Having graduated from the Business School last year, Scott Lam had been looking for opportunities to achieve something he would feel proud of. Triggered by a friend who passed away young, Scott became more determined to step out of his “comfort zone” and look for an “unforgettable experience”.
With support and encouragement from his family, friends and the school, in 2011 Scott started a six-month working holiday in Australia and then cycled across the country for the next six months. “I hadn’t really seen the world, therefore I decided to find a way to experience things that I couldn’t here in Hong Kong, and to complete something I would be proud of forever,” he recalled.
Across Australia in 135 days
It took him 135 days to complete the arduous yet unforgettable journey across the Australian continent. Scott mostly all alone during the 8000 km adventure survived the barren wilderness, lost his way, camped next to expressways and asked strangers for shelter. He heard wild creatures creeping around his tent and made himself ready to “pounce” with a clasp knife. Fortunately, it was terrifying but not dangerous.
There were a few moments Scott wanted to give up because of loneliness, but he hung in there to fulfill his commitment. Day by day he learned how to overcome his fears and gained the ability to survive in the remote outback including catching fish in streams to appease his hunger.
Once-in-a-lifetime Experience
Scott said his journey was a truly rewarding and eye-opening experience, and he could only make such a trip once in a lifetime. He now works as an analyst in a well-known consultancy firm responsible for research and analysis. His supervisor knows about his adventure and appreciates his courage, and as a result he has been assigned different tasks including an opportunity to work outside Hong Kong.
“I will continue to venture out of my comfort zone and take on new challenges in different environments. I believe this spirit will bring me more opportunities ahead in my career development.”
Given the Chance to Choose
Scott in addition to family and friends thanks HKUST for supporting his plan and making his dream come true. He said HKUST has been encouraging students to innovate and expand their horizons by organizing different activities. For instance, he joined an exchange program to Harbin, which ignited his passion to see a wider world, and was also given a chance to share his adventure with a young wider audience.
Scott said he understood the dissatisfaction felt by some of the students these days, but suggested they involve themselves in the wealth of out-of-class activities, and exploit the opportunities and freedoms the school provides to students for the purpose of their holistic development. He hopes to see students and alumni continue to develop even stronger bonds with the school in future.
Scott said young people should do the things they obsess and are crazy about, hoping that his story would inspire other youngsters to boldly follow their dreams. Talking about his next adventure, Scott said he would have more to consider these days - stressing that we can only be young once.