Student Spotlight: Arina Qian (MPA-PNP 2026)

In honor of International Education Week, we’re spotlighting the Wagner International Student Society (WISS)—a student-led organization at NYU Wagner that fosters connection, collaboration, and support among international students while promoting cross-cultural understanding and global engagement within the Wagner community. Meet Arina Qian, Co-Chair of WISS, whose passion for sustainability and community-building has guided her leadership across several student organizations—including Wagner Philanthropy and the Social Innovation and Investment Alliance—while also serving as a peer advisor to incoming students.

You’re serving as Co-Chair of WISS in your second year. What inspired you to continue in this role, and are there initiatives you’re most excited about?

WISS has been one of the most meaningful parts of my NYU journey. Last year, I saw how much it helped international students gain confidence in pursuing their future careers and build a genuine sense of belonging. Continuing as co-chair allows me to keep that momentum going, especially by creating more spaces where students can connect beyond academics. This year, I’m most excited about expanding our collaborations with other student groups and continuing to host our signature interactive events such as Boba Bonding for new students, WISS Hiking, and Dinner with WISS, which blend networking with friendship. At the same time, given the current political uncertainties, we’ve also noticed rising concerns among international students. To address this, we’re offering more career-focused support through initiatives like the International Alumni Panel, where recent Wagner graduates share their experiences and help students regain confidence about their future paths.

As an international and first-generation college student, what have you learned about navigating graduate school in a new country? What advice would you share with others starting that journey?

It can be overwhelming at first—new environment, new expectations, and sometimes self-doubt. I’ve learned that asking questions early and often is a strength, not a weakness. Building relationships with professors, staff, and peers makes a huge difference. My advice is: don’t isolate yourself. Join student groups, seek mentorship, and celebrate small wins. There are also many support resources within Wagner and across NYU. For example, I found the Wagner Writing Center especially helpful for written assignments, and the OCS career coaches and Wasserman Center very supportive in navigating my job search in New York City. It’s important to remember this: don’t be afraid to chase what lights a fire in your soul, and know that every challenge is part of the learning journey that ultimately builds your resilience.

International Education Week celebrates how global perspectives strengthen learning. How do you see that happening at Wagner, and what do you think both international and domestic students gain from it?

At Wagner, global perspectives constantly enrich classroom discussions. Students bring examples from their home countries—such as policy challenges, community innovations, and cultural insights—which spark new ways of thinking. Domestic students gain a broader awareness of how global systems are interconnected, while international students get inspired by how different systems work in the U.S. and learn to apply those insights to their future careers. Together, we create a learning environment that reflects the complexity and diversity of the world we hope to serve.

You’ve worked across multiple sectors—from real estate and clean energy to sustainability consulting and social enterprise—in both China and the U.S. How does this influence your approach to creating effective public service solutions?

Working across sectors has taught me that addressing social and environmental challenges requires diverse collaboration among multiple stakeholders, including government, business, and communities. In real estate, I learned how sustainability and climate challenges can influence urban development decisions; in clean energy, I saw how policy and technology intersect, with public and private sectors working together to accelerate the net-zero transition. These cross-sector experiences have shaped a unique and multidimensional perspective, helping me approach public service solutions from different angles and think more comprehensively about complex problems. They’ve also strengthened my ability to come up with innovative and practical solutions that balance impact and feasibility.

For domestic students eager to be better allies to their international peers, what are some meaningful ways they can do that—both inside and outside the classroom?

Start with curiosity and empathy. Small gestures like inviting international classmates into group discussions or explaining local customs go a long way. Be open to different communication styles and perspectives, and don’t assume that silence means disinterest. International students, especially those from Asian cultures, are often quieter in discussions and may need more encouragement or direct invitations to share their thoughts. Many prefer clear role assignments during teamwork—not because they don’t want responsibility or leadership, but because they value clarity and structure. Respecting these cultural differences and communicating expectations directly can make collaboration much smoother. Sometimes, simply repeating what you understood from their words helps ensure you’re aligned and prevents misunderstanding. Outside the classroom, share resources, invite them to social events, and take the time to learn about each other’s cultures—that helps reinforce friendship and mutual understanding. True allyship grows from genuine connection, empathy, and respect.