My family and I recently had a disagreement about my education. We debated for a month whether I should choose a popular field of study like finance, economics, management, law, or computer engineering to conform with societal expectations or follow my true passion. Eventually, I won the argument. In China, as in many other families, my parents always wanted me to pursue a prestigious and well-paid profession that would ensure success. So when I told them that I wanted to study for a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition instead, they were completely surprised. They couldn’t see any difference between being a nutritionist and being a chef since both involve food preparation and service. It was an unexpected career choice that never crossed their minds; however, while they might have initially considered it undignified and modest, they never explicitly expressed this view.
Realizing that it would be a challenging and lengthy process to win them over, I recognized the difficulty ahead. Both of my grandparents were professors in their careers before retiring. Additionally, my mother presently holds the position of a prelector at Xi’an Jiaotong University, while my father works as a researcher at Xi’an Institute of Electrics. They have both successfully established their own companies – my mother’s company specializes in software with a workforce consisting of 90 employees, whereas my father’s company focuses on electrical furnaces and is smaller in scale. Consequently, they expressed their desire for me to pursue computer engineering, finance, or management as areas of study with the potential for taking over their businesses in the future.
My family was surprised and disapproved of my choice, as it went against their expectations and was seen as unconventional. This disagreement caused a month-long conflict between me and my family. Initially, I must admit that I was swayed by the appealing concept of a successful future that my parents had portrayed, provided I pursued those alluring and extraordinary opportunities.
Despite my parents’ belief in hard work and giving my best effort to achieve prestigious positions, they argued that pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition could lead to a challenging career path. They believed that even with a doctorate degree, finding positions in top-tier hospitals would be difficult. This could potentially result in me working in restaurants or other dining establishments alongside chefs or as a private nutritionist for wealthy individuals. In China, most ordinary people cannot afford their own nutritionist and do not consider hiring one even if they have the means to do so. Consequently, my parents questioned if this was truly the life I desired.
Before rushing into any imprudent decisions, think carefully if this is the type of job you want to do for your entire life. I took considerable time to ponder over this question and almost considered changing my path because of the strong arguments that confronted the faint and obscure voice within my heart. I reasoned with myself, thinking that maybe it would be wise to heed my parents’ advice since they have more life experience due to their older age. This thought filled me with great excitement as I started envisioning a magnificent future ahead.
I imagined myself in a beautifully designed website, dressed in a modest yet superbly tailored suit, diligently working in stylish and well-lit offices located in a magnificent skyscraper. The elegant French windows would allow the golden afternoon sunlight to stream brilliantly, while I engaged in courteous and formal conversations with individuals also wearing finely crafted suits, expressing themselves in equally polite and refined manners. At the end of each productive day, I would leisurely sit within elegant cafes, enjoying exquisite cuisine and engaging in polite conversations with well-behaved servers. Everything appeared idyllic at first glance. However, upon closer reflection, there was one aspect that seemed less than perfect.
Something was missing, something lacking. A voice from the depths of my heart spoke, “Happiness. You desire happiness, but it can only be found if you truly seek it in any perfect life.” So what do I seek? I am not an ambitious girl willing to achieve fame at any cost. Instead, I am calm, patient, sensitive and friendly. Life itself and genuine emotions are my priorities above all else. This doesn’t mean I want an average life or lack ambition for success.
My perception and understanding of success may vary from the common ones. The accumulation of wealth and a lavish way of life do not precisely represent the success I aspire to achieve. To me, success encompasses fully utilizing my talents and positively influencing as many individuals as I can with my expertise and skills. It involves promoting well-being and joy, offering authentic emotions and companionship to others, while also receiving genuine feelings and friendship from both others and my friends. My passion lies in serving people.
Although some may view it as ignoble or humble, I consider enhancing people’s lives and promoting their health and happiness to be the most noble pursuit in existence. Serving individuals according to their preferences rather than resorting to dishonest strategies for personal advancement is truly honorable. Surprisingly, my passion lies in researching and preparing food; even as a young girl, I was captivated by cookery TV programs. For quite some time now, my aspiration has been to become a chef one day!
Despite my childhood passion for nutrition being overshadowed by the demanding school curriculum in China, I have remained fascinated by the nutrients present in fruits and vegetables. My dedication to expanding my knowledge on various nutrients and their optimal utilization has endured. My accomplishments in the National Chemistry Contest, where I was honored with the Third Grade Award, have bolstered my confidence in related areas. With the backing of my family, I have made a resolute decision after thoughtful deliberation.
The University of Hong Kong holds a revered position in the realm of higher education, and Hong Kong is my cherished destination. I possess an ardent desire to enroll in this esteemed university situated in the captivating city of Hong Kong, and I am exerting great effort to pursue my passion. It would be an immense privilege for me to become a member of your community, and I have full confidence that you will not regret your decision, as I will diligently strive to prove myself. At present, my affiliation with the University of Hong Kong fills me with pride, and I firmly believe that in due time, the University of Hong Kong too shall take pride in my achievements. Warm regards to all.
