[Graduation series] Graduates Studying Abroad

The bright and hot summer comes to Guangzhou again, so does the graduation ceremony. Senior GDUFSers will say goodbye to the university that has accompanied them for four years. For their future, some choose to find a great job, some choose to further their studies and some choose to study abroad. Today, we have invited three graduates who have chosen to study abroad to share their thoughts and experience.

HUANG Jiayi: studying abroad means encountering diversity

As studying abroad becomes a common choice for most graduates to obtain further studies, you can almost find mountains of reasons for it. When asked why she wanted to study in England after graduation, HUANG Jiayi, a graduate from the Faculty of Chinese Language and Culture, said, “I will have chances to encounter different mindsets and experience a distinct culture.”

To explain this in detail, she shared her one-semester experience as an exchange student in Korea. “The atmosphere in classes is more active compared to domestic classes that I took.” HUANG said, “Teachers all want to hear earnest responses and genuine ideas from students.” Additionally, she found it interesting to chat with students from diverse countries. “All the students in my class are exchange students. Sometimes, when we choose a topic, we can surprisingly find cultural diversity through others’ different answers.” While they chatted about different countries’ daily customs, she learnt that Russians really like drinking alcohol and the Japanese are used to exchanging presents or letters. “We never lack topics. The more I talk with them, the more I find that world is miraculous – no matter whether similarity or diversity.” However, HUANG’s nostalgia was aroused sometimes, especially by food. “Korean people are accustomed to spicy food. So, you can imagine how afflicted I was as a girl with bland taste. Every time I ate something too hot, I will miss those Guangdong delicacies like Siu Mei.” Despite this, HUANG still enjoys all those new tastes and diverse lifestyles. She even misses one of the Korean food highlights much - Kimchi - after returning home.

Choosing to get a further education abroad always means many obstacles. Fortunately, HUANG was backed by her sensible parents all the time. “My parents have offered me much respect and support since my childhood. They expect I grow to maturity through widening my horizons and enriching my experiences.” Also, when asked what words from her parents impressed her most, she mentioned, “My mum once said, ‘earning more money matters naught on the decision to send you abroad. We merely wish you having more choices for your own life.’”

CHENG Chunchuan: keep exploring and embrace more opportunities.

After graduation, CHENG Chuchuan, a graduate from the Faculty of English Language and Culture, chose to go to the USA for further study. “I am still young and I think I should continue learning, since there is still a lot to explore. After studying at home for all these years, I am keen to go abroad for further study and embrace more opportunities,” he said.

When tracing back to the origin of this determination, he mentioned that he once went to the USA for vacation study after finishing middle school. “Meeting various cultures and studying in a different atmosphere offered me a brand-new experience and I am fond of it.” This experience gave him the idea of going abroad when he was in high school. However, his parents thought taking the “GaoKao (the College Entrance Examination in China) was more suitable for him. He also wasn’t determined to go abroad at that time. Therefore, he decided to finish his undergraduate study in China.

Before going abroad, you need to be well prepared. Talking about his preparation for further study, CHENG said the whole process was a little complicated. He started preparing the materials in the Junior year. Language tests, the examinations of the majors, interviews and applications are all needed. In addition, the social activities’ experiences are also important.

He also talked about his plan after going abroad. He has applied for several programs according to his major of the undergraduate stage and his preference. But he is still considering his final decision. When it comes to the further plan after graduating from the postgraduate study, he would like to work abroad for a period of time and then go back to his hometown.

“Studying abroad allows me to explore the world and embrace more opportunities. But it may also bring me burdens. Dealing with assignments and papers might be a great challenge to me. Also, language will also be an obstacle.”

LIANG Jingyi: studying abroad makes me more qualified

LIANG Jingyi, a graduate from the French Department who is now studying Applied Foreign Language in France, thinks it necessary to study abroad for the students learning a foreign language. Before she went to France, she had prepared for about a year with the support from her family: going through multiple examinations such as TOFEL, GMAT and DALF (the Diploma in Advanced French) test, doing the necessary paperwork and applying for the visa.

During the application process, she told us that waiting was the most unbearable thing. She also stated that the application process involves many multiple-choice questions, so the process is also like a quest for finding her true self. In terms of choosing France as her destination, she attributed partly to her being a French major student, also to France’s huge influence in the fields of arts, literature and philosophy, and finally, to her fondness for the French culture.

When asked about why she chose to continue her academic training abroad rather than find a job or study in China, she answered that it would make her better understand the French culture and she wanted to do a job concerning her major in the future, and also she didn’t think she was qualified enough for her dream job with only a bachelor’s degree. However, unlike many students studying abroad, she will come back to China after she gets her degree. “There are more opportunities in China”, she told us.

At last, she shared with us that despite her experience as an exchange student in her junior year giving her some advantages in the classes in France, it’s still a real challenge to keep up with the students in France, for they often have a clear plan about the future and they are better at critical thinking.

At last

Studying abroad requires great courage, it brings challenges but also valuable experience. Let’s wish all senior GDUFSers choosing to study abroad have a bright future, just like the summer in Guangzhou.