On December 6th, members of the Toronto TYCon community gathered for a winter meetup at the iconic Nathan Phillips Square for Ice Skating. With the city just beginning to embrace the holiday season, the square was glowing with festive lights and buzzing with energy. Despite the chilly weather, spirits were high and attendees rented skates and took to the ice. After a few laps, everyone quickly found their rhythm, circling the rink and enjoying the lively atmosphere while chatting and getting to know each other. We skated for around an hour, pausing occasionally to rest and observe the winter charm of downtown Toronto. A highlight of the evening came when the Zamboni resurfaced the rink, allowing us to enjoy a few final loops on freshly smoothed ice. After skating, the group walked to the nearby Eaton Centre to warm up away from the cold of the outdoors. We chatted some more over mochi donuts and drinks at the food court. From skating under the lights to sharing treats indoors, the meetup was a cozy and memorable way to kick off the festive season together!

Our March webinar will feature two McKinsey consultants, Susan Zhao and Richard Lou! They will give an overview of consulting, provide insider tips, and describe their individual paths in the field. Susan and Richard first met through TYCon, and Richard helped play a key role in guiding Susan’s path to the company. Their story highlights the power of the TYCon network and the impact of peer support in navigating competitive career paths. Join us on March 27, 3:30pm EST to hear firsthand experiences from these two accomplished individuals. Register for the event here: https://forms.gle/3a4NcuGmKNY9ndk9A

By Shelby Xu The Tsinghua Youth Connect (TYCon) DMV community came together to celebrate Chinese New Year in collaboration with the Tsinghua Alumni Association in Greater Washington, D.C. at Potomac Elementary School. The event was organized by the Tsinghua Alumni Association, who generously invited TYCon to join in the celebration. The evening brought together second-generation members from across the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area, with attendees ranging from young children to working professionals. Guests began the night by checking in, taking photos in front of a festive Chinese New Year backdrop, and reconnecting with friends old and new. Dinner was catered by one of the Tsinghua alumni, and the room quickly filled with laughter, conversation, and joyful reunions among both the children and adults. The program continued with karaoke and raffle prizes, adding to the lively and celebratory atmosphere. During dinner, I had the opportunity to introduce TYCon and share our mission with Tsinghua alumni parents, encouraging greater involvement and participation from the next generation. Overall, the celebration provided a meaningful opportunity for TYCon members and Tsinghua alumni to connect beyond a single gathering and strengthen relationships within the DMV community. More importantly, the evening embodied the spirit of tuányuán (团圆) — coming together as one family during the Chinese New Year. As our Tsinghua community in the DMV continues to grow, so does our sense of belonging. This celebration was not just a holiday event, but a reminder that even far from home, we are building a larger Tsinghua family in the DMV, where Gen 1 and Gen 2 come together across generations.

On a snowy morning, TYCon hosted a Boston city meetup at Winsor Dim Sum Café, bringing together Gen II college students and alumni despite freezing conditions. The meetup reflected the core presence of the Tsinghua Gen II community in the Boston area, with students from Harvard and Northeastern making the effort to gather and reconnect. The attendees all met through volunteering at LA’s TYConvention, so this was the perfect time to reconnect after nine months. The meetup carried a sense of continuity—strengthening existing connections while welcoming new ones, and reinforcing the presence of a growing Gen II community in Boston. Over dim sum and warm tea, conversations unfolded naturally—ranging from updates on school life to reflections on the challenges of sophomore year and the transitions that come with it. Participants shared experiences across campuses, finding common ground in both the pressures and growth that define this stage of college. Gen II also shared the broader opportunity provided by the Tsinghua network, reflecting on how connections formed through the convention led to internships, volunteer, and job opportunities, leading to 团圆 in Beijing. These experiences were transformational—shaping not only professional direction but also a deeper sense of community. As student life becomes more settled, attendees shared intention to continue contributing, ensuring that the network remains active, supportive, and expanding for future Gen II members.

On February 7th, TYCon held its first city meetup in the Atlanta region. This event marks the beginning of the expansion of the Tsinghua Gen II community in the state of Georgia and the American Southeast. This city meetup aims to start building and expanding the Gen II community in Atlanta. Gen II community members enjoyed specialty coffee, light bites, and relaxing conversations in a chill afternoon at Cafe Intermezzo, a 19th-century European-style decorated cafe with outstanding and uncommon coffee beverages, including Turkish Coffee. Participants are undergraduate and graduate students in the Atlanta region. Beginning with informal introductions, Gen II members exchanged their interest, past experience, their understanding of shared Tsinghua value, stories, and memories of their parents, and what their Gen II identity meant for them. Moreover, long-term goals and pioneering dreams also collided across the table, in a small corner at a café in Midtown. Special thanks to Tsinghua Alumni Association in Georgia (TAAG), its previous president Mr. Su Gao, and current president Mrs. He Han for building connections and supporting this event. Best Regards from Atlanta, Atlanta Regional Lead Patrick fang

On February 7th, 2026, TYCon hosted a high-energy regional meetup in Irvine, California. As part of the ongoing effort to strengthen the Gen II community in Southern California, this event focused on fostering deep teamwork and problem-solving through a high-stakes interactive experience at the Irvine Spectrum Center. The afternoon centered on a "Challenge and Conquer" theme. Five Gen II community members volunteered for the facility's most difficult escape room mission. The experience pushed the group to their limits, requiring them to navigate "unglamorous" environmental puzzles—including searching through simulated metal toilets—and deciphering complex literary riddles. The group demonstrated exceptional sharp wit and synchronized teamwork, successfully unlocking the final door with only two minutes remaining on the clock. Following the adrenaline-filled victory, the participants gathered for a celebratory dinner, bonding over a vibrant feast of Singapore noodles and Hainanese chicken. The informal setting allowed members to transition from tactical cooperation to personal storytelling, reinforcing the shared values of the Gen II identity. Special thanks to the organizers, Raymond Yao and Jason He, for their meticulous planning and for leading the group to a hard-won victory.

On January 31st, 2026, Tsinghua Youth Connect (TYCon) held its first meet up in the Bay Area where Gen 2s gathered for a relaxing afternoon of getting to know one another. This meetup offered close conversations, laughter, and connection amidst the rush of a new year. Part of TYCon’s larger collection of City Meetups, this event aimed to build authentic, in-person connections between Gen 2s. This afternoon was a low-stakes environment to meet and spend time with others, alongside a wide range of choices for refreshments; from boba to matcha to fruit teas, Stonestown Galleria held a wide range of options. While this was a smaller group, hours passed by quickly as we discussed unique backgrounds, shared interests, and the pathways from higher education into the workforce. It was fascinating having people spread across a wide range within the Bay Area, from San Francisco, to the East Bay, to San Jose, with roots going out to Canada and back to China. We can’t wait to build up our Bay Area network, fostering connections amongst the abundant Tsinghua Gen 2 community, and supporting one another throughout any future endeavors. We look forward to more exciting opportunities to bring together you all! Event planning courtesy of the Bay Area Regional Lead, Anthony Jin!

July 28, 2023 - July 30, 2023 Washington D.C. The Youth Conference of the North America Tsinghua Alumni Convention, designed and organized by the second generation of Tsinghua Alumni, presents a diverse range of panelists, cultural explorations, and networking opportunities. The convention features exceptional young leaders in various fields such as sports, academics, community leadership, and entrepreneurship, providing attendees with unparalleled opportunities for personal and professional growth.  The conference fosters bonding between peers through recreational sport tournaments, tours of Washington, D.C., banquets, and team-building games. Participants would gain a valuable experience that integrates networking, leadership, career development, and community building. What our attendees say "What an opportunity to reconnect with fellow Asian Americans after 7 years of isolating myself from the community. Can't believe I met so many awesome people and learned so much in one weekend!" Harrison Liu "I got to meet other impressive, inspiring, and smart peers all thanks to the Youth Conference. I’m sure I’ll keep in touch with them, and maybe see them again at the next conference ☺️" Megan He More about Richie Lou Richie is an Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company, where he serves C-suite and senior executive clients of pharma and biotech companies on topics such as drug commercial strategy, pricing & access, and healthcare reform. He leads the firm’s research on direct-to-patient drug channels. Prior to McKinsey, Richie was a consultant at Deloitte Consulting, venture fellow at Idea Farm Ventures, and graduated from Wharton at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was a member of the international case team, president of Wharton China Business Society, and head of a consulting club. In his free time, Richie loves playing tennis, following soccer and Formula 1, and exploring new restaurants in and around New York City.  Richie is also part of the McKinsey’s New York Office campus recruiting team and formerly for Deloitte’s. He will be participating in a career and recruiting panel.  More about Richard Niu Richard is an investment banking analyst at Morgan Stanley with three certifications issued by FINRA, a government organization which oversees U.S. broker-dealers. He attended the University of California, Berkeley; during his time there, Richard worked as an education volunteer at the Cal Berkeley Habitat for Humanity as well as a volunteer for the Berkeley Project, a community service organization focused on improving the environment of Berkeley. He will be presenting a session on the topic of job hunting. More about Clara Wang Clara Wang grew up in Harvard, Massachusetts and received her undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College. She studied Government, Public Policy, and Quantitative Social Sciences and graduated Phi Beta Kappa with High Honors in Government. After graduating from college, Clara worked as an Applied Data Scientist at Civis Analytics for two years, working on the healthcare and political teams. She then pursued a Master's degree at Peking University through the Yenching Academy program, studying economics and management. While completing her Master's degree, Clara interned at the Brookings Institution and worked as a data scientist on the Biden campaign in 2020. She then spent time working at a tech media start-up, Protocol, where she wrote data-driven articles and built client-facing data products. She is currently a data scientist at a large technology company. More about Ellen Pan Ellen is an 18-year-old multilingual writer and illustrator who has published five picture books, several of which she has also translated into Chinese and English. Many of her titles have achieved the bestseller status in their respective New Releases categories on Amazon, and one title is preparing to be published by the Beijing Education Press in China. Throughout her high school years, Ellen has consistently won national writing awards in the Scholastic Art & Writing contest. She will be attending Harvard this fall. More about Kathy Chen Kathy grew up in northern New Jersey and received her B.S. from the University of Michigan in Biomolecular Science. During her undergraduate time, Kathy worked in various lab settings and performed wet bench research in the fields of immunology, pathology, and epigenetics. Her research experiences also include developmental stem cell research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Following her time at the University of Michigan, Kathy pursued a Masters of Public Health at Columbia University with a focus on environmental epidemiology. Throughout her time, Kathy has worked to translate science into practice through work at organizations including the United Nations and the Natural Resources Defense Council. She currently works as a health sciences consultant at a boutique life sciences consulting firm. More about Clara Wang Clara Wang grew up in Harvard, Massachusetts and received her undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College. She studied Government, Public Policy, and Quantitative Social Sciences and graduated Phi Beta Kappa with High Honors in Government. After graduating from college, Clara worked as an Applied Data Scientist at Civis Analytics for two years, working on the healthcare and political teams. She then pursued a Master's degree at Peking University through the Yenching Academy program, studying economics and management. While completing her Master's degree, Clara interned at the Brookings Institution and worked as a data scientist on the Biden campaign in 2020. She then spent time working at a tech media start-up, Protocol, where she wrote data-driven articles and built client-facing data products. She is currently a data scientist at a large technology company. More about Harrison Liu Harrison was born in North Carolina but moved to China when he was four. He spent most of his time in Beijing, attending the Yew Chung International School in the Chaoyang district. During high school, Harrison transferred to St. Andrew’s College, a Canadian all-boys boarding school north of Toronto. He enjoyed immersing himself in the local culture, picking up a love for hockey, country music, and Tim Hortons. When senior year came around, he knew it was time to return to his roots. So, he decided to attend The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where his parents first immigrated for graduate school. With a naturally curious mind, he completed his Bachelor of Science in 2021 with a Biology major and a Chemistry minor. After graduating college, Harrison shipped up to Boston, where he worked at a biotechnology startup. After a year of growth and contemplation, he realized his calling in healthcare. Saying goodbye to the city and friends he had grown to love, he moved back to North Carolina to pursue clinically relevant research opportunities. In the fall of 2022, he started at a cancer research lab down the road from his Alma mater, at a small college with a mediocre basketball program called Duke University.  Outside of work, Harrison is focused on applying to medical schools where he hopes to enroll in an MD/PhD program. He is excited to finish his applications this fall so he can focus on his dream of becoming a semi-professional pickleball player again. More about Willy Xiao Willy is currently an Engineering Manager at Envoy. As the Head of Engineering at a startup, he previously built a team which was acquired in August of 2022. Before that he was a Software Engineering Tech Lead at Facebook and studied Computer Science & Statistics at Harvard. One of Willy’s most fulfilling experiences was serving as a Youth Lead for the 2019 World Scout Jamboree, which was a 12-day,  50,000+ person in West Virginia with attendees from over 150 countries. He learned a lot about organizational leadership and strategy in his time there. In his free time, Willy and his sister Karen are having deeper conversations with their parents and working to preserve the oral histories of their family , talk to him if you’re interested! More about Alex Chen Alex is an incoming freshman at the University of Pennsylvania studying business and computer science under the Jerome Fisher Program in Management & Technology. Alex has worked as the Growth Manager of 2.5 Intelligence, a blockchain startup with a pre-seed valuation of $25 million. He has received international recognition for his critical essays—including a Scholastic Gold Medal and Third Prize in Economics from the John Locke Global Essay Competition. During high school he was also heavily involved in Model UN, mathematics, and Asian American advocacy. In his career, Alex wants to work on technologies to foster democratization and economic development. Alex's current interests include maching learning and rationality. He also enjoys working out, running, and playing table tennis. More about Perryn Chang Perryn is a rising freshman studying mathematics and economics at Yale University who was admitted as a Yale Engineering and Science Scholar with a likely letter. He is a strong proponent of using mathematical ideas to drive economic theory and policy decisions. In high school, Perryn has competed in the USA Math Olympiad four times, achieved a perfect score on the AMC12, and produced research on coding theory through the Stanford University Math Camp. He was also a semifinalist in the Wharton Global High School Investment Competition and a founding leader of his school's investing club. In his free time, Perryn enjoys chess, running, and playing poker. More about Megan He Megan He, a Michigan native, is a PhD student in atmospheric chemistry modeling at Harvard University. Her research focus is on air quality, which she first became aware of after seeing the smog in Beijing as a child. Megan is also very interested in the intersection of science and policy – she studied both environmental engineering and global affairs at Yale University and completed her Masters degree in public policy as part of the Churchill Scholarship at the University of Cambridge. She will be presenting a panel on academics. More about Karly Hou Karly studies computer science and mathematics at Harvard. She is passionate about accessible education, sustainable innovations, and public health, and is curently building for equitable education as the founder and executive director of the Wave Learning Festival. She is also an engineering fellow at Kleiner Parkins as well as a Harvard Social Impact Fellow and Harvard Tech Fellow. In her free time, Karly is a photography enthusiast and explores many genres of fine arts. More about Annie Lu Annie is the CEO and Co-Founder of H2Ok Innovations, an IoT operating system for industrials and infrastructure. She is an entrepreneur in cleantech, and is passionate about innovating to make the world a more sustainable and efficient place by targeting society’s most foundational sectors–– including manufacturing, supply chain, and digital infrastructure. H2Ok Innovations works with leading Fortune 500 customer enterprises from Unilever, to Coca-Cola Company, Cargill, Ecolab, to one of the world’s largest tech companies scaled across their global hyperscale data centers, and is backed by leading investors including Construct Capital, 2048 VC, Flybridge Capital, and more. Annie is on the 2022 Forbes 30 Under 30 list. Annie is personally passionate about supporting female founders and women in STEM. In her free time, she is actively engaged in Greentown Labs’ women founders community, sits on the leadership within the Technology Committee of Infrastructure Masons (leading industry association in digital infrastructure), is an advocate for the Girl Up Foundation, and is a professional mentor for the Strong Women Strong Girls organization. Annie is also previously 2019 Miss Massachusetts Teen USA, advocating for women’s empowerment and gender equality. Annie studied Economics and Computer Science at Harvard University. Outside of her work, she enjoys competing in scholarship pageants and Formula 1.  More about David Lu As Co-Founder and CTO of H2Ok Innovations, David is an entrepreneur and rising leader in the cleantech space. In his work, he thinks deeply about the future of foundational industries such as infrastructure, manufacturing, and supply chains and the application of digital technologies in these spaces for sustainable operations. For his work, he is recognized as a Forbes 30 under 30 lister.   Foundational industries range from the food processing plants where our dinner comes from to the data centers that power our internet. Unfortunately, because this work happens behind the scenes, they are often not in the spotlight for innovation, while also being one of the key contributors to emissions, pollution, and users of natural resources. Furthermore, with a majority of the workforce that operates these sectors reaching retirement age in the coming decade, there is a critical need to think through sustainable operations in these industries on two fronts, environmental sustainability, and workforce sustainability. At H2Ok Innovations, David leads the engineering team, working closely with customers ranging from Fortune 500 enterprises to develop and deploy Industry 4.0 technologies for data-driven real-time operation optimization to reduce resource usage, product loss, and the digitization of knowledge for technology-assisted workflows.   David has a deep passion for entrepreneurship, team building, and customer-centric problem solving. He will share about how he went from hacking together proof of concepts and pitch competitions while in college, to building a 20 million-dollar startup after graduation. Knowing the urgency of critical challenges like climate change, he aims to use entrepreneurship as a vehicle to expedite the sustained rollout and adoption of innovation into the real world. He hopes to inspire and pave the way for more Asian American representation in the entrepreneurship ecosystem. Prior to founding H2Ok Innovations, David worked in a variety of industries from chemical manufacturing to aerospace engineering, data analysis for water tech, and more. David holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and computer science from Brown University. More about Vincent Zhou Vincent Zhou is a Team USA figure skater, two-time Olympian, and 2022 Olympic medalist. He was the youngest American Olympian in 2018 and the first person to land the Quadruple Lutz in Olympic history. Vincent is a 2-time World medalist, 14-time major ISU medalist, Skate America champion, Junior World champion, Junior Grand Prix & Grand Prix Finalist, Four Continents medalist, 6-time US National Senior medalist, and 3-time US National champion.  Vincent performs at figure skating shows for charity and instructs US Figure Skating national development camps. He serves on the US Figure Skating Singles Development & Technical Committee as well as the Athlete Advisory Committee. He is an athlete representative at the US Olympic & Paralympic Training Center. He is an invited speaker by numerous organizations nationwide and has been personally honored by the United States President at the White House. He is also a recipient of the AAPI Excellence Award by California legislature and has been recognized on NBC for AAPI Heritage Month. Vincent studies Economics at Brown University. His parents both graduated from Tsinghua University, majoring in Computer Science and Engineering. Vincent’s older sister is a national-level diver who graduated from MIT and is currently pursuing a PhD in neuroscience at Stanford. In his spare time, Vincent loves writing poetry, bouldering, mountaineering, and listening to electronic music. You can find him on Instagram @govincentzhou and @tears__in__rain. More about Rachel Zhang Rachel Zhang grew up in West Lafayette, IN and attended the University of Michigan, where she studied biomedical engineering and pre-med with a minor in music. While at Michigan, Rachel performed with the Michigan Marching Band as their 57th Drum Major, the first ever woman of color to do so. This role involved teaching 400 members marching techniques, performing in front of 100k+ fans for every game, and liaising as the band's figurehead to alumni, donors, and fans. During her gap year before attending medical school, Rachel will be working as a paraprofessional/research assistant at an institute for children with brain injuries/disorders.  Convention Day 1 Friday, July 28 Dress code: business casual Gen 1 Agenda:  https://dc23.tsinghua.org/fri Gen 2 Agenda: Convention Day 2 Saturday, July 29 Dress code Under 18: business casual Over 18: business formal Gen 1 Morning Agenda:  https://dc23.tsinghua.org/sat1 Gen 1 Afternoon Agenda:  https://dc23.tsinghua.org/sat2 Gen 2 Afternoon Agenda: Convention Day 3 Sunday, July 30 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM:   Washington D.C. Tour 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM:   Departures

By: Lia Che and Alexandra Ye On August 10, a group of us gathered in Vancouver for an afternoon bike ride around Stanley Park. With just days left before some of us scatter to different colleges, it felt like the perfect chance to connect with the beautiful nature of Vancouver and spend time with our Tsinghua Gen 2 friends! The ride itself was very successful. We did a full round trip around the park, taking intermediate stops to check in on each other’s progress and enjoy the landmarks (see images below). The sea breeze, the skyline, and the tall evergreens reminded us of why Vancouver is so unique. It's a place where nature and city meet in harmony, a place we will always keep in our hearts as members move away for college. After biking, we headed to Sweet 7 for boba (see image below). Our conversations ranged from our favourite teas to academic advice and career goals with the parents who joined us. What stood out most was the sense of possibility. We began discussing what our next gatherings might look like. One idea we liked was a pottery painting session, where we could talk more while expressing our inner creativity together. We left the meetup not only refreshed but also grateful. Biking around Stanley Park gave us new perspectives on familiar views and this gathering reminded us that we will always have support from our Tsinghua community no matter where life takes us.

On October 18th, 2025, Tsinghua Youth Connect (TYCon) hosted its fourth NYC City Meetup, this time taking our Gen2 community to new heights (literally) with an unforgettable social networking mixer on the 75th floor of the Empire State Building. Supported generously by TEEC (Tsinghua Entrepreneurs and Executive Club) and NAFTHAA (North America Federation of Tsinghua Alumni Associations), this event marked a milestone moment for our growing national and regional youth network. The day began with boba and dim sum, setting a relaxed and welcoming tone that carried through the afternoon. Our hosts kicked things off with a warm welcome to both new and returning faces, introducing TYCon’s mission of fostering meaningful connections among Tsinghua’s second-generation youth across North America. The event brought together college students, graduate scholars, and young professionals living in the New York City area, joined by several young Gen1 alumni and Schwarzman Scholars who shared stories and advice in a friendly, open atmosphere. Guests mingled, laughed, and celebrated the shared pride of being part of the Tsinghua family.  Building Bridges Across Generations: What made this event special was not just the view, but the spirit of intergenerational collaboration. Attendees signed a heartfelt thank-you note to our Gen1 sponsors, whose generosity made the evening possible. The TYCon team emphasized how vital the bridge between Gen1 and Gen2 stands, not only for the event that day but for the future of our community. Thank You to Our Organizers: A huge thank you to our incredible Gen2 organizing team who made this event happen:Rachel Ding, Emily Luo, Karen Xiao, Iris Duan, Susan Zhao, Jake Cui, and Richie Lou. Your dedication and service continue to shape the TYCon community and inspire others to get involved. Looking Ahead: The NYC Mixer reaffirmed the power of our shared vision: to bring the Tsinghua family closer together through engaging, inclusive, and impactful community experiences. We’re already planning our next round of regional events and launching more programs across North America, all made possible by the continued partnership between Gen1 supporters and Gen2 organizers. If you’re a Gen1 Tsinghua alumni who believes in investing in the next generation, or a Gen2 member who wants to get involved, we warmly welcome you to join us and share ideas.  Together, let’s keep building the bridge from Tsinghua, to New York, and beyond! Contact us: tycon@tsinghua.orgJoin the community: forms.gle/mc3EtNCftAvGMc2J8

Great Park Ice, Irvine — November 9, 2025 Tsinghua Youth Connect (TYCon) hosted its first official city meetup Saturday evening at Great Park Ice in Irvine, drawing sixteen Gen 2 participants. The event offered attendees the chance to skate in one of California’s premier ice rinks, which regularly hosts Olympic figure skaters and professional hockey teams, including the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks.  Several alumni attended, providing a link between past and current members of the Tsinghua community. In addition to connecting the Gen 2, the alumni also strengthened their communication ties and agreed on the potential benefits TYCon could bring in the future.  Participants described the meetup as an opportunity to build friendships in a relaxed, non-competitive environment. There were Gen 2 figure skaters and ice hockey players present who helped teach newcomers how to improve their skating. In addition, skaters could race each other on Bobby the Seal® ice skating aids. The Friendsgiving-themed event concluded with attendees gathering at the rink’s edge with a heartfelt group photo, marking the end of TYCon’s inaugural city gathering.  The hardworking and talented TYCon regional leads Raymond Yao and Jason He will continue planning for future events, creating wonderful memories for Gen 2 and strengthening the network of Tsinghua in Southern California.

TYCon’s first in-person meet-up took place on November 16th, 2024, bringing members near the Washington DC area together for a memorable day of outdoor adventure through the trails of Rock Creek Park. The event was followed by a dinner in downtown DC, where members could share experiences and strengthen the ties of the TYCon community. We want to thank everyone who showed up to participate in this lovely get-together!  Matt, TYCon member: I had been looking forward to this event for days. When the day finally came, I was both excited and somewhat nervous, as I have not met any other members prior and did not know what to expect. Fortunately, everyone turned out to be very friendly. While waiting for the rest of the attendees to arrive, we chatted about almost everything — life, school, work, etc. Therefore, we already established a sense of camaraderie, even before the event had really begun.  Once everyone had arrived, we quickly hit the trails after a quick group photo. Although this was in the middle of November, the sky was extremely clear and sunny, and the temperature rather moderate in the higher 50’s. The park offered a great sanctuary from the bustling streets of Washington DC, as if it was not located in one of the largest cities in the country, but in the middle of a natural reserve.  The trail took us through the woods, which were covered by piles of dried leaves that would make crisp, crunchy sounds when stepped on. Nonetheles, there were still ample trees with leaves intact, producing a colorful scenery when looking above.  The group moved in a steady pace, members continuing their chat before the hike began while enjoying the scenery. The trail itself was also pleasant, mostly small hills that did not require too much effort to trek. About fifteen minutes into a hike, we came across a small creek that intersected our path. We split into two groups, taking two different paths to cross. The first group, led by George, hopped between rocks laid on the bed of the creek and crossed first. The second, which I was a part of, climbed a few extra uneven rocks to reach a nearby bridge that also led to the other side. Though the climb was somewhat challenging to all of us, we nonetheless encouraged and cheered for every other group member.  The second half of the trail was more demanding, having deeper inclinations than the first half. We finally began to feel exhausted while climbing up a mountain. Surprisingly, the younger members of the group were much more energetic than others, running uphill without even breaking a sweat. Before returning to the starting points, we took a short break at the peak of the mountain. The journey we came through definitely brought us together as a team, and we were more open to expressing ourselves.  The full duration of the hiking lasted for about three hours, and was undoubtedly the best three hours I had in months. Due to scheduling issues, I had to leave early after the hike and could not attend the dinner, which felt very anticlimactic. In the end, I believe this is certainly an experience I will well remember for years to come. George, organizer: The hike was a good time because it gave us a lot of space to talk, accompanied by the views, of course, since the sun was getting low for the day. Looking back, there were moments I will definitely miss for a while. No one was in a rush. Something about that day made us put our busy lives aside so we could enjoy each other's company I guess. I kind of wish I had taken more pictures to remember those moments. We decided that we wanted to go somewhere chill, so we ditched the original plan (Franklin Hall) and just drove to this street that seemed pretty lively nearby, and walked a bit until we found Ben's Chili Bowl.  People around us came and went. We ended up staying there for a long time. First, it was a little awkward, which I expected considering all of us came based on blind faith. We didn't even know each other the day before, and now the five of us are squeezing in on one table at a random diner. Although I call it blind faith, I don't mean that it was completely unwarranted. I knew there would be good things about the group of Tsinghua second-gens for the faith to stand on, and I wasn't disappointed that day. I felt honesty and a gentle kindness from everyone at the table. We are not a community just yet, but I will make sure some day, not far in the future, being a part of TYCon will be something to be proud of for all of our members. We chatted until there were just three of us and I was almost too tired to drive home. I didn't admit that of course. We wanted the night to continue, but still, we decided it was time to go home. It was a good meet-up. Not bad for a first. Since we didn't get to stay out for longer, I will definitely make sure we get to the next time. It's something better to look forward to.  The street we were on was very much alive. On a Saturday night, I suppose a lot of these guys were just getting started. Right before the last person I walked with turned the corner, he asked me if we will have another one again soon. I said yeah.  November 23rd, 2024 Matt Jiang, George Li