Shangyi Xiong
Hometown: Chongqing, China
University: University of Illinois
Major: Engineering, Undeclared
BIOGRAPHY
Hi I'm Shangyi, I'm an international student here in UIUC at class of 2019, majoring undeclared engineering. I come from Chongqing, a midwest city in China. I love challenging myself, so I'm here for a brand-new life. During my spare time, I usually play tennis and go to gym.
PERSONAL STATEMENT
Two years ago, my grandfather died of lung cancer, and it was one year and a half since he was diagnosed. He chose not to use chemotherapy, because he wanted to enjoy the last year of his life and then die decently. During the beginning of that year, my mother always took my grandpa travel to a lot of cities in China. Later, he has no energy to travel any more, he has to stay in hospital. He even couldn't speak because he's too weak. The day that he died was the morning of my final exam. My mother planned to pick me after the exam, in the afternoon, but she didn't. Then I knew my grandpa was gone. One day, you suddenly knew your close person was diagnosed cancer; One day, he's gone. It was so painful for my family because it was the first time that my family experienced losing someone. True, I could do little to save others' lives, but there are also a lot we could do.