Yuk Long (Ryan) Yip (MS ’25) is a second-year master’s student at the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS), where he is studying Environmental Justice, Environmental Policy and Planning, and Sustainable Systems. He comes to SEAS from Hong Kong and shares what life is like for an international student at SEAS.

Yip graduated from the Chinese University of Hong Kong with a BSc in Environmental Science. During his studies, he participated in an exchange year at the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2019, which he says sparked his interest in continuing his education in the U.S. 

“The way of learning, engagement, and even interaction with the professors are really different, kind of opposite, to what it was like in Hong Kong,” says Yip. “Engaging with professors at UMass Amherst felt more relaxed—I didn’t feel the need to be overly formal. They actively encouraged students to approach them, share their thoughts, and even challenge their viewpoints during class.”

Yip says he learned about SEAS while attending COP27 in 2022. 

“I bumped into a second-year SEAS student who was also an international student. He gave me his business card with the SEAS logo on it and highly recommended that I apply. You could call it fate, but that encounter gave me the motivation to submit my application to SEAS—and I’m so glad I got in!”

SEAS stood out to him for both the master’s projects—which offer invaluable professional experience—and the program’s historical legacy in environmental justice, which aligned with his values and career aspirations. Yip says that the projects on environmental justice were exactly what he was looking for in his transition from lab research to renewable energy and community engagement. 

“One of the reasons I got attracted to SEAS is it is one of the best environmental schools in the states, and that really got my attention,” says Yip. “In SEAS specifically, they emphasize collaboration, knowledge exchange, and whenever you want opportunities, you just need to ask sometimes.”

Yip says the flexible curriculum at SEAS was also a big draw for him. 

“It allows me to explore different academic and professional focuses through trial and error and is a great way to step out of my comfort zone and make new friends from other schools. For instance, I've been taking classes at the law, public policy and social work schools, and the English Language Institute, where I collaborated with a lecturer to design a two-part sustainability workshop. I believe this flexibility is a crucial part of my graduate school experience, which helps me refine my interests and career path along the way.” 

Yip highlights the built culture of the international student community at SEAS. He acknowledges that it can feel difficult at first for international students to find their taste of home, but he found that the international student community has used food as their common interest to bring each other together. 

“Knowing some international folks who are always willing to host by having hot pot together is just a nice communal gathering that brings us all together because of food,” says Yip.

Yip talks about the support system within and outside of SEAS. 

“As international students, something that is unique about us is that we always find a way. And if we’re in doubt, we can always go to the SEAS Student Center and University Career Center. “The staff will not only help you with the course curriculum, making sure you graduate within the expected amount of time, but they will always express support for initiatives that you are passionate about.” Yip also adds that “if you are interested in using common spaces in the Dana building for an upcycling workshop, study group, etc., the Student Center Staff are always excited to hear our thoughts.”

While studying in Hong Kong, Yip was the general secretary of the Environmental Science Society, and he knew he wanted to find leadership opportunities and challenge himself here at U-M, too. During his first semester at SEAS, Yip ran for and was elected as first year representative in SEAS Student Government, which has now led him to be the vice president of internal affairs. He is also a member of the Ross Leadership Academy and a Catalyst Leadership Circle Fellow in the U-M Graham Sustainability Institute. 

He emphasizes the importance of connections. Yip says he found his way into the Ross Leadership Academy thanks to one of his fellow students who saw the opportunity and shared it with Yip as he thought it would be a great fit for his interests. He also has a newfound interest in volleyball, sparked by a chance game during SEAS orientation, which takes place at the U-M Biological Station in Pellston, MI. 

“I met some friends playing volleyball during orientation, and then we decided to join an intramural beach volleyball team. Volleyball makes me feel like, as an international student, really not that different from the rest of the students to say the least,” says Yip. “Being able to have fun, other than coursework, is something that I really enjoy. Having a little bit of work-life balance.”

“After joining SEAS, I’ve come to realize the importance of fostering networks. It’s truly inspiring to see sustainability leaders coming together from different fields and interests. My peers and colleagues have been instrumental in guiding me with professional connections and resources, ensuring my success both during my time at SEAS and beyond,” says Yip.

He is also involved in on-campus jobs. Yip works as a Graduate Resident Advisor (GRA) for Munger Graduate Residences. He lives in the building and hosts events for the residents. Yip explained that he initially started a group chat for residents interested in volleyball to join him, but now that chat has nearly 200 people in it and is no longer solely about volleyball. This group created more friendships and a sense of community in Munger. Yip was glad to see his initial chat bringing so many people together. 

Still, being an international student comes with its share of challenges. There are limited options for international students to work during their time here, so finding this GRA position was perfect for him, Yip says. Another major concern was the initial funding, as well as thinking ahead to all of the paperwork and knowledge needed to get a job upon graduation, particularly with all of the required visa forms, specific for each country. 

Yip is part of a themed master’s project on clean energy, where he had the opportunity to spend his summer in Molokai, Hawaii on a six-person graduate student team, working with two community organizations to uphold their energy sovereignty (and playing some games of beach volleyball). The project builds on the work started by another group of SEAS students.

One piece of advice Yip has for prospective students, both international and domestic, is to “break out of your shell, be bold, ask questions, and be open to new opportunities.” 

“You are not supposed to know for sure what you want to do, even after graduation from SEAS. That’s part of the process, and that’s how we grow,” says Yip.