new generation together and embark on the next journey together.
JOIN US
Date: Friday, September 4, 2026
8:30–10:00 PM EDT
5:30–7:00 PM PDT
Join Zoom Webinar
Webinar ID: 861 062 5100
Passcode: 100872
Or click “Read More” when the event begins to join.
You are also welcome to leave questions through the official RUC North America Alumni Association WeChat account. We will collect your questions and share them with our alumni speakers.