Alumni Check-in: Austin Lu (Class of 2024)

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

A: I currently live in Ithaca, New York, attending Cornell University. I’m double majoring in Computer Science and Mathematics, which keeps me close to my classes, projects, and campus life.

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

The biggest difference is the weather — Ithaca gets heavy snowfall, and winter temperatures can go down to –10°C. But one similarity is the people; I’ve found a supportive group of friends here just like I had in high school.

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

A: My day usually starts with one or two classes. After that, I spend time in my dorm or the library working on assignments. On Monday and Wednesday nights, I train with my volleyball team, which is a fun break from schoolwork.

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

A: I miss how simple high school life felt. There was less pressure, and I had more time to relax and hang out with friends.

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: I’ve learned how important it is to manage time well. Understanding things from the foundation instead of taking shortcuts makes a huge difference later on.

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

A: I’d tell myself to be more proactive, try new interests, and not be afraid to explore outside my comfort zone.

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

A: Honestly, not really. College requires a level of independence and responsibility that I didn’t experience much in high school. At Cornell, I’ve had to learn how to manage my own schedule, handle stress, and look for opportunities on my own. Those skills developed after graduation, and I wish I had practiced them earlier.

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

A: I’m excited to land a job where I can actually use the skills I’ve spent years learning — and hopefully not break anything on my first day. I want to work on meaningful tech projects, grow into someone who knows what they’re doing (or at least looks like it), and keep improving in areas like machine learning. I’m also looking forward to meeting new people, exploring new places, and seeing where all this hard work takes me.

Q. Anything else? 

A: I’m grateful for the people and memories from KAS. They still motivate me and remind me where I came from.