Class of 2025: Dulwich Roots, Biotech Dreams - Meet Hana

Hana C is set to join Northwestern University to pursue Biological Sciences and Computer Science, drawn by its interdisciplinary approach and collaborative spirit. At Dulwich Pudong, she found inspiration in both academics and entrepreneurship, even co-founding a student-led lip balm brand, and leaves with strong friendships and a clear sense of purpose.

What do you intend to study and where, and why was this your choice?

I intend to major in the Biological Sciences and possibly Computer Science at Northwestern University. I chose Northwestern primarily because of its flexible and interdisciplinary curriculum and quarter system, which will allow me to explore my different interests simultaneously. During my university search, I prioritised universities with more collaborative environments, and I consistently found that Northwestern supports such a culture.

What were some of your most memorable experiences during your time at Dulwich Pudong?

One of my most memorable experiences would have to be AVE.301’s launch day in the piano area. AVE.301, a lip balm brand I co-founded with friends through the school’s Pioneering Spirit Grant, was a project we had worked on all summer. Seeing our vision materialise into physical products was so surreal. We introduced it during assembly and then set up the sale on the coming Friday.  The amount of students and teachers alike who showed up to support us was overwhelming. We sold over 100 lip balms during that very lunchtime. I still remember our little assembly line: packing, payments, handing out the products, adding stickers - it was chaotic yet so incredibly rewarding.

What are you going to miss most about Dulwich Pudong?

I’ll miss the community the most. Over the years, I’ve come to know so many people both within and outside of my year group. The community here is genuinely so welcoming and made me feel like I truly belonged - both the teachers and the students. The small size of our graduating class - around 50 people - meant that everyone in my year was friends with one another and I could just strike up a conversation with anyone in our common room and feel instantly at home.

Are there any teachers that you'd like to single out for thanks, and if so why?

I would like to thank Ms. Smith for making my biology lessons genuinely enjoyable. Her use of a variety of learning resources – posters, mindmaps, and especially Blookets – really helped me enjoy the subject in a memorable way.

I would also like to thank Mr. O’Neil for his support in Theory of Knowledge. Though ToK isn’t a traditional subject, it became one of my favourites because of its unique learning format: a small group with introspective discussions. I felt that it was a refreshing contrast to the intensity of IB, and I really appreciated his teaching. I believe his recommendation letter also made a meaningful difference in my college applications.

I must also mention Mr Man, who was always so kind and supportive in Chemistry, especially with the candy he provided on a daily basis.

And of course, I’d also like to thank Mr. Vilchez, Ms. Hart, Mr. Knowles, Mr. Fisher and Ms. Jiang for their guidance and support throughout IB. I couldn’t have made it this far without them.

Our vision is 'Live Worldwise'. What does this mean to you and why is it important to be a 'global citizen'?

‘Live Worldwise’ becomes very real when I look at our graduating class – a group soon to be scattered all around the world, each on their own path. To me, it means seeking out new experiences, seeing and learning about different worldviews, and being aware of the differences in the world around us that shape our society. I believe the importance of being a global citizen comes from this very awareness and not just recognising our privilege but using the opportunities given to make a positive difference in the world.

How did being at Dulwich Pudong prepare you for applying to university?

Mr Macdonald was incredibly helpful throughout the application writing process. I think I booked about 20 meetings in total to review my personal statements and supplemental essays. I came in with a few ideas that we discussed and developed together, and even when I changed my essay topics multiple times, our discussions always helped me improve. Mr Macdonald also took great care in writing my recommendation letter, and we had a long and thorough conversation about what I wanted to convey to the schools beforehand. Overall, the UCC team has been extremely supportive throughout the college application process, both for the US and UK systems.

Where do you imagine yourself in 30 years and what do you think your future self might say to you now?

In 30 years, I imagine myself working in the biotech field, possibly as a researcher or as a doctor, contributing to the greater good via scientific discoveries. It is my dream to eventually open a biotechnology-based company. I hope to continue working hard towards this goal: learning and gaining as much experience as I can. I think my future self would tell me to work hard and trust the process, but especially to do what I would truly enjoy.