“Be tough, be kind, be wise.” In our second screening, Museum Director of the Hong Kong Science Museum, Lawrence, shared these three values seems to summarise all we need to be in life.

Be tough. During the 2nd round of selection, where we encountered tasks that were both physically and mentally challenging, I really felt the importance of this quality. Being an astronaut is to step out of our comfort zones, and to face that, resilience is an ever-important factor. For our 2nd screening, we attended a camp at Sai Kung, which was one of the most fun but challenging experiences I’ve had. One of the most memorable activities for me was the night time orienteering activity. It was especially memorable for our group because we took a wrong turn at the beginning and lost a big portion of the time, making it near hopeless to finish the whole course in time. It was quite a big blow to our spirits because not only did we have to travel a much longer distance, we were almost certain to lose the competition. However, I was touched that our entire group unanimously decided to continue the orienteering course instead of going back. Although it was honestly quite trying to traverse through the mountain trails with just a compass and a map in the dark, travelling as a group gave me the will to keep up a positive attitude and keep going on, especially because we needed to support and encourage the others that were lagging behind.  Throughout the mainland trip, we also had to stay on our feet for long stretches of time and to travel long distances by foot, for example experiencing the “Mars” environment with a trek through the Gobi Desert, and also often had to stay out quite late with a full day of activities. However, the fascinating surroundings and constant companionship really gave me motivation to push through tiredness when it comes, as I wanted to be my best self when engaging in activities and enjoy this valuable opportunity to the fullest.

Be kind. I was really grateful to have met such great people in this programme. During the trip, we were split into groups of 6, with whom we did most things together. I really experienced how essential communication and compromise is. We all needed to look after each other in the group, and make sure we’re all on the same page in order to work together well. Everyone in our group was thankfully willing to make small sacrifices to ensure that our whole group can work together smoothly, taking up different roles and responsibilities. When one of us were struggling, others would also be quick to reach out a helping hand and offer their support. For example, when it was really cold in the desert at night while we were stargazing, those of us who had extra jackets spared them for those who were cold. And when it started raining while we were visiting the Miyun Observing Station of the National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences, I was really grateful that my friend offered to help cover me with her umbrella so I could look at the outdoor telescopes freely. I’m so glad to have met some supportive and like-minded friends to share this experience with, and their company has really made my entire experience much more fun and enjoyable. I’ve learnt that in a group, it really is so important to empathize, offer help to others, and think of the whole group in order to work together well. After this trip, I do feel like I’ve grown more comfortable with meeting new people and working with them, and I believe that this will benefit me in the future as I will continue to work with people in most aspects in my life.

Be wise. One of my greatest expectations for this trip was to obtain a deeper understanding of China’s aerospace technology and gain more knowledge and experience of the industry. Needless to say, this trip exceeded my expectations. We had the privilege of listening to lectures from different professionals and get a close look at our country’s newest technologies. One of what has stuck with me the most is the mind-blowing technology of LAMOST, an optical telescope that employs a complex and intricate system to measure the spectra of as many as 4,000 astronomical objects at the same time. LAMOST is way ahead of its time and was even considered an impossible project back when it started construction in 2001. What struck me the most other than the fascinating mechanisms behind LAMOST was how China developed and applied this new technology independently, making a giant leap from mainly relying on other countries’ technology to having a revolutionary telescope that was previously unheard and unthought of. It’s made me think that nothing is impossible as long as you put the time and effort into it. This trip has really inspired me and equipped me with much more knowledge and experience, and I hope to continue pursuing a career in the aerospace industry in the future! I am endlessly grateful for this opportunity and to everyone on this trip for allowing me this invaluable experience. It’s really been an extremely fun and rewarding trip and I’m definitely going to treasure the memories I made.