HKUST Alumni HOME AND AWAY 10 11 California dreaming The Northern California Alumni Chapter welcomes you to join fellow HKUST alumni. Married couple Jack Lai (President/1999 BEng(CPEG)) and Carey Lai (Committee Member/2002 MA(CHIN)) are here to tell you more. Tell us about how you met? Carey: Jack and I met through a friend from HKUST in an unexpected way. I had asked my friend to help me "nd someone who could pick up an electronic dictionary, and that person turned out to be Jack! We would also like to hear more about your HKUST experience? Jack: One of my favorite moments was graduation day, especially because my parents were so happy and proud to see me complete my undergraduate degree. Carey: My best moments at HKUST often revolved around the diverse and delicious food options on campus! I’m a big foodie, so exploring the di#erent canteens was a real treat. How are Hong Kong and California di"erent in lifestyle? Carey: Hong Kong’s fast-paced culture emphasizes e%ciency and a strong focus on earning and career advancement, while California o#ers a more relaxed environment with room for exploring diverse paths and personal passions. Jack: California is very diverse, with people from various cultures coming to live and work here. In the Bay Area, you frequently see and interact with people from di#erent countries. By contrast, life in Hong Kong is more fastpaced, with people generally working harder each day. In California, we enjoy a more balanced work-life lifestyle. Jack Lai Carey Lai Learn more about the Chapter and get involved here: The Northern California Alumni Chapter is ten years old now! Congratulations! Tell us about the history and its evolution? Carey: This all began as part of my personal journey. When I "rst moved to the US, I didn’t have family or friends here, and the feeling of isolation was overwhelming, "nally we formed a community speci"cally for HKUST graduates. Jack: Our mission is to empower the overseas HKUST community by connecting HKUST alumni, promoting friendship, and providing continuing education, personal and professional development opportunities. Giving back to the community is also an important part of our mission. You both have active careers, is it hard to balance? Carey: I’m focused on building my startup, Yohocare, which aims to help people stay healthy and sharp through a personalized app. Balancing an active career with my roles and responsibilities in the Chapter requires solid time management. Jack: I am an Aerospace Engineer at NASA, conducting research and participating in software development within the Aviation Systems Division. It was much harder to balance the roles and responsibilities at the beginning, especially during the formation of the Chapter. There were many meetings to attend and tasks to complete. Fortunately, after several years, we gained experience and became more familiar with the process. Anything else to add? Carey: I’m incredibly grateful for the support and connections within the HKUST community, both in the Bay Area and globally. I’m always open to connecting with more alumni, whether it’s to exchange ideas, explore potential collaborations, or simply share our journeys. Jack: I want to sincerely thank everyone in the Executive Committee and Development & Alumni O%ce for the tremendous support they have given us over the years. If any alumni in the Bay Area are interested in joining us and strengthening this vibrant network, please feel free to reach out!
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