The Mechanical Engineer and the Value of Safe Arrivals

Johnny hails from Taiwan and is currently a third-year mechanical engineering student at HKU. His journey has been marked by an adventurous spirit, as his family frequently relocated due to his father’s work. He recalls, “Growing up in different countries exposed me to various cultures and people. It honed my social skills and gave me a mature perspective, which sometimes makes me feel older than my peers.”

Johnny credits his parents for instilling in him the value of open communication, decision-making and taking responsibility for your choices – pointers that have become guiding principles in his life. He remembers their counsel: “Even if people don’t recognise what you do, there’s no harm in trying.”

Despite his travels, Johnny’s heart remains firmly rooted in his hometown of Kaohsiung City. “It holds a special place in my memories, filled with the comfort of familiar sights, sounds, and tastes,” he says, adding, “While I cherish the experience of being in other places, nothing quite compares to the feeling of returning home.”

Johnny’s interest in hardware, the process of creating and building things, and a fascination for aircraft, led him to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. He strategically chose Hong Kong as his educational destination, given its thriving engineering industry, especially in sectors like aviation. The cultural similarities to Taiwan also played a significant role in his decision.

Looking ahead, Johnny envisions himself in the aircraft engineering sector as a senior engineer, focussing on planes and making air travel even safer, saying, “Having constantly been travelling in my own life, I aspire to be the one who ensures safe journeys of passengers. Behind every flight are families eagerly anticipating their loved ones on the other side of the world. I want to contribute to their reunions and bring them closer, one flight at a time.”

As he contemplates his future, Johnny is excited about a semester-long exchange programme in Canada. The prospect of experiencing a new culture, extreme cold, and a different academic environment invigorates him. He’s confident in his ability to adapt to new surroundings, a skill honed through years of moving and meeting new people. In five years, Johnny sees himself pursuing a Master’s degree, possibly in the US or UK. He believes in lifelong learning and aims to continuously expand his knowledge and expertise.

Johnny’s advice to prospective students is making decisions based on personal interests and goals, rather than succumbing to external pressures. He also stresses the value of self-reflection, noting, “There’s a lot of wisdom gained from looking back on your experiences.”