Welcome to my page

I am Yichen SHEN, a Year 4 undergraduate majoring in Information Engineering at City University of Hong Kong. It is an honor that our paths have crossed—welcome.

This summer, I bid farewell to CityU as I embark on a new chapter at the University of Tokyo, where I will pursue my master’s degree. This journey is the culmination of my struggles and aspirations—a pursuit of a life richer in both purpose and opportunity, vital for my work and research. Much, like me, has evolved since my last reflection.

At this juncture, I finally find a moment to pause amidst the busyness of life and truly reflect. I stand here, bidding adieu to my past—a past where I began later than many, with few accolades to claim. Have I amassed numerous achievements since then? Perhaps I have grown compared to those earlier years, yet still lag behind the remarkable milestones of my peers. And maybe that is enough, at least for now, to allow me to settle and contemplate what my future holds. I remain passionate about my current pursuits, but I wonder—what of the unexplored realms of possibility?

As I say farewell to the past, I do so with deep gratitude. The struggles, the aspirations, the decisions, and the efforts of my former self have laid the very foundation for the future I am building. Whether I eventually traverse a different path or continue to delve into the world of engineering and research, the past will never be wasted. It is the prologue to an unfolding journey—a call to embrace new experiences and, perhaps one day, to rediscover who I am meant to be.

Standing in the present; fighting for the future.

I am Yichen SHEN, an undergraduate student majoring in Information Engineering. It is lucky for me to be found here.

As a third-year student, the aspirations for my future urge me to reflect on my experiences. Sitting in a quiet corner of the campus, I let my memories transport me back three years.

I entered the City University of Hong Kong through the National University Entrance Examination (Gaokao) as a Bachelor of Architecture and Civil Engineering. Honestly, I had never really taken the time to think deeply about what I truly loved before deciding on my major. Pressured by time, I chose Architecture, following in the footsteps of my uncle, whom I have always admired.

However, once I began my major courses, I realized they were different from what I had imagined. While I love architecture, pursuing it as a career didn't resonate with me as I thought it would. It was during this period of self-discovery that I found my true passion: Electrical Engineering. Though I shifted my focus after my first year, I harbor no regrets. I don’t believe that year was wasted—rather, it helped shape who I am, but that's a story for another time.

This marked the beginning of everything. I quickly progressed in my courses and even began conducting research driven by my interests. My first project involved parallel computing/code design/security/distributed storage. I found a mentor who introduced me to this research field, leading to an unforgettable journey into academia.

My broad range of interests led me to explore Machine Learning. Working across different fields has enhanced my flexibility in thinking. In ML, I was thrilled to discover ways to integrate my previous research experiences.

As I continue to navigate my academic and professional journey, I am committed to pursuing excellence and innovation. My experience has taught me the value of resilience and adaptability, qualities that I strive to embody as I prepare for a future where I can contribute meaningfully to the field of Information Engineering. Thank you for taking the time to read about my journey; I look forward to the exciting challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.