Alumni Check-in: Jesse Kwok (Class of 2025)

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

A: I’m currently at the University of Hong Kong, studying a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery under their Distinguished MedScholar track.

I’m also involved with AMSAHK, a medical student organization under the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations and the Asian Medical Students’ Association. 

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

A: One of the biggest differences is probably the pace of life. Hong Kong feels much faster and more crowded, and everything is very compact.

Kaohsiung feels a lot more relaxed and spacious, with wider streets and a slower rhythm to everyday life.

At the same time, there are still things that feel familiar. Both Hong Kong and Kaohsiung are coastal cities, so there's similar humid weather and a strong connection to the harbor and the sea. Food is also a big part of daily life in both places. 

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

A: A typical day for me actually varies because the schedule is arranged by the faculty and changes from week to week. The curriculum is organized into blocks, where we go through a body system at a time and cover everything related to it, such as the physiology, diseases, and treatments, all within the same period.

Some weeks I have quite a few in-person lectures, but there’s no attendance requirement and they’re all recorded anyway. Other weeks might be mostly e-learning video sets, and sometimes it’s a mix of both.

Throughout the week, we also have practicals, PBLs and clinical skills sessions. 

Q. What's one thing you miss most about Taiwan? 

A: Weirdly enough, I miss the convenience of Ubikes. Being able to just grab a bike almost anywhere and cycle a short distance was something I used a lot in Taiwan.

The MTR in Hong Kong is definitely very convenient, but during rush hour it can get really crowded.

Q. What advice would you give to the HS students?

A: I’d probably say to stay curious and explore different interests while you still can.

High school is a great time to try new things, whether that’s academics, sports, or different extracurriculars, because it helps you figure out what you actually enjoy. 

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

A: Yes, one of the biggest things I learned there was time management, especially balancing academics with extracurricular activities. That skill has been really important now that university requires a lot of independent learning.

I was also lucky to have supportive teachers who were willing to give advice and guidance, which helped me think more seriously about my future plans. 

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

A: I’m mainly looking forward to traveling more and seeing different parts of the world. We also have an Enrichment Year in the MBBS program during the third year, which is a mandatory gap year.

During that time, I’m hoping to pursue a master’s degree in something outside of medicine. It’s a nice opportunity to step away from the usual medical curriculum for a bit and explore another field before returning for clinical years. 

Q. Anything else? 

A: Work hard, play hard.