Chloe

Back in high school, engineering was the university subject that most physics-chemistry-mathematics higher-level kids applied to, which seemed to be the natural progression for the next stage of life, like metamorphosis is to caterpillars. Never mind that we had no idea what engineers actually did, we just knew it was the distinctive path for us, and a convenient combination of our favorite high school subjects. The remaining thing to do was to find a branch we want to specialize in.

I discovered my passion in sustainability and was particularly concerned about plastic pollution and climate change, so I chose environmental engineering. After high school, I spent two fruitful years at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore studying the very subject. Later, I came to realize that chemical engineering would better equip me with the skills to make an impact in the field of sustainability. Therefore, I decided to return home and study at HKUST, the only university in Hong Kong to offer chemical engineering programs.

Life is rarely as you expect, and my journey with chemical engineering here was the same. On a whim, I picked the Chemical and Environmental Engineering program, instead of pure chemical engineering. I learned more about processes and optimization than chemical pathways and materials than expected. As a transfer student, I met and befriended more people than I could imagine. Since joining HKUST, I found myself enjoying more new experiences here than I thought I could - pursuing a Humanities Minor, becoming an Engineering Student Ambassador, and working as an intern at the Communications & External Affairs team of the Office of the Dean of Engineering.

Four years since my graduation from high school, I've come to realize that engineering was indeed the right decision for me, and furthermore, a tool for me to try to make the world a better place. I’m grateful that by a combination of pure luck and chance, I found my place here, at HKUST, surrounded by uniquely like-minded people from all walks of life.