Alumni Check-in: Regina Huang (Class of 2025)

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

A: I’m currently taking a gap year in Kaohsiung before going to college next year. So far, I’ve been traveling, doing sports like golf, getting licenses, hanging out with friends, and doing part time jobs. 

Q. Why did you decide to take a “gap year”? is it good? What are the positives and negatives?

A: Taking a gap year actually wasn’t my first choice, it was my parents’. From their perspective, a gap year is like a sabbatical, a chance to rest after six years of studying and to try things that I wouldn’t have time for once school resumed.

Honestly, I argued with them quite a bit at first because I wanted to be like my other peers and go straight to college after graduating from high school. Nevertheless, after reflecting on their advice, I agreed with them and decided to make my gap year at its most. 

Choosing a gap year means my path looks different from everyone else’. Though this isn’t negative or a bad thing, it did challenge my assumptions about entering university immediately. Besides the challenge in my perspective, there are also positives. I’ve learned to balance my life by making my own money through part time jobs while doing sports and hanging out with my friends, which I rarely achieved when I was fully dedicated to academics.

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

A: 9:00 Wake up and make breakfast

11:00~13:00 Having lunch with my family/friends

13:00~17:00 Go to my first part time job

18:00~19:00 Gym/Golf/Any sports related activities

20:00~22:00 Tutoring elementary school kids

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

A: Definitely the moments with my friends. I could still recall the time when we were grinding at my friend’s house (and actually completed nothing) and telling some inside jokes.

Q. What's the plan for next year?

A: I’ll officially be a university student! I’ll be enrolling at Western University in Canada studying business.

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

A: Things might not happen as you planned, but things will happen for a purpose.

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

A: When I was in KAS, I had opportunities to get exposed to various things. KAS equipped me with the confidence to step out of my comfort zone, and not be afraid of attempting different things.

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

A: In the next five years, I might graduate from college, look for a job in finance, consistently enhance my professionalism, and continue to fulfill my life.