Fun Facts
- My Chinese name is 丛天越, and it carries a special meaning in Chinese. My family name, 丛, is pronounced the same as 从, which essentially means "from" in English. My given name, 天越, can be broken down into 天 ("sky") and 越 ("to cross" or "overcome"). Together, my name can be interpreted as "crossing or overcoming (any obstacle) through the sky." Shout out to my dad for giving me this name—I think it's pretty cool 😎!
- I am good at forming mental maps that guide spacial navigation in daily life 🗺️⁀જ✈︎.
- I recognize faces more easily than names ᕙ( •̀ ᗜ •́ )ᕗ.
- I used to play soccer in elementary school before switching to basketball after becoming a fan of the U.S. basketball team during the 2008 Beijing Olympics 🏆.
- I am the first in my family that studies abroad 🎓.
- I adopted a cute cat 🐱 called Burrata (yes, say cheese ✌️) in January 2025.
I Like
- Playing pool 🎱
- Playing basketball 🏀
- Hiking 🥾
- Photography 📸
- Detective novels and movies 🕵🏻♂️
- Shiba Inu (cause they are so cute!!!) 🐶
- Kart 🏎️
Travel / Geography
- I was born and raised in Shanghai, China, a city I deeply cherish for its unique blend of tradition and modernity. From its vibrant culture to its mouth-watering cuisine—like Xiaolongbao (小笼包), Palmier (蝴蝶酥), and Braised Pork Belly (红烧肉)—Shanghai has always held a special place in my heart.
- I pursued my undergraduate studies in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province. During those four years, I developed a deep appreciation for Cantonese culture. I found the sound of Cantonese beautiful, with its rhythmic tones and pronunciation enhancing the appeal of Cantonese music. I also fell in love with the incredible Cantonese cuisine, such as home-made dim sum (粤式点心), Steamed Vermicelli Roll (肠粉), Sizzling Chicken Casserole (啫啫煲).
- I have been to approximately 40 cities in China. Among them, Guangzhou, Quanzhou, and Suzhou (yes, they all end with zhou, roughly meaning "county" in English) are my favorites ⭐.
- One of my biggest regrets is that I haven't yet visited provinces renowned for their natural landscapes 🏞️, such as Tibet, Xinjiang, and Gansu.
- Before pursuing my master’s degree in the U.S., I visited once during high school for a Model United Nations conference. It feels like fate that I had the opportunity to study in Chicago 🌇—the city I fell in love with back then for its impressive skyscrapers and clean streets.
- After exploring both the west and east coasts of America, I've grown fond of many places: the sunshine of California, the breathtaking views of Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park, and the cozy charm of Providence, Rhode Island.
- Some of the top countries on my travel wishlist include Singapore, England, Germany, and Argentina.
I Dream Of
- Advancing therapeutic techniques for the treatment of mental disorders 🧠🩹.
- Staying agile to the constntly evovling world 🎯.
- Crafting mouth-watering dishes everyone gives thumbs-up 👨🍳.
- Drifting through winding roads ⛐, feeling the thrill of the car gliding with precision as I navigate each turn.