A Quest for Cultural Connections and Academic Excellence

Boao is in his final year at HKU majoring in quantitative finance, and was born and raised in China. His childhood was shaped by his immersion in the Chinese traditional family and education system during his formative years. This laid the foundation for a lifelong interest in understanding different cultures and exploring places beyond his hometown. In his bedroom there is a huge map, which was a constant reminder of how diverse and vast the world was. Having this map in his bedroom gave him a different perspective of these countries as opposed to those who learn about other countries through the media. He says: “My first impression of these countries wasn’t whether or not this country has an ongoing war with China or if it’s a poor country, but rather the flags and shapes of the countries made me want to know more about them.”

Growing up, this desire to travel the world only intensified after his visit to Japan. It was his first trip outside China and he clearly remembers how he felt Japan was so similar yet so different from Chinese culture. “I really enjoyed talking to people from different backgrounds, students from around the world came together for the competition and we had some insightful and meaningful conversations.” This experience further ignited his passion to travel and opened his eyes to the wonders the world has to offer. Subsequently, Boao ventured outside of Asia, visiting Sweden and later the United States to participate in a competition.

During his time in HKU, Boao was given opportunities to spend time abroad. He went to Canada for exchange and also went on a field trip to Zurich under the HKU quantitative finance program. He came across people with different perspectives and engaged in meaningful cultural exchanges. These excursions to different countries have influenced his outlook on life. Which was also a major factor contributing to him choosing HKU out of all the universities to which he applied. He enjoys interacting with the diverse student body in classes and school halls. “Talking to people from different cultural backgrounds is like unlocking a treasure trove of untold stories and experiences, you never know what will come out. People often have false biases towards people of other countries. But more often than not we are uniquely similar rather than different.” These experiences have fostered a deep sense of interest and curiosity in connecting with people from all walks of life.

Apart from his passion for travelling, Boao has shown unwavering dedication to his academic studies. As he approaches the end of his undergraduate years, Boao still hopes to pursue a PhD degree, which is a testament to his thirst for knowledge and desire to contribute in his chosen field. He aspires to become a researcher or lecturer further down the line, which would allow him to continue exploring different places and countries while working.

Speaking of his time in HKU, Boao speaks fondly of the memories made in his hall, Lap-Chee College, where he has lived for two years. He speaks about the contributions he has made to highlight the accomplishments of his hall alumni. “I collaborated with other people to change the function of our Instagram. Previously, students would come in, live for a while and go. However, we interviewed some of the accomplished former hallmates. By sharing their stories, we were able to make them permanent legacies.” These stories of individuals were no longer fleeting and forgotten but were permanently embedded into the history of Lap-Chee College and what it represents.

Looking into the future, Boao doesn’t want to be restricted by borders and wants the freedom to explore the world. He believes that having the freedom to choose his own possibilities in life is of utmost importance, a paved path is not one that he would want to take, and facing some challenges along the way makes the journey of life more meaningful. In line with his philosophy, Boao finds inspiration in the quote: “The sky knows no limits. But it is the mind that truly holds the power of boundlessness.” This quote resonates with him as it reinforces the belief that life offers limitless opportunities, and by transcending one’s perceived limitations we will be able to embrace a world of possibilities.