Keeping UCC Connections Alive in Shanghai

Rowan Heaphy BA 2011 is an International Brand Manager with Mavinia in Shanghai where he also lectures at Shanghai International Studies University. A graduate of European Studies at UCC, Rowan volunteers as an International Alumni Leader with UCC’s Alumni Chapter in China and is Vice Chair of the Irish Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai.

There are strong links between Cork and Shanghai. The sister city relationship, established in 2005, has fostered cultural, economic and educational ties between the two cities. In this story, Rowan shares about his experience bringing alumni together halfway around the world and why he still feels connected to UCC after being far away from campus for over a decade.

How did you get involved in the UCC alumni network in China?

I first got involved back in 2013 or 2014, and almost every year since then, I was put in contact with someone that would be moving here. With the help of the UCC office in Shanghai, and the Advancement Office back in Cork, we started to do some more official events and connect with both Irish and Chinese alumni of UCC who are currently based here in Shanghai.

Can you tell us about UCC’s engagement in Shanghai?

We’re very lucky that Cork is twinned with Shanghai! It really allows UCC to have a foothold in the city, with the vast majority of Irish exchange students coming from UCC. The alumni here are always delighted that faculty of UCC get to come to Shanghai and Cork City Council and Cork County Council both have delegations that come during the year, and UCC are a firm part of those delegations. It gives us alumni here a chance to meet with UCC representatives and also allows UCC to meet with officials from the government, universities and various other institutions that not every university can easily meet. 

What do you see as the key benefits of the UCC alumni network in Shanghai?  

A sense of feeling connected more than anything else. There is an overlap of networks such as the Irish Chamber of Commerce China where alumni can regularly meet. We also have a nationwide group chat in China so it’s possible to connect with UCC alumni in other parts of the country, not just Shanghai. 

Would you have any advice for students or alumni moving to Shanghai?

For alumni thinking of moving here, I’d 100% say to do it! I’ve been here 15 years and it’s a city unlike others - the lifestyle, the experiences, the city in general, it’s very hard to beat! For students planning to study here, do your research on what you need before coming, which apps are necessary, and go out to make contacts while you’re here as they may be useful to you after you graduate. 

Do you have a favourite memory from UCC?

It’s rather cliché I know, but the friends I made there. Through a wedding recently, I reconnected with a friend that I was close with in first year but due to life and us both moving overseas, we lost contact. Getting together again at a wedding with many other friends from my UCC days took me right back to being 18 years old and the laughs we had in, between (or at times, skipping) lectures! Honourable mention also to my Erasmus year in Bordeaux, it was a life changing moment and recommend anyone that has the chance to do it, to go for it! 

You can learn more about the International Alumni Network on the UCC Advancement website. If you would like to join to start a local club in your area please fill out this short interest form or contact alumni@ucc.ie.