29 July 2026 | Guangzhou

With August just around the corner, my house is currently a chaotic landscape of half-packed suitcases, stacks of research papers, and the undeniable hum of anticipation. In a few hours, I will be boarding a flight to Singapore to finally begin my PhD at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.

But before I immerse myself entirely in the intense world of doctoral research, I wanted to take some moments to pause, step back, and reflect on a deeply special few weeks. Before departing, I embarked on a bit of a whirlwind pre-departure catch-up tour, criss-crossing between Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Zhuhai to catch up with the incredible mentors, professors, friends and classmates/colleagues who have shaped my academic path and experienced ups and downs together.

Here is a look back at those invaluable encounters that have prepared me for this next chapter.

To the Mentors Who Guided My Path

An academic journey is rarely walked alone; it is paved by the patience, rigour, and generosity of those who teach us how to think. Gathering with my former professors over the last few weeks has been a deeply grounding experience.

• Professor Simon Xiaobin Zhao: Meeting Professor Zhao and his family in Zhuhai was, as always, an intellectual masterclass with numerous interesting story. Over a cup of tea during meal, we discussed the sheer stamina required for doctoral study, especially the importance of health. His wisdom has a brilliant way of turning my pre-departure anxieties into genuine academic excitement.
• Dr Ashura Lam: Meeting with Dr Lam in Hong Kong and Guangzhou brought back fond memories of my formative undergraduate years. Her early guidance was instrumental in helping me shape my professionalism and integrity, and her blessing as I prepare to head overseas meant the world to me.
• Associate Professor Sharon Shuang WU: Back in Guangzhou, catching up with Professor Wu provided the perfect boost of inspiration. Her sharp academic insight, coupled with her incredibly warm encouragement over years, reminded me of the standard of research I want to hold myself to in Singapore.

“A PhD is a marathon, not a sprint. Carry your curiosity with you, and never forget the questions that made you want to start in the first place.“

The Friends and Peers Who Kept Me Grounded

While professors provide the map, it is your peers and friends who keep you sane on the journey.

The CUHK Family

My farewell tour naturally brought me back to my academic home-away-from-home in Hong Kong to see my incredible CUHK colleagues, Boya, Yiyang, Huayu, Zihe, Shiyuan, Chenglin, and Dr Li Qin.

Gathering with my fellow PhD and MPhil researchers was a poignant reminder of our shared journey. Together, we have faced countless challenges and cherished memories, providing each other with valuable feedback on our drafts and navigating the subtle, yet persistent pressures of postgraduate life side by side.

• We swapped survival tips for moving to a new institution.
• We promised to keep collaborating across borders, bridging our research networks.
• We toasted to the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.

Classmates at BNBU

Meeting up with Mr Yu LIU and Mr Jiawei CHEN in Shenzhen and Guangzhou was a wonderful reminder of the bonds forged during our undergraduate studies. Over a fantastic dinner, we did a bit of everything: laughed about our undergraduate misadventures, debated current affairs, and shared our respective hopes for the future.

The Road to Singapore

Travelling through these familiar cities over the past month has made me realise how incredibly fortunate I am. My academic map is not just a collection of institutions; it is a vibrant web of brilliant minds, kind hearts, and deep friendships spread across the region.

As I pack the final few things into my bags, I realise I am not starting from scratch in Singapore. I am carrying the wisdom of my professors, the laughter of my friends, and the shared ambition of my CUHK peers with me. I am also so lucky to have many friends are now in Singapore, so more things to be discovered, and more shared memories to be created.

Singapore, I am ready. Let’s see what these next few years have in store.