CW Chu College The Chinese University of Hong Kong eNewsletter

Mr YAN Kai Yin Newton and Mr ZHENG Sike from the 2015–16 cohort have shared with us their College life throughout these four years.

By Mr YAN Kai Yin Newton (System Engineering and Engineering Management)

Time flies; I have already spent four years in CW Chu College. If I had the chance to choose to affiliate with one college again, CWC would always be my first choice. The four-year hostel life is definitely a huge part of my undergraduate studies.

Living in CWC is a memorable experience. Back then, I was told that CWC is a boring college with no student activities. However, as a new college, there are actually plenty of opportunities for students to organise new events or participate in College activities.

The most unforgettable experience for me must be chairing the Organising Committee of the CWC Festival 2017. It was a big event to promote the College to other university members, and to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the College. Unlike other colleges, the CWC Festival was not a regular activity at that time. Therefore, I decided to grasp the precious opportunity to organise an unforgettable event for the College and my College mates. Organising such a big event was challenging but also rewarding. I made new friends and got to know more about my fellow College mates. The event was a great success. I was glad that everyone enjoyed it and got to know more about CWC. I was even more excited when I witnessed the success of the CWC Festival in the following year, as I knew that many junior students also put a lot of effort into organising the event, hoping that it would become a regular event in CWC.

I am very grateful to have been given so many chances to engage in College activities. As a graduating student who once organised the CWC Festival, I believe that I have already passed to the junior students the flame of contribution to the College. I wish all my College mates a fruitful life in CWC, and that you will create a new chapter for CWC.

By ZHENG Sike (Integrated BBA Programme)

Time has gone by so fast. I am leaving this lovely and vibrant College with mixed feelings. On the one hand, I am excited about the adventures ahead; on the other hand, I am already beginning to miss the College as I have so many wonderful memories here.

Sitting in the reading room of the College, I looked back on the past four years of my College life. Memories flashed back, most of which were about the friends I made here. When I first arrived at this College, I got acquainted with a group of students who also checked in at the College hostel on the same day, with whom we have accompanied one another since then. In the first year, perhaps we were not used to the new environment, and we often stuck together at weekends when we had time. We helped one another whoever was in need and gave one another birthday surprises which, though, could always be expected by the birthday stars.

I really appreciate the bonds among us. It was inevitable that when we got more senior, we got busier, striving for our own goals. Despite our lack of time to meet and play with one another every week, every one of us knew that the others would still stand by their sides. We understand that sometimes we must live our lives alone, but at least we no longer feel lonely because of the existence of the others.

One of the most indelible moments that I have had in the College is a floor gathering. Although I cannot recall precisely for which festival the gathering was held, I remember that the Resident Tutor who hosted the activity did a nice job and prepared a good fill of snacks. Invited by him, the floor mates we had met but had not yet acquainted with gathered at the pantry.

It was an early night, a good time and occasion for chatting. Among us were local, mainland, international and exchange students from different origins. We sat around a table. At first some of us were a bit embarrassed as they were not used to speaking in English, but our genial smiles eased them, and everyone became more carefree. We talked exuberantly on various topics, from 'where this snack is produced' to something more serious like our views on international issues and life ambitions. I still remember one of my fellows' aspiration was to be a conscientious lawyer, because he had seen so many injustices. The determination exuded from his words impressed us a lot. For my roommate, more than being a professional doctor, he had his own big picture to help those in need. Only then did I realise how I appreciated that and how much I could learn from those peers I met every day. The topics were so riveting and the atmosphere was so relaxing that none of us wanted to leave until very late at night. The gathering ended while our friendships continue. Every time when I recall that wonderful gathering, I feel fortunate to be one of the CWC members who can make life-long friends with our College mates.

Four years were gone in the blink of an eye. The memory of the days I live in CWC now seems treasure to me, like a bird fly across the sky again.