CW Chu College The Chinese University of Hong Kong eNewsletter

Ms Vania WAHYUDI (Year 4, Food and Nutritional Sciences), Ms CHOI On Toi Sonja (Year 4, Physics), Mr TSENG Ren Hong (Year 4, Insurance, Financial and Actuarial Analysis) and Ms HO Fung Wan Kitty (Year 6, Medicine) have shared with us their reflections on College life throughout their undergraduate studies.

By Ms Vania WAHYUDI (Year 4, Food and Nutritional Sciences)

I would probably be a liar if I said that the past four years of my university life have been very easy and smooth sailing. In fact, I had encountered a lot of turmoil that I was not prepared for. When I was in year one, there was a strong and huge catastrophic tropical cyclone, called Typhoon Mangkhut, one of the strongest within that year and even a few decades; social and political unrest engulfed my second year; then a pandemic hit and disrupted my third and fourth years of study. Despite all of the unfortunate circumstances, CW Chu College has provided me with steadfast support that calmed my worries.

During my four years of stay at the College, I have learned to be more active and inclusive. I was just a shy girl when I first came here, quite reluctant to join others in activities because most students speak non-English language in their casual conversations. So I was afraid they would be uncomfortable with my presence. I had a local friend who offered to translate, but I was sorry for bothering him a lot. Also, I often still did not get the jokes of others at the right timing. I was discouraged to engage in the community, until one College alumnus, also an international student, suggested to me to just listen. It does not really matter if I do not understand the conversations, because the most important thing is my willingness to mingle and build the courage to ask and just join the talk.

Then, I found myself becoming a member of the Student Honour Code Committee (SHCC), joining Toastmasters and workshops, floor gatherings, and many other celebrations in the College. Being an SHCC member was one of the exhilarating experiences for me because that was the first time I got to connect with College staff and most importantly, be able to facilitate the transition period of freshmen to our College. I also appreciate all the smiles and warm greetings whenever I met college mates, staff, and even janitors. I really learn a lot from all College teachers and resident tutors who have always given me insightful and encouraging feedback. All my friends and roommates from various backgrounds all around the globe have shaped me to become a more open-minded and mature woman, such that I could see challenges not as obstacles but as stepping stones. I consider myself very fortunate to be able to share these past four years in this community.

To conclude, I sincerely hope that my fellow College mates could also feel the warmth and comfort that I have whenever I return to our College. Because CW Chu College is not only a place where we stay for four years, but also a family that witnesses our joys and sorrows, waves of laughter and tears throughout this university life.

By Ms CHOI On To Sonja (Year 4, Physics)

Considering that Covid has disrupted my college life for more than two years, I thought I would have few things to share here. However, as I thought harder, more and more interesting scenarios flashed back.

I still remember the surprise of receiving a 3000–word feedback from Prof YOUNG for my 2000–word GECW1010 essay draft and how much effort I made to suppress my trembling voice when I was being the MC of the high table dinner. I cannot forget the night when my roommate and I went to Mong Man Wai Building with great excitement to observe the supermoon, just to be greeted with a thick layer of clouds over our heads.

I really enjoyed the College's night talks and workshops. From western calligraphy to Chinese seal engraving, there is always a new skill for me to pick up. I still remember how I learned to use bamboo sticks to perform fortune telling from the I Ching (易經) class and practiced it for the whole night with my roommate (yes, a very scientific activity for a physics student).

My short stay in the college has granted me precious relationships that will last a lifetime. My closest friends in the college are all non-locals (at the time of writing, I received a lovely text message from one of them). There will be an inevitable parting with them after graduation, which teaches me that maintaining friendships requires effort. My astrophysics research began with a chat with Prof Tjonnie LI on the College's Dutch cultural night (and thanks to Tjonnie's recommendation, I tasted the ‘very delicious’ licorice candy that night). He opened me up to many opportunities that greatly impacted my academic path. Prof YOUNG has been very supportive of my studies and career decisions. Enlightening chats with him often provide me with much food for thought for science and research. I believe these are the intimacy that CW Chu people develop and cherish, and I feel very blessed to experience it.

I will be lying if I say I enjoy every moment of staying in the college. There were times when I found working on my college FYP tiring, and there were times that I had stupid fights with my dormmates… These experiences made me grow and added a unique flavor to my College life.

To those I had lovely chats with in the corridor, to those who cheered me up in the elevator when I looked lifeless after a bad day, and to everyone I met in the college: it has been a splendid time being with you and thank you very much.

By Mr TSENG Ren Hong (Year 4, Insurance, Financial and Actuarial Analysis)

Hello, I am Ryan, a CWC graduating student. In the past four years, CW Chu College brought lots of valuable memories to me. As a non-local student coming from Taiwan, I felt that all the other local students in CWC were so friendly. There were many activities helping students to build friendships. During the Orientation Camp, the group I joined consisted of many international and local students, which helped me to get involved with the other people quickly. In my first year of CWC, I also joined the College's service team. The service team comprised both local and non-local students. We held many activities during the whole year, and the most memorable was the service camp in the summer vacation. We really had fun with the high-school students together in CWC. My closest friends in CWC are mostly from the O' Camp group and the service team.

To get more involved in the College, I attended many activities held by the Residents’ Association or the College Office, including floor gathering, sports experience day, CWC Festival, etc. All the activities were very meaningful and gave me a chance to try some new things.

In addition to the College mates, the staff in CW Chu College was also very friendly to me. They always helped us handle many things, especially during the pandemic. At that time, I stayed in Taiwan for about one and a half years. The College staff helped me to store all my personal belongings safely in the College, because I could not check out and clean up the room all by myself.

To me, life in the College is very memorable, because the total number of students is not so large, so the students are relatively close to one another. Besides, the teachers and staff care much about the students. I will never regret my decision of joining CW Chu College and I will cherish all the friendships I received here.

By Ms HO Fung Wan Kitty (Year 6, Medicine)

Do you still remember when the famous movie La La Land premiered on screen? It was 2016! Already six years ago!

Can you believe that? Seriously, I cannot. I cannot believe that I am already so far away from that almighty sweet 18. I cannot believe it has already been more than half a decade when I first got amazed by the beautiful CWC building (which I still love). But what is worst is I cannot accept I am no longer a student of CUHK and CWC, because my six years here could not have been better.

To be honest, even with the title of being a college, CWC is not a place where you would be taught a lot of book stuff, but a place where you will gain so much that is not covered in examinations. From being a Residents’ Association committee member, being on the organising committee of the annual O' camp, representing the college in various inter-collegiate sports competitions, to being an interviewer of the new cohort of freshmen, that interpersonal skills, organising ability, and most importantly, those invaluable long-lasting friendships are what I got from the years in CWC. When I joined my friend to be part of the committee member for the first CWC Festival in 2017, we had to build everything from scratch. We had no senior members to consult, no history to refer to, and obviously no big money to lavish. All that we had was the unlimited support from our CWC peers that made so many impossible things possible. And because of them, I can proudly say now, we pulled off a successful and memorable event at the piazza that week. Even though five years have elapsed, when I may not be able to recall the lectures I have had, I can still remember all those all-nighters, those failures, frustrations and arguments. They may not be pleasant back then, but with the lessons I have learned, and the friendships that they resulted in, they all became precious memories of mine, and I will cherish them forever.

As a graduating student, who never was a high achiever nor graduated with flying colours, I am in no position to give advice to the freshmen on how to study well. But I would definitely recommend enjoying university life to its best. You can still work after your retirement, but your youth does not last forever. Play when you still can, as you only live once.

Lastly, my heartfelt gratitude to everyone I have met and to all those who have helped me through all the ups and downs. Without you guys, I will not be who I am today. So once again, thank you my friends, and CWC.