Ready to Fly

The International College, standing at the southern end of the North Campus, is at the heart of GDUFS’ exchange programs. Students there are taught by foreign teachers from the universities they plan to apply for, and so they experience the closest they can get to “pure” foreign teaching style – while still being 6000 miles away.

After only having the first class, all of these ready-to-go students were impressed by the teaching method. Different from their Chinese counterparts, teachers from Coventry University are required to scatter the seeds of the ideas and ask students to foster them. In other words, students have to acquire knowledge by themselves and adjust to group work, which is the teaching principle of many foreign universities. “It brings more challenges to us,” a student said, “but it paves the way for our further education.”

When asked about the benefits of being students in the International College, they answered that GDUFS offered them a window to the world and laid the foundation for their future careers. GDUFS always pays great attention to internationalization; as a result of it, students here are eager to embrace the world. In addition, compared with their peers, they thought they had become “more open”. They now are able to deal with cultural conflicts with skill and ease, and are willing to accept new ideas.

A student even described his most impressive experience of giving presentations. It was an introduction to his imaginary international corporation named San Chen. “My teacher asked me why I chose a Chinese name for an international corporation,” he said, “which seemed less international.” After a brief consideration, the student explained that the name was just a symbol and did not influence the business; besides, many foreign corporations’ names were in their native language. “My teacher appreciated my wise answer,” he added, “and I learn that there is always another way to think.”

Being ready to go aboard for continuing education, these students now are preparing for IELTS with all their strength. Though some of them have never been to foreign countries, they believe that Coventry University is a broader horizon waiting for them.