SEED Student Story｜Hugo & Zero: A Twin Journey from Uncertainty into the World of Data

Not everyone knows where they’re headed at the start of their journey. But taking that first step can be all it takes to find your own direction. At SEED, we believe in the power of tech education to help young people discover themselves. Through real-world learning and hands-on experiences, they don’t just acquire technical skills — they also begin to see the paths uniquely meant for them. This is the story of twin brothers, Hugo and Zero, who once stood at the crossroads with no clear idea of what lay ahead.

Even among peers, the two couldn't be more inseparable — not just in looks, but in their shared sense of uncertainty in secondary school:

“I thought liking math meant I could only be a math teacher.”
“I was just following my friends. I didn’t really have a direction.”

Starting from doubt, they slowly stepped into the world of cloud computing and innovation through SEED’s structured coursework and work experience programs. Each step revealed a bit more of their own strengths and passions. In this story, we journey with them through their transformation.

From Interest to Direction: The Key That Unlocked a World of Tech

Hugo and Zero joined SEED Foundation’s Cloud Computing course and Workplace Experience Program (WXP) together. It began as a casual extracurricular experiment — but ended up becoming a life-changing discovery.

“We realized this course closely relates to what we’re now studying in college — things like Data Science, Statistics, and Business Intelligence.”

Previously, their understanding of the cloud was limited to basic tools like iCloud or Google Drive photo storage. But through SEED’s lessons, they saw for the first time how these technologies are deeply connected to real life and future careers.

Real-World Experience: Stepping Out from Textbooks into the Real-World

Throughout the program, the brothers each spent a month interning in a real workplace — getting their hands dirty and translating theory into practice.

For Zero, the most memorable internship was at Chinachem Group, where he helped build a data dashboard. He tracked every cloud expense of the company and even used AI tools to forecast future budgets.

“I realized how Statistics and Cloud Computing could be fused into something truly valuable for businesses.”

That experience gave Zero a deep understanding of cost control and flexible deployment in cloud systems — an insight he now applies to his college work, often going beyond his peers in structuring budget systems for his projects.

Meanwhile, Hugo interned at The Perceptual and Interactive Intelligence Lab at CUHK. His work there was a deep dive into problem-solving. Starting from scratch — assembling computers, running academic research, building websites — he acquired critical digital skills not taught in school.

“I learned how powerful Google Scholar is. I learned you don’t always have to memorize code to build a website.”

These skills, “unlocked” out of necessity, later became Hugo’s academic superpowers when he entered university.

Seeing the World — and Seeing Themselves

After the workplace experience, Hugo and Zero didn’t just come away with skills. They came away with clarity.

Hugo no longer saw himself boxed into just being “a future math teacher.” He discovered a deeper passion for development and innovation.

“I realized I could be a developer — building meaningful solutions with logic.”

For Zero, it was about growing out of passive inertia and finding real focus:

“I can finally say with confidence: I’m interested in IT. I want to be a data analyst.”

Through the dynamic structure of cloud systems and real-world challenges, Zero discovered how these traits resonated with his personality. Once his target became clear, the path no longer seemed uncertain. He had found his course — no longer adrift in the current, but steering with purpose.

Resilience in the Face of the Unknown: A Priceless Takeaway

Beyond technical knowledge, Hugo realized SEED’s greatest lesson was teaching them resilience in the face of the unknown.

“When your boss gives you a task and you have no idea how to do it — the pressure is real. But you can’t give up just because it’s hard.”

He learned that passion alone doesn’t sustain progress. Real strength is forged in practice — in making mistakes, trying again, learning how to search smart, and powering through uncertainty. This mental toughness — the mindset of “figuring it out even under pressure” — became his fuel for handling challenges ahead.

“Once you’ve learned a skill, it’s yours. It doesn’t disappear when the internship ends.”

That self-driven, resilient attitude shaped their ability to filter information quickly, stay focused, and take ownership of their growth. It turned them from passive students into active explorers.

Conclusion

Looking back, the two brothers went from stumbling through uncertainty to now clearly charting their place in the fast-evolving world of data and tech. And in that transformation, SEED was the key that unlocked their future.

At the end of the story, Hugo leaves a message for students just starting out — one that captures both his and Zero’s journey: “When opportunity shows up, grab it. Don’t let it slip away.”

At SEED, we’ve always believed that every young person holds immense potential. And with the right guidance and opportunities, they can step out of the fog — and find the direction that’s authentically theirs.