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Hanniel Chow Hon Nip, Psychology Year-2 student of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), has been awarded a scholarship of HK$160,000 from the “HSBC Overseas Scholarship Scheme”.  With it, he is going to spend an academic year, starting from September, in the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

Hanniel is excellent in both musical studies and sports performance. He entered CUHK with three 5**, a splendid result in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination. Not only did he choose to major in psychology, but also he took a minor in music since he can play the piano and ukulele very well. He is also a long-distance runner who has represented Hong Kong and is the holder of the 3,000 m steeplechase and 4×1500 m relay Hong Kong youth record. His outstanding performance has been recognized with various awards including the HKAAA Athlete of the Year (Men’s Junior) 2016, Watsons Athletic Club Best Athlete (Men’s Junior) 2016, and the Gold Prize for Outstanding Athletic Achievements Award – Wu Yee Sun College, CUHK.

From a disobedient child to a model student

Hanniel is now regarded as a model student but it did not look that way in primary school. “I was a troublemaker and was frequently complained about and punished by teachers. My mother had no choice but to transfer me to another school,” said Hanniel. He continued to miss classes and bully classmates until form two. “One day, my teacher met my mother again to discuss my poor conduct. My mother did not reproach me but I could see desperation in her eyes.” This became the turning point of Hanniel’s life. After that, he turned over a new leaf and put his nose to the grindstone to study and develop his sports.

Develop determination from difficulties

Although the practice in track and field was painstaking and boring, he was still enjoying the challenge that running brought. However, he was injured before the end of last year which prevented him from joining the 2017 Universiade, a competition he had long waited for. During recovery, he rethought his life goal. “I have spent all my time on the track and ignored all other objectives. I would like to strive for diversity.” Finally, he decided to give up running and regain enthusiasm for playing musical instruments. He also tried to be a laboratory intern and a hotline counsellor. “I think teenagers will eventually find and set their goals in life when they grow up. Parents should not be over anxious about their academic results.”

Determined to become clinical psychologist and music therapist

Hanniel is looking forward to gaining knowledge during his exchange in UCLA and to becoming both a clinical psychologist and music therapist. He said, “UCLA is renowned for finding the crux of depression and other mental illnesses by using neuroimaging. I am really interested in this topic.”