Ren Xiangyi, Class of 2029 in Computer Engineering at ZJUI, is already making her mark here. She delivered a speech as the student representative at ZJUI 2025 Convocation, served as a member of the Hosts Team of the International Campus, Zhejiang University, and won First Prize in the 13th Zhejiang University English Reading & Writing Contest. Beyond academics, she was the principal trumpeter of her high school wind orchestra, and together with her team, won numerous outstanding awards.
When talking about her academic journey, Ren Xiangyi's eyes light up with genuine enthusiasm. Raised in a bilingual environment, she fostered a passion for languages and cross-cultural communication early on—and a short-term study stint in Australia during her primary school years only deepened that fervor. “I made friends from across the globe back then,” she recalls. “We learned from each other, shared stories, and forged real connections. That experience really fueled my desire to step onto a broader international stage and keep exploring the world.”
But Ren Xiangyi’s curiosity extends far beyond languages and culture. A high school robotics class ignited her passion for technology: hands-on and creative work like building circuits and coding filled her with an immense sense of accomplishment. It was in those moments that she ultimately found her calling: computer engineering.
Motivated by her passion for technology, Ren Xiangyi chose to study Computer Engineering at ZJUI. From the moment she stepped into ZJUI, she was immediately impressed by its rich international atmosphere and English instruction. In class, she not only got to team up with classmates from over a dozen countries for discussions, exchanging ideas and sparking intellectual exchanges, but also felt the professors’ genuine dedication to teaching. “Whether it’s theory-focused courses like Circuit Theory or hands-on programming labs, professors never pile up obscure jargon to explain key concepts,” she said. “Instead, they use vivid real-life scenarios or engineering examples to illuminate core ideas.” She added, “If any student mentions that the pace is too fast or they struggle to grasp a certain concept, professors will proactively adjust their speed and set aside dedicated office hours for questions. They helped us clear up confusion bit by bit, so we quickly got through the adjustment period for English instruction.” What benefited her even more was ZJUI’s globally-aligned textbook system. “Textbooks don’t just cover basic theoretical frameworks—they’re also interspersed with many cutting-edge cases in the current electronics and computer fields,” she explained.
Shortly after she was enrolled in ZJUI, her strong language and analytical skills earned her First Prize in the 13th Zhejiang University English Reading & Writing Contest. When asked about English learning, she shares two insights: “First, learn to think directly in English rather than translate mentally. Second, focus on precision and clarity—English values being clear over being ornate.”
Ren Xiangyi (second from the left) and her peers participating in a campus activity
Beyond academics, the trumpet is a passion Ren Xianyi has never let go of—a love that took root when her fingers first touched the brass instrument in the first grade, and has stayed with her for a full eight years. By high school, thanks to daily persistence and solid performance skills, she grew into the ensemble’s principal trumpet player—becoming a reliable, standout “vocal anchor” for the group.
Over those eight years, she walked side by side with her bandmates through countless rehearsal days, and together they stepped onto national, provincial, and district-level stages: from winning Gold Awards at the Shanghai Excellent Wind Ensemble Exhibition for two consecutive years, to claiming Silver at the 9th World Orchestra Festival; from retaining the First Prize in the Western Music Category of the Yangpu District Student Art Festival for four years running, to twice helping the ensemble be named a “Model Ensemble” at the 14th “Zhonghua Cup” Excellent (Symphonic) Wind Ensemble Exhibition. Behind every honor lies the care she put into refining musical phrases and adjusting her breath, as well as the rapport forged through her bandmates’ mutual adjustments.
Ren Xiangyi participated in the 14th “Zhonghua Cup” Excellent (Symphonic) Wind Ensemble Exhibition
Ren Xiangyi at a wind ensemble performance
Ren Xiangyi is also a confident host and speaker—a passion that began by chance when she filled in for a class event host in middle school. “That moment taught me to stay calm under pressure and sparked my love for hosting,” she says. Over time, she evolved from a nervous announcer to a poised, engaging host. Moreover, she enjoys swimming, rollerblading, skateboarding, and badminton. For her, sports are not just about fitness—they are moments of freedom, focus, and joy.
As she looks ahead to her future at ZJUI, Ren Xiangyi hopes to hold onto her natural curiosity and diverse passions. “I want to connect with more like-minded friends, grow through research and practice here, and stay enthusiastic—whether it’s for my studies or my hobbies,” she says.
