The ELI Student Spotlight series is designed to highlight students who demonstrate outstanding commitment and enthusiasm in ELI courses.

Yuk Long (Ryan) Yip is a true ELI superstar!  He was nominated for this spotlight by 3 ELI lecturers: Pamela Bogart, Trisha Dowling, and Judy Dyer.


As a Master’s student, Ryan has taken 2 ELI classes, served as a class assistant for ELI 541: Culture and Communication in the US, and collaborated with Trisha Dowling, ELI faculty, to deliver a 2-part workshop titled “Participating in Sustainability Conversations on Campus and Beyond” for the ELI community.  Trisha praises Ryan for “consistently going above and beyond in everything he does, showing dedication, enthusiasm and a strong work ethic in all his contributions and his willingness to support others in their learning journey.”  Thanks, Ryan!  You make a difference wherever you are!

 

Name: Yuk Long (Ryan) Yip

Hometown: Hong Kong SAR

Country: China

Degree Program: Masters in Environment and Sustainability

 

What inspired you to take a class at the English Language Institute? As an international student who is motivated to better understand U.S. culture and institutions, I reached out to an ELI advisor for course recommendations before coming to the University of Michigan. I was advised to enroll in ELI 541: Culture and Communication in the U.S., as it is considered an interesting class with a low academic workload. The best part was that it fit well with my course schedule!

What have you enjoyed the most about your experience with ELI's resources? Why? To say that I thoroughly enjoyed taking ELI 541: Culture and Communication in the U.S. is an understatement. This class is taught by Trisha Dowling and Judy Dyer, and I loved learning about U.S. culture from an international perspective, while connecting with my classmates from China, Zimbabwe, South Korea, and more. I also appreciated the dual focus of ELI-organized events—covering both professional and cultural contexts—which made me feel included and supported. One highlight was celebrating Halloween together, which I really enjoyed, as I got to meet other Wolverines (Go Blue!) and ELI lecturers.

What do you hope to do after graduating from Michigan? After receiving my Master's degree, I aspire to work in the renewable energy field, where I can advocate for climate-friendly policies, assist with regulatory and compliance work (such as the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, and National Environmental Policy Act), and foster community-led development. At some point in the future, I hope to pursue law school specializing in environmental law or a certificate program in public policy and administration to deepen my understanding of the role of institutions in shaping environmental policy and advancing sustainable development.

What advice would you give to other international students at U-M? Push your boundaries, even if it feels unconventional. Use your unique perspective as an international student to build connections, join student-led clubs and organizations, and explore beyond academics. Embrace every opportunity—sometimes unexpected paths lead to the best discoveries!
For example, after ELI 541 concluded, I stayed in touch with Trisha to find ways to promote sustainability across campus. She invited me to co-organize a two-day event celebrating LSA's Year of Sustainability this semester. I was thrilled to see participants from diverse cultures and backgrounds come together, all passionate about taking climate action on and beyond campus.

Ryan's personal website can be found Here