Freshmen Year By Rishika
2019-2020
The moment I got my letter of acceptance into the undergrad-
When I was travelling back to Hong Kong, news of undiscov-
uate Engineering programme of The Chinese University of
ered virus spread like wild-fire. I never thought it would take
Hong Kong, I was elated. I knew that the journey from then
the face of a global pandemic as it is today, but it was still a
would not be an ordinary one. Being a girl with a head of big
matter of importance in the month of January. Weeks passed
dreams, I knew that my exposure to the academic and co-cur-
in the second semester as we entered the Chinese New Year
ricular activities at CUHK would help me realize the same.
holidays with many plans to explore the city, as we had not been able to do so earlier. However, the virus grew exponen-
As soon as I joined campus, I was taken aback by the vastness
tially by then and I came back home once again. It felt heart
of beauty the landscape captured. Truly, it was a feast for my
wrecking when I was sent home, again and could not join
eyes and for my parents too. There was something promising
and enjoy University life properly. However, there was an un-
in the aura of the campus, something that made me prepare to
derlying hope of things returning to normalcy when online
face my challenges from here onwards and face the big world
classes became the new norm and fighting the differences be-
out there. The professors and college students from different
tween timezones a cup of tea.
parts of the world that I started meeting subsequently kept making me realize of my potential to keep growing and de-
Both the situations imposed upon us unexpectedly was over-
livering quality work to the best of my abilities. I-lounge and
bearing. However, the University and my college — United
a couple of different places on campus became my hideouts
College took care that there were no problems being faced
to meet new people and make a circle of friends from differ-
by the international students. Classes were held online and
ent walks of life. Classes began after the orientation camp,
professors were helpful throughout the period of time. From
and though they seemed to be pretty fast initially, I learnt the
one-on-one meetings to addressing the classes collectively,
Hong Kong culture of being in top of your toes since then.
we were able to bond easily and understand our concepts too. My college made sure that our belongings were taken care
I had somehow learnt how to go with the flow and live by
of despite leaving our rooms in a mess and took care of my
myself when political conditions in Hong Kong turned out
mental and emotional well-being too. Both the circumstances
to be violent and we had to evacuate with our most import-
faced by me made me closer to the CUHK family. It certainly
ant belongings as campus was not safe anymore. It was over-
is home away from home. I fall short of words when I have
whelming for many of us as we had to leave immediately and
to express gratitude to the entire management and adminis-
were uncertain how things would be the coming semester.
tration team, who made our learning possible despite the un-
However, time acted as a balm and we were informed that
certainties and did not let the learning spirit die. This was the
the University would resume as per normalcy with stricter
most extraordinary and eventful year of my life and though I
arrangements for campus access. This boosted me up and I
am still uncertain when would I be going to Hong Kong next,
was looking forward to joining University again.
because of the pandemic, I would be willing to give my 100% in everything I do. The colleges and University is still taking measures to help us come back because of the strict laws in both the countries. However, hope is that flame that keeps everything ignited in the darkness of uncertainties. Hoping to come back to ‘Zhong Wen Da Xue’ soon.
Student Contribution
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