Ivy Day後寫的一篇Reflection

Reflection on Ivy Day: Beyond the Acceptance Letter
Yesterday marked a significant milestone for our family: my daughter was accepted into Brown University. ????

In an era where Ivy League acceptance rates have sharpened to below 5%, securing a seat at any of these institutions is an immense achievement. Yet, as I shared with her, university is not the finish lineit is the starting block of a lifelong marathon.

A Journey of Pivots and Perseverance

Looking back at my own trajectory, I was never the top student in high school or college. I arrived in the U.S. in the early 90s with nothing but $600 from my sister and a leap of faith. My career has been a series of evolutions: starting in Biology, pivoting to Computer Science, and eventually finding my calling in Investment Management.

Now, entering a milestone year in my lifes cycle, Ive realized that while I may not have been the most gifted at the start, I never stopped moving. In the long river of life, Passion, Perseverance, and Determination are the currents that carry you furthest. Self-discipline and hard work remain the irreducible foundation of any lasting success.

The Next Generation: A New Kind of Resilience

There is a common narrative that the second generation, raised in more comfortable environments, might lack the grit of first-generation immigrants. I disagree. While they havent endured the same material hardships we faced, I see a different, sophisticated drive in them. Success doesnt always require suffering; it requires purpose. I am incredibly optimistic about the future of this younger generation.