Cadence Siow Jing Xuan

studying bio/mechanical engineering in NUS (Singapore)

ZJUI's First Non UIUC International Exchange Student

Loves traveling, cycling, and performing music

Likes exploring more possibilities for herself in the unknown

After a brief understanding of her

Are you more curious

In this exchange journey of collision between Chinese and Singapore cultures

What did she gain?

Let's take a look at her exchange life Plog together~

Despite only having a short semester of exchange, Cadence, who loves music, has also found her perfect stage on the International Campus. At the New Year’s Gala at the International Campus, Cadence and her companions presented an instrumental ensemble to everyone, bringing an unparalleled music feast to audience with enthusiasm and talent, and they received warm applause and the sincerest cheers from the audience.

Cadence's exchange life has been painted with step-by-step efforts. When she first arrived at ZJUI, Cadence felt a lot of pressure due to her unfamiliarity with the curriculum and teaching models. Slowly, with the care and help of her professors and classmates, she felt the unique charm of ZJUI's international engineering curriculum system. "I am very grateful for the guidance from my instructors and the help and concern from my classmates! The interdisciplinary courses featuring convergence and integration are very interesting, and small class teaching is also a fresh experience for me. Therefore, I quickly integrated into ZJUI and gained a lot," she told us.

At the high table dinner event organized by Residential College, Cadence engaged in free and easy communication with students of different classes and majors, faculty representatives, and college mentors in a harmonious atmosphere, enhancing her communication and understanding with other students and faculty members, and making new friends.

At the winter solstice, Cadence made rice dumpling and ate egg puffs with her friends. In the cold winter, they felt the warmth and "immersed" in Chinese traditional culture, feeling the charm of excellent Chinese traditional culture.

In her spare time, Cadence gathered for dinner, learned Taekwondo, and celebrated her 20th birthday with friends... On the last day of 2023, she and her friends participated in the 2024 New Year's Eve at Zhejiang University, experiencing the passion and excitement of Qiushi Garden. They went to a brilliant and beautiful fireworks display, rushing towards a new year in a foreign country in the dazzling sky, eagerly anticipating a more resilient and confident self in the coming year while yearning for hometown.

During Cadence's time studying at ZJUI, the most valuable gains were the improvement of personal abilities, the enrichment of international learning experience, and the transformation of mindset. She has a lot of nostalgia for the International Campus, and she misses ZJUI very much!

Feelings from Cadence

I had a really interesting semester at ZJUI, where I took mostly ME/ECE courses, and had the opportunity to work in groups with some of the senior students. Collaborating with ZJUI students as a group has broadened my horizons and benefited me greatly - It was eye-opening to witness the differences between China and Singapore in terms of group dynamics and attitude, and the level of interest and capability some of my peers displayed was inspiring. I also deeply experienced Chinese culture and made friends through various events, and really enjoyed my time in ZJUI!

During Cadence's time studying at ZJUI, the most valuable gains were the improvement of personal abilities, the enrichment of international learning experience, and the transformation of mindset. She has a lot of nostalgia for the International Campus, and she misses ZJUI very much!