Constance Hu

As the pinnacle of global veterinary education, admission to the Royal Veterinary College is nothing short of a triple test of "academics + practice + passion". Data shows that its undergraduate admission rate has long been below 12%, and international students have to compete with applicants from 49 countries for a place. In the 2025 application season, only few places were available for international students, and Constance, a founding student of NKCS, was one of the lucky few to secure an offer.In Constance's paper "The Challenges Faced by Veterinarians in the Ethical Dilemma of Euthanasia", what we see is not only her professional knowledge but also the global competence instilled by NKCS. With its precise personalized cultivation, NKCS has transformed her seemingly unattainable dream into a solid and achievable reality.

At NKCS, every student with a unique dream can receive comprehensive support and assistance from the school. Today, let's embark on Constance's journey of pursuing her dream together and see how, with the accompaniment of NKCS, she is taking steps towards her dream institution, the Royal Veterinary College (RVC).

1. Breaking the Cocoon: The Awakening on Horseback

Constance has had an affinity with animals from an early age, first falling in love with horses whilst in England during Christmas 2014. From that very first encounter a passion for equestrianism blossomed, with countless hours spent engaged in dedicated training and care for the animals she calls her closest friends. Competing and training over a number of years, achieving the Chinese National 3 show jumping and competing up to 125cm, understanding how to interact with horses, recognise their emotions and protect their welfare became pivotal.

“They are my teammates, my mentors and most importantly my best friends who cannot speak but will always listen and be there for me.”   When Constance's horse fell ill in February 2022, she remained with her around the clock, sleeping overnight in the stable, despite the winter cold, supporting the team of vets and coaches working tirelessly to keep her horse alive.  Not being there wasn’t even a consideration.  A vet of the future was born.

Constance's passion for becoming a veterinarian was evident early on. She has been volunteering at an animal shelter since 2023, demonstrating a level of care and attention to detail that is truly commendable. A notable example of her dedication occurred during an equestrian competition. She noticed her horse's reluctance to perform a high jump and discovered an injury that had been overlooked. She prioritized the well-being of the horse and chose to withdraw. This incident speaks volumes about her empathy, her commitment to animal welfare, and her courage to stand up for what she believes is right.

2. Tempering:Redefining the Profession of "Veterinarian"

Throughout her high school years Constance has been quietly dedicated to making a difference for animals.  Supporting the local animal shelter, raising funds and volunteering, and exploring the multifaceted world of animal husbandry and veterinary medicine.

| Contance在流浪基地做志愿者

Her two-year internship in a local small animal vet practice introduced her to the world of domestic animal care and owner education.  Supporting the vet team and observing their work, she developed her understanding of preventative and emergency medicine and even performed the neuter operation for a rescue cat, whom she later adopted. Further clinical experience in an equine hospital in China and the Queen Mother Veterinary Hospital in the UK had a profound impact on her understanding of what it really means to protect the welfare of animals and the incredible actions that veterinary surgeons take every single day. “The incredible skills and expertise in these world class clinal centres really opened my eyes to the complexity of the role as a veterinarian.”

Two weeks spent working on dairy farms in England opened Constance's eyes to the huge responsibility farmers have to ensure the safety and happiness of the animals that provide us all with food, and opened her eyes to the role that veterinarians play in this complex industry.  She saw the impact that excellent welfare has on animals and the life they lead, and the huge commitment required from the farming community to secure this, firmly cementing in her mind that this higher welfare approach is non-negotiable.

Constance's summer studies at the Royal Veterinary College Pre-Vet Summer School intensified her dream of achieving a place at RVC for undergraduate studies.  She was awarded the Shining Star award at the end of the programme and returned to China with a new determination to return to the university of her dreams.

3. Enrichment:Cross-border Growth Shapes Future Medical Practitioner

Constance joined NKCS in 2018 as a founding student and became a founding member of the volleyball team.  Growing with the team from a junior member, to captaining NKCS U19 girls as they were crowned Wuxi Volleyball Champions in 2024.  An active member of The Student Council as Head of Senior Prefects in Grade 11 and Head Girl in Grade 12, Constance honed her leadership and collaborative skills working with this dedicated group of students and through her participation in the Duke of Edinburgh International Award, as a member of the school’s first group of students striving to complete their Gold Award.

One of Constance’s most admirable qualities is her ability to delve deeply into complex issues. As a mixed-race child, she has conducted in-depth research on topics related to mixed-race identity. Her exploration of this subject has been profound and insightful. She once delivered a TEDx speech on the issue of mixed-race identity, which caused a great sensation and had a significant impact on our school community.Her speech helped many mixed-race students find a sense of identity and belonging within the school.

She is always eager to answer questions and often leads group discussions, showcasing her leadership skills and teamwork spirit.

Herquestions and contributions are thoughtful and insightful, focusing on the “why” and“how” rather than just the “what.” For example, during one class discussion on the portrayal of immigrant experiences, she asked, “Why do some immigrant communities maintain certain cultural practices while adapting others in their new countries?” This kind of inquiry demonstrates her critical thinking skills and ability to engage deeply with complex topics.

All the experiences triggered her thoughts on animal welfare leading her to  write a research report on the Challenges Veterinarians Face During the Ethical Dilemma of Euthanasia. In addition to that, Constance signed up to be one of the keynote speakers for our school’s Tedx activity. Her speech inspired everyone to self-reflect and won a big success.

Now, as Constance is on the verge of entering the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), a top institution in veterinary medicine, she is bringing with her a perfect example of how a dream can be turned into reality. At NKCS, the essence of education is not about pruning, but about awakening; not about indoctrination, but about igniting.

In the eyes of Constance's mother, the determination and perseverance in her daughter have always been astonishing.“Constance never ceases to amaze me with her determination and grit. She sets a goal and tirelessly strives for it, in sports and academics, in a way that is genuinely inspiring. Seeing her genuine delight after veterinary clinical experiences in China and time spent at RVC Prevet was wonderful. Her adoration for the immersive work on the farms was infectious. There was no job too dirty, no morning too early and no experience too tiring. Her delight was tangible. She truly found her calling. Hopefully there will be plenty more joy and delight in her future career.”

In this magical school, NKCS, new dreams are always taking root and growing. When the morning sunlight sweeps across the fence of the equestrian training ground, it seems as if we can once again see the figure of that girl with a single ponytail riding towards us on horseback. The clatter of the horse's hooves is sounding the prelude to the next legend.