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Alumni Success Story: Xuan Arthur Yang '17

As a teenager, Xuan “Arthur” Yang (‘17) had a passion for mountain biking and a love for the outdoors, especially the mountains. When he and his family were searching for a boarding school in the United States, Yang was drawn to the images on the TFS website. "I thought, wow, it is beautiful. It has mountains and lakes, and I want to go there," he said. However, after arriving, he discovered there was so much more to the school than the natural surroundings. "The school was great, and the people were amazing. It was the best decision I ever made."

In August of 2013, Yang flew from Beijing, China, to Atlanta and made his way to the mountains of Northeast Georgia to attend TFS. For Yang, the environment at TFS made the transition to a new country a positive experience. “There was so much going on,” he said. “Classes were important, but clubs, sports, and other extracurricular activities were equally important.” 

Yang knew that at TFS, he could pursue any interest he had. “There was space to figure out who we were and what we were passionate about,” said Yang. “When we decided to do something, the message was clear that we should go for it. That was a different message than what I was used to.” Alumni Arthur Yang 2017 

Yang fondly remembers that he and his dorm friends decided to start a recycling club when their soft drink cans started piling up. They gathered all the cans, and on the weekend, a dorm counselor would take them to the recycling center. Eventually, they started the club in the school. “It was a good social experience,” he said. “I made a lot of friends through that.” 

He was also an active member of the Key Club. “I had nothing but my time to give, and the Key Club was all about doing things for a good cause,” Yang said. “Through the club, I was exposed to the local community. My horizon expanded beyond the dorm and academic buildings. I saw how other people in the U.S. live their lives, what their communities are like, and what matters to them.”

TFS helped Yang understand the importance of being a well-rounded student in preparation for college, and he felt tremendous support through the process. “Teachers and counselors always had time for me,” he said. “I would not be the same person I am today. I would not be able to do what I do now without my experience at TFS.” 

After graduating from TFS in 2017, Yang attended Cornell University, where he pursued a degree in architecture. Today, Yang works for the renowned architectural firm, United Network Studio, headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, where he specializes in computational design. “I help other architects to build better and faster through technology,” he said. 

Yang has some advice for TFS students. “The smartest thing to do is to work hard. When we work so hard, we will start to work smart and strategize. Climb the mountain – do the work – first to see the landscape. You have to ascend before you know the direction.