Grosse Pointe Woods

Liggett senior admitted to NYU in Abu Dhabi

By K. Michelle Moran
C & G Staff Writer

GROSSE POINTE WOODS — University Liggett students go on to some of the country’s most prestigious schools, but one of this year’s seniors is taking her studies halfway around the world.

Zoe Hu applied to some more local schools, but she fell in love with the school and the culture surrounding New York University in Abu Dhabi.

“I’ve always been drawn to diverse communities and peoples,” said Hu, who spent the first 10 years of her life living in Hong Kong. “I was so excited. Just like from the first meeting, I just knew that’s where I wanted to go.”

Getting accepted to the selective university isn’t an easy feat. Hu was one of 1,000 students who sent applications to the school. The university flew 70, including five American students, to Abu Dhabi for a long weekend during the selection process before narrowing the field to the 50 selected for early admission.

“Zoe is a bright, articulate student,” Liggett Director of Communications Ron Bernas said in an email.

Hu believed the hardest part of the process was getting her application selected initially. She said it was much easier when it was an in-person process during the campus visit.

“I applied at other schools — the University of Michigan and Columbia — but the process at NYU was different, it was more personal,” Hu said in a press release. “I’m so excited.”

Hu said she felt it was a long shot, but when she was accepted, there was no looking back. It was her first choice.

“I can’t even believe it’s happening, to be honest,” she said.

Her mother is excited for her daughter, and her father, who lives in China, is happy that she’ll be a little closer to him. Her mother also will have additional opportunities to visit her daughter, as she does business in India.

While Hu said she may change her mind once she dives into her studies, she is interested in possibly studying international relations or journalism.

When Hu visited the campus for the weekend, she fell in love with the area.

“It was kind of mind-blowing,” she said. “There was such a mix of old and new.”

She said the growth of the area reminded her of New York University here in the United States.

“Everyone there is really in touch with culture and tradition, but at the same time, they’re trying to move forward,” Hu said.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer K. Michelle Moran at kmoran@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1047.