Pathway

Swimming

Swimming has been an important part of my life since the age of six. Through years of consistent training and competition, I developed discipline, perseverance, and the ability to remain focused under pressure.

During my years in Hong Kong, I competed in multiple swimming competitions and earned recognition in the 12-year-old group swimming championships. I also received several certificates and awards through Pacific Swimming Club for strong performances in freestyle, breaststroke, and relay events.

One of my most memorable experiences was competing in the 2019 New World Harbour Race, where I became a finalist at the age of 13. These experiences strengthened both my physical endurance and mental resilience while teaching me the importance of long-term commitment and teamwork.

More than ten years of swimming training have embedded the value of persistence deeply into my character. Swimming continues to inspire me to push my limits and maintain balance between physical activity and academic achievement.

Tennis

I began training in tennis at the age of seven and have continued to develop my skills through years of dedicated practice and international training experiences.

Over the years, I participated in multiple summer tennis programs, including training at UC Irvine in 2015 and advanced summer tennis training in Leysin, Switzerland, in 2017. These opportunities allowed me to work with experienced coaches while training alongside students from different backgrounds and cultures.

Tennis has taught me valuable lessons in patience, consistency, and self-discipline. Through continuous practice and competition, I learned how to stay composed during challenging moments and maintain focus under pressure.

In recognition of my dedication both on and off the court, I received the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Gold Award in 2023. Part of this recognition reflected my commitment to tennis training as well as my volunteer work helping coach and mentor younger players in my spare time.

Achievement: 2023 Outward Bound NZ Mind Body Soul Course

I participated independently in the Summer 2023 Mind, Body & Soul Outward Bound Course that spanned 21 days. Among the more than 100 high school students, aged 16-18, I was the sole Asian participant.

“Outward Bound is recognized as one of New Zealand’s most challenging experiences. To complete a course is to have shown determination, courage, teamwork and service to the community. It is an achievement to carry with pride for many years to come.”

–Simon Graney
School Director

My Diary

In the aftermath of the pandemic, I embarked on an unconventional journey: a 21-day adventure with New Zealand’s Outward Bound “Mind Body Soul” course. Every drop of sweat and each kayak challenge on the Pelorus River served as a ritual to cleanse the past and embrace the future. Amid the majestic beauty of New Zealand, I not only tested my physical limits but also reinvigorated my spirit. Armed with this transformative experience, I’m poised to traverse hemispheres and begin a new chapter in the U.S., setting forth on a journey imbued with profound meaning and passion.

Day 4: Begin with breakfast, followed by the second day of your kayak expedition. Afterward, return to Anakiwa for dinner, a debrief, and a reflection on the experiences from the past two days. The day concludes with a workshop session that delves into coping mechanisms to overcome fear and perceived self-limitations.

Day 5: Start the day with a PT session, followed by a sea dip and run. Enjoy breakfast in the dining hall before participating in a watch house cleaning session. Attend the assembly and then gear up for a high ropes session at the school. In the afternoon, engage in an activity centered on understanding personal values. Dinner will be served in the dining hall, where you’ll assist with service, cooking, and cleaning. End the day with an overnight stay in the watch house.

Day 21: The blast of the ferry horn echoed, and the instructors took their position on the dock, executing the commanding Māori haka dance. Each movement, each cry, radiated with intensity and fervor. Following the dance, they dove into the icy waters one after the other, offering homage in this time-honored tradition, celebrating the students who successfully navigated the demanding 21-day training. In that instant, tears brimmed in my eyes, my heart swelling with appreciation and pride.

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

In response to the unparalleled pandemic, our academy promptly established a Coronavirus Rescue Team. Spearheaded by our school, we collaborated with Chinese scholars and students from Columbia University. Starting in March 2020, we sprung into action, sourcing face masks, protective covers, goggles, and other vital medical supplies for hospitals in both China and the United States.

We coordinated tirelessly with various groups, and I played an instrumental role in the global Humanity Assistance program, an initiative aimed at fundraising and offering humanitarian support to those affected by Covid-19. Aided by parents, our team initially procured 8,000 face masks from China.

My primary responsibility was fundraising, and together we managed to raise up to $100,000. These funds facilitated the purchase and distribution of tens of thousands of face masks and protective covers to hospitals in Boston and New York. Simultaneously, we launched a dedicated rescue team to assist numerous Harvard and Columbia professors in need of basic protective gear.

In total, our teams provided over twenty thousand units of PPE to those most in need. Our leaders’ dedication and efforts were recognized and praised in an interview by a local Boston TV station. This experience taught me the importance of leadership, compassion, teamwork, and taking initiative during times of crisis.

Family Legacy

My father, trained at Harvard, is a successful businessman based in Hong Kong. In 2001, leveraging Web 2.0 internet financial technology, my parents founded the first KVB financial services company in New Zealand. Within a span of a decade, the company expanded rapidly into a globally-structured group.

They established wholly-owned institutions in cities such as Auckland, Sydney, Melbourne, Hong Kong, Toronto, Taipei, and Singapore, obtaining financial licenses in each of these countries and regions. Their business has a presence across the Asia-Pacific, South Pacific, and North America.

In 2013, they were listed on the Hong Kong GEM board, which is equivalent to NASDAQ. By 2018, they had successfully made their mark on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, comparable to the New York Stock Exchange.

This achievement made them the sole non-bank financial institution in the Greater China region with foreign exchange as its core business to be publicly listed. Their journey has deeply influenced my understanding of leadership, innovation, resilience, and global business development.

Family and Home

The year 2021 posed multifaceted challenges. Beyond my financial woes, I also navigated the emotional turbulence brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. It radically altered the norms, especially during my crucial high school years in Boston, replacing traditional classrooms with digital interfaces.

Feeling entrapped by the pandemic, which I likened to a “grey rhino” event from my family’s financial jargon, the vibrant educational ambiance I was accustomed to morphed into a digital realm with limited personal interactions.

The pandemic even prompted my move from the U.S. back to my homeland of New Zealand. This transition was not just geographical but a complete life alteration, shaping my adaptability, independence, and perspective on family and home.

Throughout these experiences, my family remained a source of strength and encouragement. Living between different countries and cultures taught me to appreciate stability, resilience, and the importance of maintaining close family bonds despite changing circumstances.

Volunteer for Financial Inclusion Project in China

In 2018, inspired by my parents, I joined the KVB Rural Financial Technology Assistance team, which was dispatched to underdeveloped rural areas in China. Drawing inspiration from Muhammad Yunus’ Grameen Bank in Bangladesh, the team collaborated with remote Chinese rural credit cooperatives to establish a mini-loan system.

This initiative offered farmers small loans without the need for collateral, often known as microloans or Grameen loans, assisting them in expanding their farming activities and boosting their income.

A documentary about this effort, filmed on location, was aired by China’s mainstream media outlet, Phoenix TV. This experience strengthened my understanding of financial inclusion, humanitarian responsibility, and the transformative impact that technology and innovation can have on underserved communities.

Block Chain App Project

In July 2020, upon my father’s recommendation, I embarked on a business internship with a fintech company based in Singapore. Their vision was to pioneer an innovative payment platform enabling users to transact with either traditional fiat currencies or cryptocurrencies via credit or debit cards.

Representing the 16-20 age demographic, I played the role of a simulated user, rigorously testing the app’s interface and its various features. My insights, rooted in a youthful perspective, were invaluable in guiding enhancements and refinements.

The project unfolded over a span of two months, during which two major updates were rolled out. I was actively involved in evaluating these updates, offering detailed feedback on user experience. My collaboration was largely digital; I interacted with professionals from Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taiwan through virtual meetings on Zoom.

The team provided comprehensive training and clarifications, ensuring I grasped the core objectives behind the platform’s creation and its design nuances. Reflecting on it now, three years later, it’s evident that their foresight was remarkably progressive. Today, prominent services like Wirex.com and Cryptocurrency.com echo similar concepts.

I deeply valued my involvement in this project. It offered me a unique lens into the future of financial products and connected me with diverse individuals I hadn’t previously known. The confluence of varied ideas enriched the experience immeasurably. My input was not only appreciated but also implemented, solidifying my enthusiasm and bolstering my confidence.

Subsequently, I enrolled in a Digital Marketing course at Harvard Summer School, a natural progression from my past interests and internship experiences. It’s worth noting that many of my peers in this course were seasoned professionals, making me the youngest participant. My efforts culminated in receiving an ‘A’ grade, and the commendation from the professor further solidified my passion for my chosen field.

Upon concluding my 2020 internship, I was awarded 0.5 BTC from the UNi company, which was valued at $3,000 then. Regrettably, I lost this BTC soon after, falling victim to a telecom scam. By year-end, BTC’s value soared to $60,000, meaning my stake would have been worth $30,000—sufficient to cover my initial year’s travel and accommodation for studying in the US. Nevertheless, this episode imparted an invaluable lesson for both my parents and me, and it continues to shape my perspective on risk, responsibility, and human nature.

Personal Reflection

Reflecting on the past three years, I gaze into the future with anticipation rather than trepidation. Embracing challenges has molded my philosophy, enhancing adaptability and fortifying resilience. Each experience serves as a guiding light, positioning me to traverse life’s myriad chapters, contribute meaningfully to the global tapestry, and carve an indelible imprint on history’s pages.

Thank you for delving into this humble compilation. It is my sincere hope to earn a spot at your prestigious institution. May the aspirations, enthusiasm, and determination illustrated in these pages resonate with you.