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A Day in My Life as an Exchange Student at CUHKSZ
One thing I really appreciated during my exchange at Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen was the balance between academics, freedom, and everyday life. Compared to the fast-paced and highly packed schedule I usually experience back home in NTU, life here felt more flexible, but at the same time, still productive and fulfilling. Over time, I slowly built a rhythm and routine for myself in Shenzhen, and honestly, that routine became one of the things I enjoyed most about

Jia Le
May 94 min read
An Introduction to CUHKSZ: Things Every Exchange Student Should Know
Studying at Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen was one of the most unique university experiences I’ve had. The university is modern, well-developed, international, and surprisingly convenient once you understand how everything works. That said, when most exchange students first arrive, the campus can feel very confusing. The terminology is different, the shuttle buses seem complicated at first, and even understanding where your class is located can become an adventure

Jia Le
May 95 min read
A Student’s Guide to Studying at CUHKSZ: Things I Wish I Knew Earlier
Studying at Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen was an amazing experience for me, academically, socially, and personally. But like many exchange students heading to China for the first time, there were also many small administrative and lifestyle things that I only learned after arriving. Some of these are not immediately obvious, yet they can significantly affect how smooth your exchange experience becomes. So if you’re heading to CUHKSZ, especially from Singapore or o

Jia Le
May 95 min read
A Student’s Guide to Exploring Shenzhen: Places Worth Visiting
When I first arrived in Shenzhen for exchange at Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, I expected a modern city with good infrastructure and technology. What I didn’t expect was how much personality the city would have. Shenzhen is fast-paced, efficient, yet at the same time, there are pockets of culture, nature, and everyday life that make the city feel surprisingly comfortable to live in. Over the months, I explored different parts of the city with friends, classmates,

Jia Le
May 98 min read
More Than an Exchange: My Time at CUHKSZ
When people talk about exchange, they often describe it as a period of travel, fun, and exploration. While that’s true, my experience at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (CUHKSZ) became something more. It was a period of reflection, reconnection, and unexpected direction. It wasn’t just about where I went, but who I became during that time. Academics: Freedom to Explore I took the maximum load of six modules, which included two NTU core modules (Principles of Man

Jia Le
May 65 min read
Reviving a Forgotten Club: My Journey with NTU Sailing
When I entered NTU, I carried with me more than just academic aspirations. Having done sea sports and competitive sailing since I was seven, the sea was a big part of who I was. But at sixteen, I put competitive sailing aside to focus on my O-Levels. Even though I continued sailing casually, I never returned to the sport at the same intensity. By the time I was serving my national service, I knew I wanted to reignite that passion, and NTU Sailing seemed like the perfect place

Jia Le
May 23 min read
Managing Failure and Layoffs: A Lesson in Ownership and Perspective
Failure doesn’t always come in the form we expect. Sometimes, it comes quietly, abruptly — and without warning. During one of my internships, I was terminated. The reason given was colleague dissatisfaction — specifically, that the way I carried myself came across as disrespectful, or that I seemed unwilling to do certain tasks and instead passed them to others. It was a huge blow. Up until that moment, I genuinely believed I was doing well. I had no conflicts with colleagues

Jia Le
May 23 min read
Designing Volunteer Programs Retaining Students: Lessons from Project MERCI
In today’s environment, where students often view volunteering as a checklist item to fulfill school requirements rather than a source of genuine growth, nonprofits face a significant challenge. Programs that depend on student volunteers can quickly lose momentum if they don’t appeal to young people’s schedules, interests, and sense of purpose. For nonprofit organizations to thrive, it’s not enough to think only about the beneficiaries (seniors, children, or other groups). Th

Jia Le
May 24 min read
Rethinking Success: How I Balanced Leadership, Business, and Studies
During an interview, I was asked a question that people wonder when they hear about my commitments — Vice-President of NTU Sailing, President of NBS Inflammaré, Advisor of Project MERCI, Founder of Inyak Paddlers, and Co-Founder of ShutterSync — all while being a full-time student: “How do you cope with your studies?” My honest answer surprised them. Grades were never my priority. But before you jump to conclusions, let me clarify: this doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy or value ac

Jia Le
May 22 min read
Beyond the Checklist: Redefining Youth Volunteerism
*Disclaimer: The blog written is a journal of my thoughts, and is not reflective of Blossom World Society, neither am I a full-time staff of a Non-Profit Organization. I am only an volunteer. Volunteering has always been close to my heart, but over the years, I’ve noticed a concerning pattern among youths. Many see volunteering as a checklist item — something they do to clock the community service hours required by schools, rather than a meaningful commitment to serving other

Jia Le
May 23 min read
From Passion to Business: Lessons for Student Entrepreneurs
In this blog, discover how I turned my love for paddling into Inyak Paddlers, and why students should start small, build on their interests, and learn through experience. Practical tips for aspiring entrepreneurs with little capital. Turning Passion into Enterprise: My Journey with Inyak Paddlers When I first picked up a paddle, I never imagined it would spark not just a love for the sport, but also the foundation of a business. For me, paddling started as a passion — a way t

Jia Le
May 23 min read
Why the House System in NBS is the Hidden Backbone of Student Life
Discover why the unique house system at Nanyang Business School is vital to student life. Learn how NBS Inflammaré provides a lasting pillar of support, friendships, and career-driven opportunities beyond changing modules. When people think about university life, they often picture fleeting friendships built around group projects, tutorials, and modules that change every semester. At Nanyang Business School (NBS), this is even more true — with classmates shifting every few mo

Jia Le
May 22 min read


My Journey in NTU: Lessons in Leadership, Growth, and Community
Discover my personal journey at NTU — from leading an orientation, to completing an internship and even an exchange, to co-founding a company! Learn the key lessons I gained in leadership, teamwork, and personal growth, and advice I’d share with juniors starting their own journey. Finding Growth in Every Role: My Journey at NTU When I first stepped into NTU, I knew I din't just want to get through university, I wanted to grow. Not just in academics, but in the way I lead, col

Jia Le
May 23 min read
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