Despite the fact that our realities are becoming both increasingly globalized and lived behind screens, there is a simultaneous push to develop community-oriented projects that favor sustainable solutions at home, and it’s these two areas of focus that will be front and center at the Leadership Innovation & Future Thinking (LIFT) High School Forum.
Hosted by Yale Center Beijing and Philanthropy in Motion (PIM), LIFT will run from October to December, during which time students will develop a project that addresses the issues laid out under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The program requires one session each month at Yale Center Beijing, which is further supplemented by online mentorship sessions.
By the end of the forum, the teams will have completed a project design, presented it to a panel of judges, and received critical feedback, culminating in a program certificate and/or letter of recommendation for those ideas that are truly exceptional. Additionally, students will have the chance to enter their projects in some of the biggest international and domestic competitions such as “China Thinks Big.”
Though there is an application process, and space is limited, selected students can expect Ivy League-level instruction through workshops led by PIM Co-Founder and Yale graduate, Jasmine Lau, as well as Yale’s Tsai City Program Director, Onyeka Obiocha. What’s more, students will be working under the mentorship of members from Harvard, Columbia, Oxford, and more.
PIM Co-Founder and Yale graduate, Jasmine Lau
The deadline to apply is September 16, and requires an application, a deposit of RMB 2000, and two short-answer essays.
Eligible applicants should be in grades 9-12, be proficient in English (scores of 80 or higher on TOEFL and similar English level tests are recommended), be able to contribute to discussions and work in a team setting, and are self-motivated with a desire to challenge oneself.
If selected, the overall program fee is RMB 26,800, and includes participation in the forum for both online and offline sessions, as well as lunch during the on-site sessions. For an additional fee, Yale Center Beijing can arrange hotel accommodation near the campus. And for friends who want to apply together, there is a 5% “buddy discount.” Last, but certainly not least, one lucky candidate who demonstrates financial need will be awarded the merit-based PIM Fellowship, a full fee waiver on the entire program.
While acceptance to the program is contingent on each applicant’s abilities, enrollment is first-come, first-served. So hurry up and get those applications in.
For more information, and to apply, visit https://pimchina.org/en/lift/
Photos: PIM, Phi Foundation
