This summer, the Class of 2023 graduated 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.

YE Peijia 

High School: Foshan No.1 High School

Program: Biotechnology and Food Engineering

Offer:

Wageningen University and Research

University of Wisconsin

Georgetown University

University College London

Johns Hopkins University

New York University

Carnegie Mellon University

National University of Singapore

The University of Manchester

The University of Queensland

Embracing Meaningful Endeavors: Finding Joy in the Face of Hardship

Four years ago, Ye Peijia had a clear objective – to discover the most fitting learning techniques for her own personal growth while keeping open to the possibility of expanding her horizons abroad. The educational philosophy of Guangdong Technion – Israel Institute of Technology (GTIIT), as well as the Israeli spirit of “Chutzpah” that it embraced, captivated her. Moreover, Technion’s esteemed global reputation reassured her choice. She said in confidence, “I’ve heard that studying at GTIIT is demanding, and that’s exactly what excites me – the opportunity to learn true stuff!”

Tasting the wine brewed by the teachers together

Upon arriving at GTIIT, Ye faced her first major challenge: physics and engineering courses. She candidly admitted, “I was not good at integrated tests in  high school.” She once found herself at a loss regarding how to address this particular weakness. However, Silvia Behar Harpaz’s and Pinchas Shlomai’s courses became a turning point for her. “Silvia and Pini, as we fondly call them, are exceptional lecturers! Physics and engineering demand flawless precision, leaving no room for mistakes or oversights. They can explain complex things in a simple and vivid way, and guide us through each calculation and model with unwavering accuracy. Following their teaching methods has proven to be incredibly effective for me.” Additionally, Pini’s profound understanding of the industry, coupled with his knack for utilizing practical examples to aid student comprehension of formulas, has earned him immense popularity among BFE students.

“Engineering courses are challenging though, I enjoy them and feel a sense of accomplishment after understanding them. I’m someone who places a high value on meaning and purpose, so even if it means working hard, I am willing to put in the effort. Doing so brings me great joy!”

What GTIIT taught Ye is both theoretical and practical. “I really enjoy Molecular Biotechnology taught by Efrat Barak. I immediately applied the knowledge from this course during my internship at Beijing Genomics Institute, where I conducted bioinformatics analysis. Through discussions with peers, I discovered that most of their summer projects also incorporated the content from this course. This has proven to be very practical and relevant!”

Initiative: Where Changes Begin

Ye embodies the essence of "Chutzpah" deep within her. This inner drive pushes her to seize every opportunity and actively pursue true knowledge, accumulating the fruits of her proactive actions. Since high school, Ye has had a dream of medicine, and has always been attentive to medical-related projects while studying at BFE. Therefore, when she learned that Associate Professor Xu Xinpeng’s research team was conducting a project on directional migration of cells in response to stiffness gradients, Ye took it upon herself to recommend her own candidacy to Xu. This has not only provided her with invaluable experience but also granted her the opportunity to learn and work within a remarkable group dynamic. “Every week, there is a meeting organized by a doctoral student, where we discuss research insights based on literature, solve problems we encounter, and each person has their own independent tasks. The overall experience of learning and working within the group is excellent!”

Ye never lets any unfamiliar content in class slip through her mind. She often takes note of the parts she doesn't understand and books office hours to conquer each one. Professor Ka Yin Leung has impressed Peijia. Whenever she asked him a question, he would quickly and adeptly locate the corresponding knowledge in the textbook and explain it to her. "Prof. Leung is a teacher with great empathy. Although he is strict in teaching, he also approaches things from the student's perspective and uses his own experiences to help them," she said. Ye once admitted that she couldn't finish the required reading before class, and Prof. Leung demonstrated how to efficiently preview the material: first understanding the illustrations, then examining the labels on the diagrams, and finally skimming through the rest of the text. Since then, Ye has never felt intimidated by hefty textbooks again.

Ye’s academic journey was not without obstacles. Despite achieving good grades in the first two years, she struggled with time management in her third year, leading to underperformance in exams. "At that time, I felt like I might need to extend my graduation, and even if I didn't, I wouldn't be able to get into a good university." However, Ye did not stay discouraged for long. In order to change her situation, she sought help from senior students and professors. "I am grateful to my senior Yang Yuexin from the Class of 2018. After learning about my situation, she and her friends helped me analyze how I could improve my grades effectively and which university I could strive for in the application season." Ye slowly emerged from her anxiety and focused on solving the problems at hand. Her efforts paid off, as she received an offer from her dream school, Johns Hopkins University!

Ye and graduates of Class of 2018

Reflecting on this challenging experience, Ye believes, "Compared to a smooth journey, this experience actually made me more grounded. Although I cared about the outcome, caring alone didn't help. At that time, I had to put all my efforts into the process, and through that, I realized that when you take action, the impact of your emotions diminishes."

Dream It, Do It

Ye is adept at observing life and extracting valuable lessons from it, using them as nourishment for her intellectual development. She has served as a peer tutor, sharing her experiences with younger students. "A sophomore once told me that he had also struggled with failing a course, and my story helped him get through it. That's the true meaning of sharing - my knowledge doesn't just impact my own but can also assist others, maximizing efficiency!" Ye also organized study groups regularly and helped establish counseling stations in collaboration with the Career and Learning Center to provide assistance and support to new students. Her enthusiasm and efforts have earned her the "2020-2021 Outstanding Contribution to the Peer Tutor Program" award.

PT organized icebreaking activity

Ye chose to pursue further studies in the field of "bioinformatics" due to her realization of the high cost and low overall efficiency in the current field. The bioinformatics program at her dream school is recognized as one of the tops worldwide, and Ye is eagerly looking forward to being stimulated and challenged by working alongside exceptional peers.

Graduation Message: 

"From pain springs transformation, and from transformation, rewards arise." This is the phrase that inspired Ye the most during her low moments, and she wants to leave it as a parting message to motivate her younger peers. "Immaturity is nothing to be afraid of, what is truly fearful is losing the desire for growth and progress, both in heart and action. I believe that life has no limitations and no correct answers. There is no predetermined purpose that we must achieve. Life itself is the purpose. Dreaming it then doing it is the meaning contained. Living in every moment allows us to write the answers to our lives. So, let's aim for the stars with bold imagination to find the true self, while also staying grounded, honestly embracing the present, and taking practical actions. Living a life filled with challenges now, perhaps one day, without even realizing it, we will gradually live a life that is filled with answers. "

Text/Photos: Ye Peijia, GTIIT News & Public Affairs