Profile

Wang Yizhuo，is a student of class 2018 majoring in Hotel and Exhibition Management at International College(IC), Xiamen University (XMU). After finishing the study at IC, she went to University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) in the United Kingdom to complete her subsequent undergraduate studies and received a bachelor's degree in Exhibition Management.

After graduation, she returned to China to participate in a number of social practice activities, and successively received postgraduate admission offers from the University of Southampton, University of Birmingham, University of York, and Royal Holloway, University of London. In September this year, she will go to the University of Southampton to study for a master's degree in Digital Marketing.

Choosing International College, XMU

I like Xiamen very much, and have always longed to have the opportunity to study at XMU, so I paid attention to any keywords related to XMU. Later, through the recommendation of my family and friends, I learned about International College Xiamen University. As an enthusiast for XMU, it is a rare opportunity, after consulting with my family and careful evaluation, I came to International College, Xiamen University.

The program of IC is very appealing to me. I like the UK very much. After graduating from junior high school, I plan to go abroad. I have always paid attention to topics related to studying abroad. However, because I don’t understand the teaching methods in the UK, and I’m not independent enough, I have always lacked the courage to take action. The program planning of IC not only conforms to my eager desire to go abroad, but also gives me some buffer time so that I can be fully prepared and better adapt to the independent study life abroad.

Gains and Growth at IC

At International College, the first thing I gained was my own growth. Here I not only gained many good friends, but also cultivated my ability to study and live independently, so as to prepare myself for studying abroad in the future.

The opening ceremony of Class of 2018 and it is also the beginning of military training

Second, I was impressed by the way the teachers taught. For example, Ms. Wang Roujie, she always prepares every English class carefully, is very responsible for each of us, and can always combine the difficult content with the specific situation in life, explain the profound things in simple terms, which make us feel that we are not passively accepting English knowledge, but learn English with self-drive and interest; In professional classes, we need to learn how to serve wine. Ms. Shi Fengxia will bring wine glasses and red wine into the class, so that each of us can learn and practice by hands, which are more vivid and easy to understand than simple books and video lectures.

Ms. Wang Roujie's English class 

Ms. Shi Fengxia's class

In addition, the program of UCLan is very rich in activities. My favorite is the cultural exchange activities. At that time, a group of students of UCLan came to exchange from the UK. In order to better showcase Chinese culture, we carefully organized and planned activities such as understanding Chinese characters and practicing calligraphy. Through mutual exchanges, I also have a certain understanding of British culture, which will help me to better integrate into the life of studying in the UK in the future.

Display of Chinese character works written by everyone

Quickly Adapt to the Life in the UK

After studying in the UK, I found that teamwork is very important in the classroom. Fortunately, after a year of study and exercise in International College, I have developed a certain teamwork ability and can adapt to the British teaching model quickly.

The First Team Work I Participated in the UK

I also actively joined the Chinese Students and Scholars Association of the University of Central Lancashire (hereinafter referred to as UCLan CSSA), participated in the election and successfully served as the head of the activities department of the 2021 CSSA. In a year’s time, I actively planned more than 10 activities together with my department members, including freshmen parties, Halloween makeup competitions, food competitions, etc., and took the initiative to serve as the host of the Singer Competition and the 2021 Online Spring Festival Gala at Preston. These activities are both rich and meaningful, which not only allow me to quickly improve my abilities in all aspects, but also allow me to integrate into the study life in the UK faster.

The Sing Competition 

                     Hosting the online Spring Festival Gala

The Sing Competition at Preston

I would also like to thank the friends I met at IC, whose company made my study abroad life full of warmth. We went to the UK together. When we had time, we would meet to buy food, cook, participate in social activities, and travel together, etc. We encouraged each other and solved various difficulties together. This friendship is rare and precious, and we are still in touch with each other till now, helping each other in life and work.

  Celebrate Chinese New Year together

Photo taken at Iceland

Planning and Outlook

After graduation, I did not apply for a master's degree immediately, but chose a GAP year. I wanted to use this year to settle myself, let myself have a clearer goal of career planning, and then work hard towards the goal.

I only became aware of career planning at the end of my sophomore year. At that time, I was an intern in Ipsos Marketing Consulting Company in Shanghai. Most of the interns are from Fudan University, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics and QS top 50 foreign universities. I found that they are very clear about their future development direction, and they clearly know their strengths and weaknesses that need to be compensated. In the multiple communications and conversations with them, I have been greatly inspired and have a clearer understanding of my future career. Therefore, I need time and energy to practice and learn more about professional skills. While the high-pressure one-year postgraduate study in my class is not enough time for internship and practice, so GAP year is the best choice for me.

Now, I have had two internship experiences, and I am growing at a fast speed. During my internship, I got a lot of guidance from my predecessors and accumulated a lot of work skills. Recently, I am preparing to join Baidu, hoping to continue to enrich myself before going to the UK for postgraduate study.

Photos with teachers and classmates

There is no best decision, only the best decision for you. "The realization of any dream is the result of continuous efforts." If you keep working hard, good luck will hit you. I hope everyone will never stop learning! I wish the students a bright and splendid future! At the same time, I also wish the teachers of International College, Xiamen University good health and smooth work!