On March 14, a unique Overseas Education Fair was held in the school hall of China (Hong Kong) English School (CHES) Secondary Section, attracting many parents and students for consultations. On that day, admissions staff from prestigious universities such as the University of Glasgow, Cardiff University, the University of Illinois at Chicago, the University of New South Wales, the University of Auckland, and the University of Southampton Malaysia Campus were present to share the latest trends in higher education with parents and students, unlocking the secrets to applying for undergraduate studies abroad.

A prestigious school attracts outstanding students. Recently, the soon-to-graduate high school seniors of CHES have received another wave of conditional offers from top overseas universities. Outside the exhibition venue, four students shared their academic experiences and future plans.

Liu Yucheng: A chemistry enthusiast in his element

Liu Yucheng, a student from the F6B Cambridge Science class, has received conditional offers from the University of Edinburgh, the University of Manchester, and the University of Bristol in the UK. Hailing from Xiamen, Fujian, Liu chose to study at CHES after being inspired by Luo Zhaoming, a 2021 graduate and son of his father's classmate, who was admitted to Imperial College London. Motivated by this example, Liu transferred to Zhongshan from Xiamen Foreign Language School during his first year of high school.

Liu Yucheng has a strong passion for chemistry. After joining CHES, Liu encountered a chemistry teacher who holds a PhD in the subject from a prestigious UK university and thrived under his guidance. In just over two years, he has won five international awards, including a Gold Medal in the 2024 UK Chemistry Olympiad, a Silver Award in the 2024 US PhysicsBowl, and the Special Merit Award in the 2023 Canadian Chemistry Olympiad.

Hu YiJia Sophia: Girls can excel in STEM too

Hu YiJia Sophia, Liu Yujia's classmate, is a native of Shiqi, Zhongshan. She has been studying at CHES since kindergarten all the way through high school. In middle school, she won a national award for her writing, and in high school, she earned a Gold Medal in the National Kangaroo Math Contest. Her key to success is "passion and interest are crucial". For subjects like physics, which many girls find intimidating, her advice is to stay fully focused during the 40-minute class, and review and practice problems diligently after class.

So far, Sophia has received conditional offers from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and City University of Hong Kong, both in her preferred field, data science and analytics. "I don't fully understand data science yet, but I know it's built on a foundation of mathematics, and its prospects are promising. Plus, I'm very interested in math," Sophia said.

Lu Tinyu: Gaining much from community service

Lu Tinyu, a student from the F6C Cambridge Business class, has been studying at CHES since kindergarten——a Hong Kong native who continued all the way through high school. Not only him, but his younger sister is also currently enrolled in the primary school division. "With the opening of the ShenZhong Link, commuting has become very convenient. We now live in Zhongshan on weekdays and return to Hong Kong on weekends or holidays," Lu Tinyu shared.

CHES is one of the first schools in Zhongshan to promote charity and public welfare, consistently sowing seeds of kindness for over 30 years. Lu's mother strongly supports her children's participation in school or student-led volunteer activities and even mobilizes friends and relatives to join as volunteers. Influenced by both family and school, Lu Tinyu and his sister actively engage in various campus initiatives, extracurricular clubs, and charity carnivals every year. His sister is even a member of the primary school's Red Cross Society.

Recently, Lu Tinyu has received conditional offers from several prestigious universities at home and abroad, including the University of Manchester, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and the University of Bristol.

Yang Angel: Overseas student realizes her dream of entering HKU

Yang Angel, a classmate of Lu Tinyu, has received conditional offers from multiple prestigious universities, including the University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and City University of Hong Kong.

Born in the United States, Yang Angel returned to China and grew up in Zhongshan. She transferred to CHES in her third year of middle school after previously attending another local institution. "My previous school had a relatively narrow academic pathway, focusing solely on domestic entrance exams for secondary schools and colleges. However, my parents wanted me to have diverse higher education options after graduation. After careful consideration, we chose CHES," she explained.

Now, Yang Angel has achieved her goal. Having passed the IELTS and A-Level exams with outstanding results, she is all but guaranteed admission to her dream program at HKU's Business School. "Our accounting teacher Ms Huang is an Australian-educated returnee. Her teaching is excellent, which made me develop a strong interest in accounting. After completing my studies, I hope to return and contribute to the Greater Bay Area, striving for my aspirations," she shared.