Vietnam alone, but it was also a very good
experience,” he reminisced.
Oliver fell in love with Asia in those six
months. “I immediately missed everything
about Asia after returning to Switzerland –
the people, the food, everything,” he said.
At that moment, he changed his plan from
studying in the United States to going back
to Asia.
“I thought about going to Japan, Singapore
or Hong Kong. I did not know Japanese, so
Japan was off the list. I had worked at the
Singapore office of the concrete company
before, and found Singapore to be very
similar to Switzerland. Hong Kong seemed
more fun and energetic to me. I only applied
to one university and that was HKUST,”
Oliver continued. And of course, he was
successfully admitted.
Experience is everything
During his time in Hong Kong, Oliver met
many students who believed that they must
take courses related to their future jobs.
“To them, grades are the most important
thing,” he said. Oliver, who studies
biotechnology, has a different perspective:
“I like biotechnology, and I’m very interested
in this area. I too want good grades, but I
won’t be working in the laboratory 24/7. To
me, university is not only about studying and
getting good grades. I cherish and enjoy
university life, communicating with people,
and establishing relationships.”
And Oliver has a far-reaching vision.
“Gaining as much experience as possible
while young can bring you wealth in the
future, far more than what you can earn
from a job as a young person,” he said.
Experience life outside the comfort zone
HKUST is known for being an international
institution, with high ratios of international
undergraduate students and exchange
students. Not many of them, however, come
from Switzerland. During Oliver’s three-year
stay at HKUST, despite the thousands of
international students who came to study at
the university, he has not met a single one
from Switzerland. “Most Swiss students
choose to attend universities in their home
country,” he said.
Oliver was born and raised in Switzerland,
and has never left the country until university.
“When I graduated from high school, I was
18 years old. I wanted to have a new and
different experience by leaving my comfort
zone,” Oliver said.
Boys in Switzerland must serve in the military
for six months after high school. Many
students choose to take a break or travel
during the remaining six months after the
service. They will then enter the university.
A majority would continue to study for
their master’s degree after completing their
undergraduate studies. “In Switzerland,
from the moment you start your university
studies, you will graduate five years later
after completing your master’s in a row,” he
said.
Five years seemed like a very long time for
the then 18-year-old Oliver. “I knew I wanted
to work abroad very early on, so I went to
work at the Vietnam office of the biggest
concrete company in the world,” he said.
Those six months was a major challenge
for Oliver, who had never been to Asia
before. “It was tough having to leave home
after high school graduation and work in
During his three years in Hong Kong, Oliver
has taken up the role of VP of the HKUST
rugby team. He is also a member of the
school’s Biochemistry Society. “It’s a lot of
fun!” he said. Aside from studying, rugby
training, and activities at Biochemistry
Society, Oliver is also learning Mandarin.
What’s more, he is on his way to becoming
an entrepreneur with his design of a toy for
stroke patients. In designing this toy, Oliver
and his classmates visited a rehabilitation
center and spoke with stroke patients to
understand their needs. They also spent a
lot of time talking to therapists and trainers.
The function of the toy is very simple – it
trains patients’ muscles and flexibilities,
helping them move their upper limb.
Although it sounds simple, there were many
to considerate, such as materials, size and
functionality, Oliver said. His professor was
impressed by the toy, encouraging Oliver
and his team to finish the prototype.
Enjoying the moment
While Oliver has a very busy life at the
moment, he is very clear of his goal and is
working hard to equip himself every day.
“Cherish the moment and enjoy life!” is his
motto.
Oliver was once like other students who
focused on getting good grades and put
a lot of pressure on himself. Now he has
learned to relax. “HKUST has a beautiful
campus. After a busy day, I like to sit at the
Mushroom (HKUST’s sea view landmark),
soaked in the sea view, hearing the birds
sing, and enjoying the breeze,” said Oliver.
He hopes students can learn to enjoy the
beautiful campus that HKUST has to offer.
Cherish the moment
011
2015
