They say the sky's the limit, so why not reach for the stars and refuse to settle for less?
Areebah Yasin | Pakistan | Year 1 Student | Global Development & Sustainability (GDS)
From Ambitions to Independence in Hong Kong
When I first arrived in Hong Kong, I carried many ambitions but wasn’t quite sure how to channel them. Lingnan surprised me; it felt like a meaningful reward, perhaps for a kindness I once offered without realizing. The professors treat you like a thinker, not just a student, and the work here pushes you to connect what you learn with real-world issues. It’s a place where great minds get to thinking about the betterment of the future.
Living alone in Hong Kong has taught me the value of personal space and self-discipline, lessons that reflect the hard work my father illustrated back home. It’s amazing in many ways, but I can’t lie, I miss my family, the warmth of home, and that unconditional love everyone craves. Coming back to an empty place after a long day, hoping for a home-cooked meal, hits hard sometimes. Yet after my first year, I’ve learned these are small sacrifices that build a foundation for standing confidently on my own, thanks to the quiet strength my family instilled in me.
From Beijing to Lingnan: Building a Global Future
The academic environment encourages critical thinking, practical engagement, and a global perspective. Opportunities for internships, projects, and community involvement let me apply what I learn in meaningful ways, while Hong Kong’s energy turns ideas into concrete actions. Through these experiences, I’ve built resilience and discipline, navigating challenges that keep me focused on my goals. I carry with me the confidence to speak passionately for people in need, a skill I learned from my mother, and feel ready for the professional world ahead.
Growing up in Beijing, speaking Mandarin has been a real asset for connecting across cultures. As someone from Pakistan, studying here gives me skills and knowledge I plan to bring home to tackle our specific challenges and opportunities for development. Lingnan and Hong Kong have given me clarity and practical tools, pulling my dreams out of the shadows into work that can help change the world. This is both a privilege and a challenge, the foundation of the future I’m determined to create.
The Sky Is the Limit
In Sha Allah, I wish to become the backbone of a person without hope, a teacher to someone who might need guidance, and a voice for people unheard. It might sound like I'm chasing for the stars, but reheated wisdom tells me…
“The sky is the limit”, so why settle for anything less?
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Last updated: September 3, 2026