McGill Alumni Portal

Ever since she was a young student growing up in Hong Kong, Karen Tsang BSc’07, MSc’10, has set her own heart on a career in cardiology.

“I’ve always want to spend my life and career helping others regardless of whether they are rich or poor,” she says.

McGill’s Hong Kong and Mainland China Entrance Scholarship and Bursary Program set Karen on the road to turn that dream into a reality.

“After completing my Hong Kong Advanced Level Exam I wanted to study abroad,” says Karen. “I was lucky to be awarded a scholarship that supported my whole undergraduate studies at McGill.”

“But that support did more than just cover my fees, books and living expenses,” she says. “In addition to a great science education, studying at McGill gave me wonderful things like a broader perspective on many issues in society as well as the opportunity to understand people from other parts of the world.”

“That experience wouldn’t have been possible for me without the generous donations of my fellow alumni to the scholarship program.”

Now studying third-year Medicine at the University of Hong Kong, the McGill Science graduate acknowledges the importance of perseverance and hard work in her chosen field. She also credits her academic success so far to particular individuals who had faith in her. These include her family, faculty supervisors and other students.

Some McGill-trained doctors have also taken Karen under their wing and are taking the time to guide her career path.

“McGill taught me life isn’t just about school,” she says. “When I was younger, I guess I was a bit of a study nerd. However, at McGill I saw how students could be involved in music, drama, yoga, sports and other extra-curricular activities, while still doing very well academically.”

“I learned how studying smarter gives you more time to do other fun things in life, which reduces stress and then you can do even better!”

Karen believes these broader aspects of her undergraduate life will make her a better doctor.

“My McGill experiences have helped me reach out to people and learn to put myself into other’s shoes,” she says. “I think that quality is especially important for a cardiologist who, after all is dealing with the most important physiological and emotional organ of our body.”

“I’m very excited by this amazing prospect,” she adds. “As a friend of mine was saying I want to mend some broken hearts. I guess that’s it! ”

Do you want to support deserving and motivated students like Karen Tsang? You can do so by donating to McGill’s Hong Kong and Mainland China Entrance Scholarship and Bursary Program.

For further information, please contact:
Alvin Chung, MA’99
Director, Development and Alumni Relations
McGill University Hong Kong and Mainland Office
alvin.chung@mail.mcgill.ca.

- By Richard Andrews