Universe Memoir
"Gap Year Carnival" Series Seminar I
Highlights of the first seminar of the series with replay link: We pause, reflect, and resolutely move forward.
The first session of our Seminar Series wrapped up on May 21, 2023, at 10:00 PM Beijing time. Five guests shared their amazing gap year stories from alternate realities.
Speech highlights by the organizing committe representatives
Guest speeches highlights
Qiu Wei
After graduating from high school in the United States, Qiu Wei chose to take a gap year back in China. During this time, he became a visiting scholar at Southern University of Science and Technology, a visiting student at UCSB, and founded the Mingde Venture Club, which helps startups publish their projects for free, connecting them with early users and investors. After establishing his startup, he received nearly one million in startup funding. Qiu Wei is currently studying at a university in the United States and is exploring entrepreneurial opportunities in the North American smart home market.
"At this seminar series, I shared my journey of starting my own business after taking a gap year. I detailed my thought process, the inspiration behind my startup, my management approach, and the lessons I’ve learned along the way. Through discussions with fellow participants, I connected with many peers my age and learned about their own gap year experiences, which was incredibly enlightening. From my gap year, I’ve gained numerous insights that I’d like to share with everyone. It’s crucial to have clarity about what you’re doing. Many students drift through their four years of college and then proceed to pursue graduate studies without much thought. However, when it comes to life choices like taking a gap year, it’s especially important to think about what kind of person you want to become. You don’t necessarily need a detailed plan, but you should at least have a general direction and some expectations for what you want to gain from the experience."
Ma Xining
Ma Xining completed her undergraduate studies at the School of Law, Wuhan University, and is about to pursue further studies at New York University. She has extensive internship experience in courts, law firms, and NGOs. Her future goal is to become a scholar in the field of international human rights law. During her gap year, she spent a year teaching and traveling in Morocco.
“At this seminar series, I shared my journey of breaking free from the pressures of competition, which led me to start my gap year. I talked about my experiences during the gap year, including my work related to law and public welfare. I also provided some strategies and advice for coping with competitive environments.
I was truly impressed by how mature my peers are in their understanding of society, business, and personal growth. It was inspiring to see how confidently they are moving forward on their paths. I'm grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a meaningful seminar series and hope that more gappers will get involved in similar events!”
Yifan
Before graduating from her undergraduate studies, she discovered a social innovation project in Boulder, Colorado, through a chance encounter. The project's creativity and human-centered approach deeply inspired her. Over the next two years, she successfully launched her social impact project. After completing her master's degree at the University of Melbourne, she worked hard to secure a place in the Watson Fall Accelerator Program, where she was awarded a full scholarship. This marked the beginning of her gap year.
“As technology advances and the information gap narrows, it's important to actively seek out and explore projects or fields you're interested in. The cost of making mistakes is lower when you're young, so take the opportunity to experiment. Finding your passion and purpose is a lifelong journey. When you discover the intersection of what you're good at, what you love, what can be monetized, and what society needs, you might just find the meaning of your life. Don’t expect that a gap year will provide all the answers. It’s a tool, not a goal. Use this time to understand what you want, and then set off again with renewed clarity. I wish everyone success in achieving their dreams and living a fulfilling life!
Having participated as a guest in the first seminar series, I noticed that each guest had a unique perspective, shaped by their diverse experiences. Each story was inspiring and offered valuable insights. It’s heartening to see how motivated and proactive the younger generation is, taking control of their futures. I believe more young people will be inspired by our stories, embarking on their gap year adventures and sharing their unique experiences.
A big thank you to the organizers, GCY and UM, for creating such an excellent platform. From promotion and rehearsals to the final wrap-up, their professionalism and dedication were evident, making the seminar series a great success. Thank you to everyone involved for your hard work!”
Yang Xiaoliang
Xiaoliang is currently working in smart manufacturing at China National Automation Group. His gap year experience was incredibly hands-on: he balanced working and traveling, moving from place to place, doing volunteer work, and organizing events. During his gap year, he traveled across Southeast Asia, and the Malay Peninsula, and even worked as a volunteer at a barbecue restaurant and helped plan wedding setups.
“I’m a young person from a rural area in Western China. Growing up in a poor family, I’ve always been curious about the world and eager to explore broader fields and opportunities.
After completing factory production practice and working on service industry projects during my gap year, I gained many practical skills and knowledge. The main takeaway for me was not just the experience and skills I acquired but also the chance to meet different people and realize that there are many more who need my help. This has become a driving force for my future pursuits in research and business success.
I am grateful to the organizers of World Citizens Year for their hard work and efforts, which showed me that individuals can also embark on careers in the globalized world. During this insightful sharing, I and other guests from diverse backgrounds reviewed the specific actions taken during our gap years to address global challenges and opportunities. Our common goal is to promote sustainable globalization and mutual development.
In sharing my journey of personal awakening during my gap year, I hope to assist more friends in their search for self-discovery and spiritual growth. Additionally, the inclusive values of World Citizens Year have touched me, and I look forward to building new collaborative relationships to create and achieve a better world together. Thank you once again to the organizers for their full preparation.”
Darren
Darren is from Qingdao, Shandong, and is currently taking a break from his studies to focus on business. He excels in stock investment and embodies the typical adventurous spirit of a Qingdao local. His bold and innovative nature has led him to establish related organizations in several cities across China, managing a total of 26 companies under his leadership.
”In this gap year seminar series, I divided my presentation into four main sections: introducing myself, explaining why I chose a gap year, detailing what I did during the gap year, and reflecting on the meaning of the experience.
During my talk, I shared some of my key principles for success: maintaining a focus on practical work and embracing the development philosophy of learning from advanced productivity. I also introduced my investment idol, Ray Dalio, and recommended some of his books, including ‘Principle’ (Volume 1 & 2), ‘Debt Crises’, and ‘Civilization, Modernization, Value Investing, and China’. I discussed my daily life and concluded with a summary of the significance of my gap year experiences.
Through this seminar series, I had the opportunity to connect and exchange ideas with young people from various regions in depth. We shared our personal gap year experiences and offered advice for youth development. We all agreed that a gap year can help young people better understand themselves, acquire new skills, and gain rich cultural experiences, ultimately preparing them for future challenges and opportunities. We highlighted the importance of gap years for personal growth and development.“
Sissi (Host)
“ We pause, reflect, and resolutely move forward.”—this is how I felt after hearing the guest speakers. If you’re unsure about what to do, first pause, broaden your perspective, and once you understand, move forward confidently.
Thank you again to all the guests and attendees. I look forward to seeing you at the second seminar series!
Audience Comments
01
"I never imagined that within just over two hours, I would hear so many amazing life stories, book recommendations, and valuable insights. As the Seminar series ended, I found myself wanting more. I'm looking forward to hearing even more “crazy” gap year stories in future seminar seriess!"
02
"I’m about to start my gap year later this year, so this seminar series was especially meaningful for me. It has given me the confidence and motivation to move forward with my plans."
03
"Thank you to the organizers for initiating this event. I never expected such a "niche" educational model and life choice to be brought to the forefront, opening up a new world for many audience members who were unfamiliar with this field."