Lin Haoxiang, Class of 2027 in Computer Engineering at ZJUI, channels his creativity into developing practical applications that enhance students' learning experiences. Beyond his studies, he finds joy in running, takes great interest in classical music, and likes exploring the world of literature.
“Running is my way to think and recharge,” Lin says. “Each stride helps me move forward—not just on the track, but in life.” What began as a sixth-grade sprint competition turned into a lifelong habit. At ZJUI, running became his rhythm of balance. After studying, he often slips out of the library for a quiet jog around campus, letting his mind settle with every step.
In 2024, he took on a new challenge—the 400-meter hurdles at the Zhejiang University Sports Meet. What started as an experiment soon revealed his hidden potential. After months of disciplined training, Lin Haoxiang claimed the bronze medal. “That race wasn't just about winning,” he reflects. “It was about learning to try, to fail, and to grow stronger each time.”
Running also connected him to others. He joined Zhejiang University's Kuafu Running Club, completed a half marathon, and later helped establish a running club at the International Campus, Zhejiang University. Now studying abroad, Lin Haoxiang continues the journey with the Illinois Track and Field Club, using running as a bridge to new friendships and cultures.
When Lin steps away from the track, his world is filled with music and literature. He remembers the moment it all began: “In the sixth grade, during a Chinese class, I first heard Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata. I was stunned by how deeply music could speak without words.”
That moment sparked a lifelong love for classical music. From Beethoven to Liszt, from Brahms to John Adams, Lin Haoxiang finds comfort and meaning in every note. He has performed in Zhejiang University's campus music salons and spent two years mastering Rachmaninoff's Piano Sonata No. 2.
His love of art extends to literature. Drawn first to classical Chinese prose, Lin Haoxiang now reads broadly across world literature, writing essays, poems, and short stories in both Chinese and English. His creative works—often blending the imagery of music and language—reflect a mind equally logical and lyrical.
As a Computer Engineering student, Lin Haoxiang infuses technology with his creativity. During his freshman year, he noticed that the LC-3 assembly language lacked a visual debugger in VS Code. Instead of waiting for a fix, he built one himself—launching the “LC-3 Debugger” extension on the VS Code Marketplace, now used by his peers for smoother programming and debugging.
He also designed a grade management system for his high school, helping administrators adapt to a new grading policy. The system is now in pilot use, providing a smarter, faster solution for teachers and students there.
“I love learning through doing,” Lin Haoxiang says. “ZJUI’s hands-on and interdisciplinary approach has taught me how to turn knowledge into action.” Looking forward, he hopes to combine computer technology with music and speech recognition, exploring more human-centered ways for people to interact with machines.
