26 Jul 2019
The vast majority - 90 percent - of the more than 2,500 students who graduated with an honours degree at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University this week intend to pursue postgraduate study at universities across the world. This statistic illustrates the fact that XJTLU’s graduate as global citizens with international perspectives, who choose to follow career paths that can lead to all corners of the globe.
We spoke to four graduates on the first day of the 2019 Graduation Ceremonies to learn more about their own international journey and where their degrees may take them next.
Mark Kats
Degree: BA Urban Planning and Design Country of origin: Russia
“I chose to study at XJTLU because we know that China is a fast developing country.
"In the past four years I have had so many different experiences and opportunities to meet so many people that I wouldn’t have had studied near my home. This opportunity has also changed the way I work and interact with people and the way I view life.
"I’ve received much more than a degree; I’ve developed practical skills and people skills and obtained guidance from my teachers and support from my fellow students. Looking ahead I’m thinking of going to work in Singapore or Australia.”
Khalid Osman Abdulkadir
Degree: MSc Sustainable Energy Technology Country of origin: Eritrea.
“XJTLU is an international university where East meets West. This is very unique.
"Different ideological and cultural backgrounds coexist in harmony here. People from all over the world and from different cultural backgrounds gather together and exchange ideas in this University. Communicating with them has benefited me a lot.
"During 18 months of study here, I have improved not only my academic skills, but also the personal skills fostered by this diverse environment.
I’ll never forget the time I spent here.”
Jovana Lazarevic
Degree: MSc Multimedia Telecommunications Country of origin: Serbia
“In the beginning, I just wanted to study in China. Later, when I was looking for a masters programme, I found XJTLU. I chose it because of its good rankings. But after experiencing life here, I found it was the best option for me in addition to the rankings.
"The teachers here come from different countries and backgrounds. They taught me to look at the world with international perspectives. Here, I learnt not only academic knowledge but also all sides of the world.
"I learned far more than new knowledge at XJTLU -- I learnt a lot of things about myself and life, which I would have missed learning about if I had stayed in my hometown,
Studying and living in a different country alone made me break out of my comfort zone. I would say XJTLU helped make me a better me.”
Jacob Omari
Degree: MSc Sustainable Energy Technology Country of origin: Tanzania.
“I wanted to study in a British university and I also wanted to come to China – the opportunity to do both is why I decided to come here.
"XJTLU provides a lot of opportunities. I learnt a lot and the teachers here were very supportive. I am happy with my choice to study at an international university. Now I’ll return to my country to work and consider doing a PhD later.”
Stories compiled by Yuanxin Yang. Photography by Lindsey He
26 Jul 2019
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