Tell me a little bit about your journey to the Academy? 
It was really hard for me to decide on a specific major to study, because I have a wide range of interests, from arts to humanities to business and information system. The Iovine and Young Academy caught my eye immediately when I was browsing through USC's brochure. I was drawn to the extraordinary and hands-on curriculum that integrates diverse fields like design, computer science, entrepreneurship, and communication! 

Describe a passion project you’re currently working?  
I am currently working on the photos I took during my trip to Thailand and US West Coast this past summer.

What inspired the project?  
I think it's just my own passion about capturing the little moments in life in photography and sharing it to the world. I really like photography's power in creating stories in powerful ways.  

Inspired by Marc Riboud’s famous quote, “taking pictures is savoring life intensely, every hundredth of a second,” my photos reflect my most sincere sentiments for many momentary but enlightening encounters. Each of these photograph has a captivating story to tell at a specific frozen moment. From landscape photography to street photography, every shot tells their unique stories through my personal lens.

Is there a leader or mentor who inspires you?  
Elon Musk. I'm amazed by how he is leading humanity in so many different fields. 

Is there an inspirational quote you live by? 
"An unexamined life is not worth living." - Socrates  
“And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” -The Little Prince  

What are three goals you have this year?  

Meditate every single day and maintain positivity

Describe one thing most people don’t know about you?  
I need time every day to be alone to refuel myself and organize the thoughts in my head! It could be a late night walk and I love that!

What is one thing your parents taught you that you’d like to share?  
"When the going gets tough, the tough get going." 

What are the essential things you always keep in your backpack?  
My laptop, wallet, water bottle, portable charger, headphones, Kindle  

Favorite app or website?  
YouTube: I can spend so much time watching all different kinds of creative content, from esoteric knowledge to entertaining comedy.  

Favorite class at USC and why?  
Oh this is a hard question! I love all my classes at the Academy! They are all so cool and practical. Besides Academy classes, I love my GE Seminar, Mindfulness in Cultural Practices; we get to delve into meditation in different cultures and actually meditate with our professor in class. It was super fun. 

Favorite way to de-stress:  
Meditate, go to the gym, listen to music  

Guilty Pleasure? 
Watching Silicon Valley and eating the crepes with ice cream at the dining hall.  

Fresh Encounters: Andy Hsu

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