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Chasing Goals, Building Bridges, and Exploring New Horizons

Friday, 4 July, 2025

Zhiyong Zhang AE S1
Zhiyong Zhang, Automotive Engineering Stage 1

University life isn’t just about academics. It's about experience. I’ve set a goal to play more football and watch more matches. Sport keeps me focused, energised, and connected with my friends. I'm looking forward to staying for summer camp here for two weeks. After that, it’s time to head home to Shandong Province. There, I’ll visit family, reconnect with old friends, and do some serious exploring. I want to try out new food shops and share my latest Xi’an food discoveries with my family. I’m planning to bring back some of my favourites so they can taste the Xi’an experience too! This summer, I also plan to visit Nanjing, a city rich in history and culture. 

Another goal? To get involved more maybe join a student association or get active in sports like football or basketball. I want to meet new people and challenge myself.

But if I had to pick one highlight from this past semester - it would be Anton’s class. It was not only interesting, it was inspiring. One project stood out: building a bridge using spaghetti. Our group’s bridge held an incredible 3.5 kilograms. It was a fun, creative, and unforgettable challenge.

UCD China Joint Colleges Office

Room 504, James Joyce Library Building, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
T: +353 1 716 1945 | E: chinajc@ucd.ie |