Ching Yan Ellen

I am currently a dual degree student majoring in Civil and Structural Engineering & General Business Management. I am interested in Science and I am person who like solving problem with one’s hand. That maybe explains why I like to build models and decorations for my room by myself during my free time.

The initial reason for me to choose HKUST SENG is because of the excellent academic achievements it has, especially in the School of Engineering. Chan Yik Hei, the son of star, have entered SENG of HKUST and I believed that I could meet some talented people during my studying if I can enter this university. At first, I was attracted by HKUST’s reputation and I tried to find out more about this university. I visited HKUST on their Information Day. I found that the people and students are very nice and friendly. They are patient to introduce and explain what programs they are in and share a lot with me their university lives. I think it is the main reason for me to choose HKUST because I believe that you can see a university through its students. 

I was first admitted to the School in year 1 and I had a lot of good memories in SENG. In year 1, the staff and different activities offered by SENG have guided me through my adaptation into the new university environment. In year 2, I joined the peer mentoring program. I met a lot of good friends and staff. They have given me many chances to learn and contribute to SENG. I am honored to be selected as one of the ten representatives to participate in the Intercultural Peer Learning Program held at SKKU, South Korea. In year 3, I became one of the organizing committees of a student-led project called LIPDUB@HKUST. It is a very good experience for me to learn, cooperate with others and build my confidence. SENG has given us a lot of support and the project has been successfully completed.

This year, I am not a peer mentor anymore, but I would still like to contribute to the SENG because I feel like I belong here. I appreciate the program, trainings and events offered by the ESA program. I believed that I could learn a lot here, such as interpersonal skills. And more importantly, I believe that only responsible, outgoing and people with other good attribute could become ESA and I could meet some other great ESAs here who share the same values and attributes as I do. I hope I can build a good friendship with them and learn from them in such a diversified environment.

I would like to contribute to HKUST and SENG because I hope more people, especially prospective students, to know more about the place where I learn and grow into a better person, and the place that nurtures competent engineers.