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Graduate Interview: Chen Jiahang

PostTime:4/1/2021

This June, the first cohort students will graduate from Guangdong Technion - Israel Institute of Technology. Starting from this week, we will publish a series of interviews with the graduates from Class 2021 to show their stories with GTIIT in the past four years.


Here is the story about Chen Jiahang, a student of Class 2021 from Biotechnology and Food Engineering Program.


Name:Chen Jiahang

High school:Jinshan High School, Shantou

Program:Biotechnology and Food Engineering


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For Chen Jiahang, studying at GTIIT is a meaningful journey in her life.


"As a native of Shantou City, I learned that Technion-Israel Institute of Technology opened its China campus in Shantou when I was in high school. Since then, I have been looking forward to studying at GTIIT for the following reasons. Firstly, it is attractive that without leaving my hometown, I could receive world-class teaching and have an international studying experience, as compared to other universities. Secondly, Biotechnology and Food Engineering is my favorite program. After four years, I am sure that I had made the right choice."


Follow my heart and adhere to my dream

"I have been interested in biology since my high school years. I like baking and I enjoy the process of bread baking. What’s more, I'm curious about the principle of it." With her curiosity and aspiration, Chen Jiahang started to explore the knowledge in the field of biotechnology and food engineering.


After four years’ study, Jiahang found that Biotechnology and Food Engineering is a program with strong demand.


"I have heard that food and biology programs are not popular and I used to feel confused about this. However, after studying at GTIIT, I found that my major "Biotechnology and Food Engineering Program" combines both science and engineering disciplines and it focuses on not only theory but also application. This interdisciplinary program is one of the most popular and prestigious programs at the Technion. According to my professors, only a few universities in the world could have such a program.


Gradually, I find that biotechnology and food engineering program is significant in human society. Humans have been making wine for thousands of years, but it's still unclear what food biotechnology-related knowledge is involved. With the development of technology, people are slowly figuring out the principle, developing new products and trying to improve the quality of life at the same time. We can also see that biotechnology is essential for effective detection of the virus amid the COVID-19 outbreak."


During the four years at GTIIT, Chen Jiahang has seized every opportunity to participate in internships programs and scientific research projects, to learn more about the food-related fields.


In the summer vacation of her sophomore year, Chen Jiahang worked as an intern in a local food company in Shantou recommended by her professor. That internship experience enabled her to have a deeper understanding of food research and production. "After the internship, I was encouraged by my professor to share my experience as a student representative in the First Conference of BFE- Partners in Biotechnology & Food Engineering held at GTIIT. It was the first time for me to speak in front of so many professionals, and it was a valuable experience."


In the summer vacation of Jiahang’s junior year and the first semester of her senior year, she participated in a scientific research project on "Improving the Bioavailability of Curcumin in Emulsion". "My partner and I did the literature review, spent about one month designing the experiment and confirming the experimental materials needed to be purchased, and I learned how to use the instruments. This experience greatly improved my speed and ability to read and search literature, as well as my ability to design experiments and operate commonly used instruments."


Jiahang said that she had to learn a wide range of subjects during the four years. In addition to biotechnology and food-related courses, she also needed to learn the subjects about basic advanced mathematics, chemistry, fluid mechanics, etc. "This knowledge has gradually formed a network in my mind, which has laid a solid foundation for my future study."


"The course that impressed me most was Food Microbiology in the first semester of my junior year. In the lab class, we made pickles with different salt concentrations and wine by ourselves, and recorded their weekly status, such as monitoring the concentration of nitrite in pickles and the content of bacteria in red wine. The course made me feel the charm of the combination of traditional technology and modern science. Although the food itself seems normal, future generations still strive for perfection and improve the quality constantly. This class has also become the driving force for me to choose food-related programs for my graduate study.


Grow up from-confusion

"From the confusion of knowing nothing to have a clear plan", this is Chen Jiahang's summary of her university life.


"I usually got good grades in English when I was in high school, but at the beginning of my freshman year at GTIIT, I couldn't get used to English teaching environment. I was confused at that time. The only thing I did was trying to get used to English teaching, and never thought about my plan of the university life at that time."


Chen Jiahang said that she used to be a very introverted person, but after studying at GTIIT, her personality had changed a lot.


"At first, I was afraid to ask questions even if I didn't understand what teachers said in class. While in the four years, we have been encouraged by our professors to ask questions and not be afraid of making mistakes. Gradually, I began to ask professors questions face to face or by email until I figured them out." 


What’s more, Jiahang was very grateful to her classmates at GTIIT. "Whenever we meet with difficulty in study, we will discuss with each other and put forward our own views. The more I talk with my classmates, the more clear goals I can make for my future."


Jiahang quickly adjusted from the confusion by getting used to thinking as native English speakers, developing the habit of preview and review and asking questions actively to clarify the knowledge she didn’t understand. 


Gradually, she became clear about her goals for the four years in the university. "In the summer vacation of my sophomore year, I got my IELTS target score and also completed my internship. In the summer vacation of my junior year, I participated in scientific research project and determined my target university for further study. Although I lost my free holiday, my goals were accomplished one by one."


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Make progress with GTIIT

After four years study, Chen Jiahang becomes more confident that she is interested in biotechnology and food engineering and she has made up her mind to continue her study in food-related fields. By now, Jiahang has received offers of food-related programs from world renowned universities, including Wageningen University & Research, University of Edinburgh, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and Vrije University Amsterdam.


When asked about her advantages in applying for graduate programs, Jiahang said it was the strength of GTIIT and Technion and her English ability.


"As a first cohort GTIIT student, I was worried about not being recognized and failing to apply for top universities, but it turned out that my worries were unnecessary. I came to realize that the Technion is an world renown university of science and technology and the Technion degree is internationally recognized.


The experience of applying for graduate school not long ago made Chen Jiahang realize the advantage of being a GTIIT student.


"Wageningen University & Research has long been world-renowned for its food-related programs. Before I applied for it, I learned that the GPA required by this university for applicants from none-recognized universities is above 90, but my GPA is only above 85. Besides, I worried about that GTIIT was too young to be recognized. I submitted my application in November 2020 and received a rejection letter half a month later because my low GPA. Later, I wrote to WUR to demonstrate that GTIIT students shared the same standards for teaching and exams as students in the Technion. I also sent them a screenshot of my transcript on Technion’s website to prove I was indeed registered as a Technion student. 


On the second day after I sent the appeal letter, WUR sent me two offers from food-related programs. As far as I know, the GPA requirement for GTIIT students was changed to 85 points later on. Therefore, with the strong academic background and strength of the Technion, I got the offers from my dream university and got the opportunity to study in a university with famous food-related programs!"


Chen Jiahang said that she has benefited a lot from the English teaching environment at GTIIT. "After four years training, my listening, speaking, reading and writing skills have been greatly improved. This was evident in the IELTS test. I only took one test to achieve my target score. As far as I know, there are many GTIIT students who have got high scores in IELTS and TOEFL."


As the first cohort of GTIIT students, Jiahang has a deep feeling for the university. "We grew up with GTIIT, and it was amazing to eyewitness our progress."


Chen Jiahang has very valuable advice for the current junior students.


"I hope you can cherish your time and every opportunity to make changes and this is also my motto. Studying at GTIIT is not easy. We have countless reports and projects, busy schedules and difficult exams. However, if you are determined to undertake your graduate study, just work hard in every semester and have a clear plan. You need to arrange everything in advance, such as getting the target IELTS/ TOEFL/ GRE scores, deciding your dream university, etc. Don't waste your summer vacations in your sophomore and junior years. Try to enrich your experience by learning English, doing internships or participating in scientific research projects."


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Text: GTIIT News & Public Affairs

Photos: Chen Jiahang, GTIIT News & Public Affairs


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