International Undergraduate Student Writing Contest

First Place:  Yu Chen

Essay: “Echoes without voices: AI and the hollowing of meaning”

Instructor: Shauna Crowther

Yu Chen is a sophomore from Wenzhou, China, majoring in Biology.

“I have always loved writing and journaling my thoughts. When I read a book I admire, I often try writing in the author’s style to understand how language shapes meaning. I am especially drawn to the idea that ‘the limits of language are the limits of one’s world,’ and my essay was inspired by thinking about how meaning and context can be stripped away in today’s fragmented information environment, especially with the rise of AI. I enjoy reading widely, from ancient Chinese literature to modern American works. At the same time, I am fascinated by understanding the natural world through subjects like physics, chemistry, and biology. As a biology major, I hope to pursue a career in healthcare where I can witness moments ‘when humanity’s brightest stars shine’.”

Second Place: Amber Tian

Essay: “Beyond Screen Time: How Social Media Use and Personality Shape Students’ Energy and Motivation”

Instructor: Danielle Scheffler

Amber Tian is a freshman from Beijing, China, majoring in Computer Engineering and Physics.
“Writing gives me a way to explore ideas that matter to me and to better understand both myself and the world around me. I believe the world around us is like a mirror, it reflects our passion and love while also revealing our frustrations and vulnerabilities. I am interested in interdisciplinary fields that connect engineering, physics, and machine learning. In the future, I hope to help develop experiments or devices that might deepen our understanding of the microscopic world, as it might reveal more about time, motion, and magnetic fields.”

Two Runners Up:  

1). Chloe Guo

Essay: “Motivating ADHD: The Power of Interest-Based Frameworks in Early Education”

Instructor: Danielle Scheffler

Chloe Guo is a freshman from Jinan, China, majoring in Actuarial Science.

“For me, writing is a way to explore topics of personal interest, while also helping to spark my creativity. I chose to focus on ADHD is because although the term is now widely recognized (even abused), the current educational system often fails to address the unique needs of this group. Beyond academic pursuits, I have a deep passion for music; I hope to engage in various music-related activities and explorations.

 

2). Miguel Pereira Lima

Essay: “Ambiversion, extraversion and leadership: how referring to both sides of the same coin is better than to just one”

Instructor: Danielle Scheffler

 Miguel Pereira Lima is a freshman from São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil, and a prospective major in Computer Science. 

“Writing feels like a chore at the start of the writing process for me, but once I pick up the pace I cannot stop writing! In the end, I usually extrapolate word limits and have a lot of pruning to do, but by then the essay is already completed so I can finally take a breather! I chose this topic due to how relatable I find it, which is mainly due to identifying as an ambivert myself and wanting to learn more about any exclusive traits of this particular archetype. I am also quite interested in psychology, sustainability and programming, with the last forming the basis for my wish to become a Software Engineer in the future!”

First Place: Yijia Zhang

Essay: “When Emojis Confuse Instead of Clarify: Understanding the Impact of Platforms, Age, and Culture”

Instructor: Danielle Scheffler

Yijia Zhang is a freshman from Beijing, China, majoring in Mathematics for Data Science.

“I enjoy writing because it gives me time to reflect and organize my thoughts, allowing for clearer and more thoughtful expression. I chose this topic because I often use emojis to make online communication feel warmer and more approachable. However, I’ve been curious about how universal emojis actually are, especially considering how their meanings can vary across different platforms, age groups, and cultural backgrounds. I’m interested in mathematics and its applications in health-related fields. I plan to pursue graduate studies after completing my undergraduate degree.”

Second Place: Naqib Bin Mohd Nazri

Essay: “The Impact of Childhood Trauma on Perfectionism in Adulthood”

Instructor: Lidka Rao

Naqib Nazri is a sophomore from Johor Bahru, Malaysia, and a major in Data Science & Economics.

“Personally, I think writing is an effective tool for expressing complex ideas in your own words without restrictions. My motivation for choosing this topic stems from my curiosity about what causes some university students to excel to the point that they become afraid and anxious about facing failure. I am eager to continue my journey with data, specifically in the field of economics. As I have a passion for economics, I want to explore it further by becoming an analyst.”

Two Runners Up: 

1). Mingwei Zhang 

Essay: “Click, Share, Discriminate? The Role of Social Media in Amplifying Different Discrimination”

Instructor: Karen Best

2). Yuhan Xing

Essay: “The Extent to Which Psychological Measures Are Exploited By Magicians”

Instructor: Karen Best

Yuhan Xing, from Hangzhou, China, is currently a freshman and major in electrical engineering.

“Writing is never easy for me, so I find it especially important to find a topic that interests me; and to get myself to sit down and start typing, things became easier after starting. I chose this topic because I have always been fascinated by magicians and watched a lot of magic shows since I was a kid. I hope to have a wonderful experience for my time here at UW and to continue learning and experiencing new things.”

 

First Place:

Hiroaki Taniyama (Instructor: Karen Best)

Second Place:

Abigail Wu (Instructor: Shauna Crowther)

Two Runners Up: 

• Xingrun Lu (Instructor: Stephen Timm)
• Ralitsa Wong (Instructor: Jenny Wilson-Farley)