This summer, the Class of 2023 will graduate from Guangdong Technion – Israel Institute of Technology (GTIIT). They have big dreams and thirst for knowledge; they keep their eyes on the stars, but feet on the ground. The young "Aspirants" grow from GTIIT to a wider world. Let's follow the interview series of the graduates from the Class of 2023 to know their stories.

In the first year in GTIIT, he met difficulties and even academic crisis; in the last year in GTIIT, he received offers from prestigious universities including Top 30 ones. How did he manage to change and grow in GTIIT? Let's meet Liu Zhaoyu from GTIIT MSE Program and share his inspiring story.

Face Myself, Survive Tough Times

After college entrance exam, emerging Sino-foreign cooperated universities such as GTIIT attracted Liu's attention. He regarded GTIIT as an international high-quality platform, exposing students to global top education and resources, which is the best way to further overseas study.

Liu could not adjust to the education system when first entering GTIIT. Problems including how to arrange the time, how to prepare the course, how to cooperate with others and many aspects troubled Liu. He was too nervous to search for solutions then and even met crisis on his academic performance.

Luckily, Liu went through his tough time with the help of family and friends. "My family was very concerned with my problems and tried to solve them with me. My roommates also gave hands to me, giving me many advice and help. With the help of them, I gradually regained the confidence and power to fight. It was the accompany of them that encouraged me to move forward," Liu said.

Liu and His Mother

To break through the dilemma, Liu believed that the most important thing is to find the root of the problem and identify his weakness. "Ignorance will only lead to a worsening of the situation and even irreversible result. Take the courage to make change and keep trying, the problem will be solved," Liu shared his thoughts.

After constant reflection and adjustment, he gradually overcame academic difficulties and joined the scientific research group the same as other GTIIT students. Under the guidance of the professor, he and other team members successfully carried on the experiment and published an paper. This research experience had trained him with ability in teamwork and laid a good foundation for the future study and research.

Liu (Second from the Left) in the Research Group

Keep Running in the Right Direction

Liu didn't plan to pursue further study at the first years, but he became enjoying in scientific research under the guidance of many excellent professors and scholars. He found his interested direction and began to think about what kind of "story" he would write after his undergraduate study.

After graduating from GTIIT, Liu applied for internships in the field of materials science in different companies. As an intern, he worked actively with the senior workmates and sought for more participation in the project. Before he left, the project had achieved considerable success.

When it comes to choosing further study program, Liu said that he cared more about the achievements and resources that the programs and the departments could provide to the students, rather than only rankings or titles of them. He noticed that the first priority is to ensure the academic performance, and try to enjoy resources from GTIIT and build connections with the professors as much as possible.

The application result surprised Liu very much. He got admission letters from University of Manchester, University of Birmingham, Newcastle University and Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University.

British universities that Liu applied for have high requirements for candidates' undergraduate study and standardized test scores. For example, the recommended GPA to apply for the University of Manchester, one of the Top 30 university, is 85 or above, but Liu successfully received the offer with an average GPA of 75. Both his hard work and the Technion's high reputation contributed to the success.

Although Liu wasn't the best in academic performance, he published a research paper with the research group members and actively participated in the internships of the relevant industry , which have helped him won the recognition from these top research universities. "In fact, I was not confident at the beginning, but I believed that failure won't come until you choose to give up. Only when you try your best, you will not regret," Liu said.

Messages to the GTers

Life is a marathon, not a sprint. Don't let the burst wear down your enthusiasm for life. Keep planning and open-minded, you will find that every problem has a solution, and it's up to you to choose.

Text/Photos: GTIIT News & Public Affairs, Liu Zhaoyu