Zou, born in China and raised in Singapore, had never been to America before settling in on campus her first year. Though she had always wanted to see the world, she didn’t consider studying internationally and attending Whittier until she met former Vice President of Advancement Elizabeth Robison.
Zou — then a senior in high school — was visiting her hometown of Xiamen, China, during Christmas, the same time Robison was traveling to collaborate with Chinese universities. The two met at a dinner function and Robison encouraged Zou to apply.
The College’s support for international students was instrumental as Zou navigated her way in a new country and made new friends. The tight-knit environment and close relationships with classmates and professors helped her feel welcomed.
“People in LA are warm and friendly, and it was very diverse,” Zou said. “That was a good start for me to actually understand the US culture.”
The Whittier Scholars Program was another tool that allowed Zou to find her calling. Coming from a family of urban planners, the program’s customized pathway creation meant she could major in urban planning and international business while minoring in Chinese.
Zou immersed herself in her studies while diving into other cultures abroad. In her second year, she studied urban planning in Berlin followed by a hands-on experience in Copenhagen, Denmark, in her third year. She capped these adventures with a two-week class with Business Professor Jeffrey Decker in China, showing her classmates the best of Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and even her hometown of Xiamen.
“I have to thank the Whittier Scholars Program as well as the international office because they really opened up this opportunity for me to pursue what I was passionate about,” Zou said, adding that she has made lifelong friends across majors and class years.
After graduating from Whittier, Zou continued her academic pursuits, earning a master’s in regional planning from Cornell University. Zou returned to Singapore in 2018. She worked as a manager at the Centre for Liveable Cities, a division of the Ministry of National Development, where she was the account manager for China Partnership and also focused on research publications. Zou has been a consultant at the World Bank Group since 2022. Currently, she focuses on innovation, knowledge exchange, and capability development projects at the Singapore Water Center, collaborating with local and international government agencies in the water sector to ensure sustainable water management practices for future generations worldwide.
“I'm also learning every day on my job, and I'm really excited about it,” Zou said. “Water is not always the priority of people's minds, but it is very important.”
Like flowing water, her advice to Whittier students is to not be stagnant.
“You have to embrace the diversity that's around you,” Zou said. “Always be open to opportunities and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Always keep learning.”
Have a good story idea? Share it with us.
