Alumni Check-in: Angelina Chu Kim (Class of 2025)

Q. Where do you live now? Why? What are you doing? 

A: Now I live in Mississauga, Canada, residence of University of Toronto Mississauga. I am studying psychology and criminology. 

Q. What are the biggest differences between there and Kaohsiung? What’s the biggest similarities?

A: The biggest difference between here and there is the weather. Here, it’s really cold—right now it’s about -8 degrees. Of course, there’s still food, but the food here is either very oily or very sweet. I’m almost used to it now, but I still really miss Taiwanese food.The biggest similarity is that some of my best friends are still here in Canada, so we sometimes hang out together.

Q. What does a typical day look like for you?

A: Wake up → Go to class → Eat → Go to library or common room to study → Sleep. Keep repeating until finals. 

Q. What's one thing you miss most about being a high school student?

A: I really miss the more relaxed version of myself, back when I didn’t have to worry about so many real-life concerns. University has definitely given me a lot of freedom, but at the same time, I’ve realized that I’m truly an adult now. I need to take good care of myself and think about more than just grades and studying—things like money, learning how to manage it, earning it, and planning for future work.

Q. What's the biggest lesson you’ve learned in the "real world" that you wish you knew while you were in high school? 

A: Actually, going to university, something I’ve always longed for, is different from what I imagined, and the responsibilities are unlike before. After going abroad, I really am on my own. Even with friends around, I still feel lonely and sometimes want to go back, but I also know my responsibilities. So I have to keep going and take good care of myself—being sick abroad is really troublesome.

Q. What advice would you give to your high school self?

A: You don’t need to worry so much—just do it, and you won’t regret it. I also hope you can trust yourself more. Instead of worrying about others, focus more on your own feelings and everything that matters to you. Don’t worry about not making friends—true friends don’t need to be forced; they just happen naturally.

Q. Did your KAS experience prepare you for life after graduation?

A: I guess you could say I do have it, it gave me a basic foundation in the language, allowing me to communicate in daily life. It also made it easier for me to make friends, helping me be more proactive and natural in social situations.

Q. What are you looking forward to most in the next five years?

A: I hope and look forward to successfully getting into my program. I’m also really excited about moving out with my friends next year and having my own private space. I hope to graduate successfully and find a job that I like, with decent pay—just enough to support myself. I’m also looking forward to doing some work over the summer to earn some money and save it as spending money. 

Q. Anything else? 

A: I think the most important thing in university, besides grades, is friends. Without friends, I wouldn’t even know how to get through university life. With friends, you can do so many things together, and even studying becomes easier because you can support and encourage each other.