One day you’ll leave this world behind, so live a life you will remember. | Feng Chia University Department of Environmental Engineering and Science, Wei-Hong Weng

First Impressions: From Night Market to University Campus

"Central Taiwan's largest night market university" was my first impression of Feng Chia University.

My previous knowledge of Feng Chia was mostly limited to "the night market food is delicious." Now, I have chosen to dedicate the most glorious years of my youth to Feng Chia University. Before the official start of the semester, I participated in the "Feng Chia Star" event, which helped me understand the university's goals and the curriculum planning of my department.

Entering Feng Chia: Enthusiastic Participation to Make Up for High School Regrets

As a freshman, I was filled with anticipation for university life. In high school, I attended a private school and had fewer opportunities to participate in club activities. Therefore, upon entering Feng Chia, I eagerly participated in department activities to make up for past social life regrets.

Academically, as a freshman, I experienced for the first time that all professional courses were centered around environmental conservation. Although there were still general education courses, it took some time to adapt.。

To make up for the regret of not participating in clubs during high school, I actively joined department association activities and enjoyed making new friends in university.

Exploring Experiments and Resources: Challenges and Learning Together

In my sophomore year, I had the opportunity to participate in my first project discussion and enter a professional laboratory for analysis experiments. The process involved challenges of failed experiments and retries, but these experiences accumulated valuable knowledge that greatly helped in writing my bachelor's thesis.

Additionally, in the latter part of my sophomore year, I became more familiar with the Environmental Engineering department and began exploring school resources. I chose to participate in micro-credit courses that differed from my major, such as drone production, operation, and beetle specimen making. These courses, which would typically require payment outside of school, were offered for free through the General Education Center, allowing me to learn diversely and earn credits.

I also participated in international experience courses, gaining initial insights into international trends and overseas living environments. Through the Language Center's English Corner, I interacted with foreign exchange students, building confidence in English communication and laying the foundation for future exchange applications.

In my sophomore year, my project research on the efficiency of sterilization in library epidemic prevention channels and the results of making drones in micro-credit courses.

Busy and Fulfilling Junior Year: Balancing Activities and Projects

Junior year was my busiest year.

Due to accumulated activity experience, I became a member of the department association, serving as a physical education officer and the deputy leader of the winter service team. Additionally, I participated in freshman training camps, department graduation ceremonies, and other activities, serving as a life leader and sound controller. These experiences taught me the importance of organization and resource planning and expanded my social circle, allowing me to meet friends from different departments.

Serving as a department association officer and participating in various department activities.

Academically, after completing my sophomore project, I proactively contacted Professor Cheng-Hua Liu to discuss interdisciplinary graduation projects.

With Professor Liu's assistance, I collaborated with partners from the Department of Communication Engineering to create an automated smart plant cultivation system. This system used automated control for lighting, cyclic filtration irrigation, and air conditioning to create an optimal growth environment for coffee trees, saving labor and management costs.

We also utilized AI plant size calculations from the Communication Engineering partners, using regular image records to calculate the growth of coffee trees. We hoped this system could be applied in real fields to help farmers and the government achieve low-carbon organic coffee production and agricultural net-zero emissions. This project deeply demonstrated the power of interdisciplinary collaboration.

In the second semester of my junior year, I discussed the undergraduate project content with Professor Chun-Che Wu and successfully passed the National Science Council's approval. We planned research on improving hydrogen production efficiency through new composite materials for photoelectrocatalysis. After six months of experimental analysis, we produced the final analysis report.

This experiment increased my enthusiasm for experimentation and sparked a strong desire for results. Despite the challenging process, including reconfiguring materials, I was delighted to complete the National Science Council's project report successfully.

Engaging in experiments and successfully passing the National Science Council's undergraduate project application.

Dreams Take Flight: Exchange Experience in the United States

In the final stage of my university life, I finally took a step towards my dream—studying abroad in the United States.

Inspired by my sister, who had participated in an exchange program, and having completed most of my credits, I decided to take the plunge. After attending the International Affairs Office's International Study Week, I understood the preparation and requirements for exchange programs. I actively prepared in the first semester of my senior year and successfully obtained the qualification to study at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, for one semester starting in January 2024. This opened a new chapter in my university life, expanding my international perspective and allowing me to meet students from various countries.

My exchange life at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where I met many friends from different countries.

This exchange experience was full of surprises. The learning environment and lifestyle were entirely different, which boosted my courage to communicate in English and significantly improved my language skills. I visited many natural attractions, each breathtakingly beautiful and indescribable in any language. The majestic scenery left a lasting impression, and only by stepping onto that land can one truly experience its grandeur.

Through this exchange experience, I not only enhanced my ability to live independently but also deeply understood the substantial differences between traveling and studying abroad. Although I had traveled to other countries and experienced brief landscapes and landmarks, traveling is more about sightseeing and lacks opportunities for genuine interaction with locals. During my study abroad, I made friends from various places, enriching my cultural exchange experiences and feeling the warmth and friendliness of different countries. Through these interactions, I gained a deeper understanding of local life, culture, and history.

Some places can only be truly experienced by stepping onto them, feeling their grandeur beyond words.

Living a Life Worth Remembering

During my four years at university, I experienced many ups and downs, including disruptions caused by the pandemic. However, isn't life always about growing through adversity? I look forward to maintaining this courageous spirit when I enter society.

Finally, I want to share a lyric from the late musician DJ Avicii:

One day you’ll leave this world behind, so live a life you will remember.

One day, we will all leave this world, so why not live a life worth remembering? I hope everyone can create their own exciting life and bravely live their brightest self!

Bravely living my brightest self!