About

NOW

Last updated: April 29, 2024

I'm currently on a backpacking trip around Asia. Right now, I'm in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Me in One Minute

Made in China and assembled in the United States. Currently, I live in a suburb outside of Philadelphia.

  • 1984 to 1995: Born. Lived in the Hepingli neighborhood in Beijing, China, with my grandma and grandpa. Attended elementary school up to the fifth grade.
  • 1995 to 2003: Moved to the United States. Lived in Madison, NJ. Went to public schools. Spent the summer of 2003 traveling around the United States for 45 days on Greyhound buses.
  • 2003 to 2006: Went to the University of Rochester in upstate New York and graduated with a BA in chemistry, pre-med, and a certificate of management.
  • 2003 to 2018: Held photography and art exhibitions in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York. Taught myself web development off and on.
  • 2011 to 2013: Went to Lehigh Carbon Community College in Schnecksville, PA, for ten classes in computer science and web development. Didn't receive a degree.
  • 2014 to 2015: Returned to University of Rochester, this time at the Simon Business School. Obtained a MS in finance degree.
  • 2015 to 2016: Briefly moved to New York City for an unpaid internship. Couldn't find a job in finance and didn't pass the first actuary exam. Traveled to Europe for the first time. Completed a summer architecture program at Harvard University Graduate School of Design in Cambridge, MA.
  • 2016 to 2018: Worked as a web application developer in Fort Washington, PA. Bicycled across America in 100 days from April 12 to July 20, 2018.
  • 2019 to 2023: Started my second web developer job. Hated it and quit after four months. Worked at Vanguard as an application engineer for 3+ years. Cycled from King of Prussia, PA, to Gainesville, FL. Currently, I'm backpacking in Asia.

Favorite Posts

My most meaningful cycling memories and thoughts about certain things.

Social

  • Facebook - My personal account for friends. I also belong to these groups:
    • Long Distance Cyclists
    • Bicycle Travellers
    • Warmshowers.org
    • Priority Bicycles Riders and Friends
  • Instagram - My photos from my travels
  • www.hiattzhao.com - My photography portfolio over the past 20 years or so

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