Katherine Zhu determined to be a doctor.

Though grown up in Zhejiang Province, Zhu went to Yunnan Province to visit her grandfather. “I spent every spring festival with my grandpa when I was little.” Zhu recalled, “I like fried potato and I remember grandpa always cooked it first for me when preparing dinner.”

“Grandpa has four children. Kids attend college is rare in his time, and all his children did that. In ordering to afford the tuition fee, grandpa went to Yunnan alone to stat business from nothing and eventually became one of the most famous construction businessman in Yunnan.”

In his later year Zhu’s grandpa had a stroke and been in bad condition afterwards. Until his death Katherine Zhu failed to see him one last time.

“I didn’t cry on the day he’s gone.” she said, “but one day I went to swept his tomb I couldn’t help but cry. In a sudden it hit me that life is really short. Last second you were immersed in happiness but next destroyed by unexpected illness.”

Grandfather’s death has been Zhu’s regret. Since then she made up her mind to become a doctor, and protect people around her.

During the 2019 QEA winter university visits, Katherine was impressed by McMaster University and was so interested in its beautiful campus and its medical school.

To get into this university, Zhu was pushing herself hard. Her IELTS point was only 5.5 when she first came to QEA, which upsets her in a long period. Teachers persuaded her to try COPE, but she wanted to challenge herself to reach the 6.5 point. Reading was her weakness and she asked IELTS teachers helped her train it. After half a year’s effort of both sides, Zhu finally meet the requirement of university.

Meanwhile Zhu worked hard on regular courses and exercise actively. She gravitated to golfing and equestrian. “I never played it before.” She said, “But after taking the elite sources now I’m getting into it. I think I’ll play it with my friends later.”

Zhu was also a recognized leader. She organized the Terry Fox Run voluntary, planed dinner party with school principal for students to share learning skills and feelings. These activities helped her become outstanding and build up confidence. She also volunteered to join school peer tutoring. After pass the IELTS, she helped other students with it and shared her experience with others.

At the 2019 commencement, Zhu, as a student representative, summarized her growth during high school years and expressed her excitement about the future, just as she said: “In the future, we should take responsibilities on our own. Don’t waste time when you are in school and don’t be frustrated when you can’t find a good career for the future. Knowledge is not only the power but also the chance for you to explore the world.”

Zhu has received offers from Queen’s University, University of Toronto, University of Western Ontario and McMaster University. She still chose McMaster University which attracted her in the first place. She will study life science, preparing for her future medical career.

Zhu was very clear about her study direction: cell and cancer research. “Though cancer can hardly cure today, In the future, I want to save more life and help more families tortured by disease.”