Alumni Check-in: Benjamin Hsu (Class of 2025)

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

A: I am currently studying at Northeastern University, located in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts. I live on campus and am pursuing a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in management. 

Q, What are the biggest differences between there and Kaohsiung? What’s the biggest similarities? A: The biggest difference between Boston and Kaohsiung is definitely the weather. The wind and the cold really hit you sometimes, especially during the winter, when your hands and ear feels like they're freezing and your face is turning numb. With the biggest snowstorm recently, streets being filled with inches of snow is something I would never see in Kaohsiung. 

The biggest similarity with Kaohsiung is the city life and having access to convenient transportation and most of the things being within walking distance, such as the MBTA metros (the T), bikes, and buses that has allowed me to explore much of Boston. 

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

A: A typical day for me consists of classes from early morning to early afternoon.

M/W/Thurs: Three classes from 9:50 to 2:40 

Tues/Friday: One class from 9:50 to 11:30 

My lunchtime varies from 11 am to 1 pm, depending on my classes. After classes, I usually do some work and relax before grabbing dinner at the dining hall and heading to club meetings. At night, I would finish my work in my dorm or the library/lounges with friends, and end my day by working out at the gym before going to sleep.

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

A: One thing I miss the most about being a high school student was the structured life you have, where there’s no massive gap between classes, and not having to figure out life beyond classrooms. I also miss the learning environment from time to time, especially having a smaller class size that maximizes learning and being familiar with everyone in the class, rather than attending a massive lecture hall or auditorium.

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: The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to keep a positive mindset and prioritize myself. I’ve realized that when things don’t go well, it's an opportunity to learn and grow from it. I’ve also learned to enjoy myself more and not let outside noises bother me, whether that’s hanging out with friends, doing things I like, or just spending time alone. At the end of the day, I decide how my day goes, and the choices I make shape my experience.

Q. What advice would you give to your high school self? A: I would tell myself to cherish the time I have with the people around me and be more open to opportunities throughout high school, like joining more clubs, trying internships, or going to more social events. Having a wide range of experiences in high school can really benefit you in college and makes you more interesting.

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

A: IB definitely prepared me well for college, especially by strengthening my foundations in areas like Math, Business, and Econ.I also feel like the English learning environment in KAS has allowed me to transition smoothly into life abroad especially with communications and socializations. 

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

A: I am looking forward to gaining further knowledge and experiences in the business field through involvement in clubs and other opportunities, and ultimately securing a good co-op, which is a paid internship program that allows students to take a semester off to work and learn full-time in a real business environment. I am also excited about starting my investing journey and growing alongside my post-university journey. 

Q. Anything else? 

A: One of my highlights of last semester was exploring the universities around the greater Boston area, and even to other states like Rhode Island and New York; it’s definitely a great way to get to know your new city. I’m grateful to have many high school friends around, and reconnecting with them always makes the experience even more fun and meaningful, knowing the journey we took from high school to university.