By Judith Cameron

When Haohao Guo
(pronounced How-how Gwo) crossed the threshold of Brooks Residential Hall last fall to begin his freshman year, his grasp of English, he admits, was tenuous. Guo had arrived on campus after a 20-hour flight from his homeland of China. His trans-global trip was made possible by an alum who endowed a scholarship at the Isenberg School of Management for cross-cultural education. Paul Carney ’82, a business executive with many connections to China, created the scholarship, and Guo is the first-ever Carney Scholar.

Guo was determined to honor the mantel of the prize; despite the language hurdle, he earned a 4.0 grade point average his first semester. One of his strategies was meeting weekly with his biology professor. Guo doggedly reviewed scientific terms in order to understand them in English. With his fluency much improved, he took 19 credits spring semester. Guo says the scholarship spurs his drive to succeed.

“I spare no effort to study,” says Guo. “I don’t want to disappoint the people who have high expectations of me.”

The 19-year-old from Guangzhou (known in English as Canton) is doublemajoring in sport management and accounting. Once his studies are complete, he plans to return to China. Guo’s just the kind of international student Carney hoped to reach. “The more we can share between people, the greater the understanding. We will have a better world, a world less likely to have conflict,” he says. “Education is a critical component to that work.” Carney knows the value of learning about different cultures in a global economy. He graduated from UMass Amherst with a degree in accounting and was the first financial executive for Google, Inc. He worked at other technology-based companies heading up international financial operations, even living in Hong Kong for a period of time—about 75 miles from where Guo grew up.

Guo came to UMass Amherst with an impressive academic record, graduating in the top two percent of his 900-member graduating class. Back home, he says, the pressure on students is tremendous. School days are long, with classes held on Saturdays, and grades from major exams are posted publicly. The competition for the Carney scholarship was also fierce. “Without the scholarship, I wouldn’t have this great opportunity, since educational expenses are unaffordable for most Chinese families,” he says.

On campus Guo strikes a healthy balance between his studies and sports. “I usually play basketball, swim, and sometimes play ping-pong or soccer,” he says. As a sports fan, his first year in New England delivered thrills, with a Boston Red Sox World Series win and the Patriots playing in the Super Bowl.

Guo is spending summers in the United States, immersing himself in American culture, which is what Carney envisioned when he made his gift. “By creating scholarships and supporting international exposure for students, I’m trying in my own way to promote cross-cultural understanding and reduce cultural misunderstandings,” he explains. “Ultimately, it’s about getting people to respect one another’s cultures.”

The Carney Scholarship also helps the campus and the Commonwealth to build economic ties with China. “As they go on in their careers, these scholars will carry the maroon flag,” notes Carney. “They will spread the name of UMass Amherst around the world as a great institution of higher learning.” Guo doesn’t know what line of work he will pursue when he returns home; after all, he’s just begun his college education.

He believes his degree will open many doors. “Sports in China are getting more and more popular, and our country needs help with managing public sports associations like the Chinese Basketball Association,” he says. “Plus, with the skills of accounting, I can help with any company. Things will become clearer as I move ahead,” he adds, sounding much like any undergraduate finding his way in a world of possibility.