Looking back three years, entering university as a freshman was a completely overwhelming experience, and I felt entirely lost navigating my academic journey. Having Kiki as my Academic Affairs & Advising Counsellor (AAAC) made all the difference. She is exceptionally friendly, approachable, and always be willing to address my concerns with clarity and patience. Beyond answering my questions, Kiki also generously shared practical advice on major selection, helping me choose a path I genuinely love to pursue. She also provided me with deeper insights into exchange institutions when I was planning to go for an outbound exchange, making it much easier to find the right fit for my exchange application. Her ongoing guidance gave me confidence in my academic decisions and made my transition into university life seamless. I am so grateful to have Kiki as my AAAC who has made my time at HKUST much more fruitful and helped set a stronger foundation for my future career path.

Joining HKUST SBM has been such a wonderful experience, and much of that is thanks to Ms. Fiona Wong. Whenever I had a question regarding classes or major requirements or wanted to strategize my next steps at HKUST and beyond, she was amazing to talk. Ms. Fiona Wong was always available for a conversation and willing to share her own insight, but more importantly, she guided me toward making decisions that were best for me. Additionally, many exchange students and I recognize the level of care and attention put into events planned by the SBM exchange and advisor teams to make integrating into HKUST, making friends, and getting to know Hong Kong not just seamless, but also fun and adventurous!

I was really lost in Year 3, as I did not have much internship experience and lacked a clear understanding of the job market. That was when I met Mr. David Boyd-Thomas who works as an SBM Communication Tutor at the Karen Lee Student Mentoring Center. David first started by understanding my goals and strengths, then helped me tailor my CV and cover letters, which built a strong foundation for my job search. From time to time, I would email David to catch up, seek interview tips, and ask for advice on how to handle offers professionally. I am truly grateful to have had David with me throughout this challenging journey and for his support in helping me enter an industry that I genuinely enjoy.

A few months ago, I felt lost using ChatGPT to amend my CV and practicing interview skills in front of a mirror - only to receive numerous rejections. I desperately wanted to escape from this darkness, so I sought advising from Mr. David Boyd-Thomas, an English Communicaton Tutor. He provided me with guidance on crafting a CV and preparing for interviews that aligned with current Finance job market. Thanks to his assistance, I managed to secure an internship and emerged from what was the darkest period of my life.

With my advisor's professional and soulful support, I found it easy to immerse myself in university life! She has been doing her best to help me out with academics, personal development, and kindly advised me on how to improve my experience here at UST. With her support, I have made my way to the IIM - my dream major!

Not only did Forrest give me a lot of useful advice regarding different aspects of my U life, such as going exchange and setting academic goals, he also is my friend who encouraged me when I was down. We had many great times together. I’m grateful to have such a responsible and helpful advisor in HKUST!