Yuanlong Qiao, from China, will begin his Masters in Finance at Manchester Business School in the UK this fall. The 22-year-old says he loves the analytical and critical teaching methodology of the West which encourages him to ask questions and think independently.
Yuanlong is excited and a bit nervous about his master’s course. “I am excited because I will be living in a completely new city and get a chance to meet more amazing people. I am nervous because the master’s course may perhaps be difficult and I just don’t know what challenges might come to me,” he says.
Even when Yuanlong was sure what subjects he wanted to study, he did his research judiciously and well in time to select the right university. “Overall ranking, subject ranking, location, facilities available and placement opportunities were top on my list when choosing my university abroad. Luckily, I also got the chance to attend open days of some of the universities I was interested in and it really helped me decide where I wanted to go to.”
He sailed smoothly through the visa and application process because he “approached the process proactively” and stayed relaxed during the interviews and tests, which were pretty much straight-forward for him.
Yuanlong is comfortably able to meet the costs of his studies abroad, thanks to a generous scholarship and funding from his parents. Also, his pragmatic selection of a “sandwich course” at Loughborough University, in which students are offered opportunities to work full-time for one year in an industry relevant to their subject, proved to be of great help.
“Besides getting valuable work experience, I saved a lot of money working as a business analyst at General Motors UK & Ireland. I live in a self-catered university accommodation, which is cheaper than most options, and spend selectively on travel and entertainment as they can sometimes cost a lot in the UK if you are not careful.”
He sees studying in the UK as a golden opportunity, especially because of the impressive reputation UK’s universities enjoy globally.
“Even though the UK seems to be a bit more expensive compared to other higher education destinations, it has an excellent education system, so it is worth the investment,” he says.
Besides, the UK’s international reputation in the financial sector and its leading role in the Eurodollar market suited Yuanlong, especially because he wished to pursue the subjects of finance. “To be able to study MSc in Finance in the UK is like a dream come true,” he says.
Yuanlong loves the fact that education in the West is not based on rote learning or simply mugging up the material given in the class. “I like the way things are taught here. Students are encouraged to think and analyse critically and independently, which is great.” he says.
After the completion of his course, he intends to apply for jobs in the UK before moving back to China for good. Yuanlong says, “I am looking forward to gaining experience with some well-known companies in the financial sector for at least four to five years before going back to China. This is a prime opportunity for me. I also intend to complete my professional qualification of Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) while working in the UK after my master's degree,” he adds.
He feels that an international degree will give him a competitive edge and present him in a favourable light to the prospective employers. “A successful international degree will prove that I have the ability to adapt and learn quickly. This is what the global employers are looking for.”
Yuanlong enjoys the sports activities and social events in the UK. “The choices available are amazing. I enjoy playing football and tennis with my friends here. There is always something or the other happening during the evenings at the university, so I never feel alone.”
His advice to international students is to make friends with the locals to enjoy your stay to the max. “It can give you a better understanding of the language, country and culture,” he says, adding that international students should be ready to adapt to the customs of their host country and enjoy it.
Yuanlong himself faced language problem initially, since he was not as fluent in English as he is now, but his determination paid off. “Students who come to a new country have a responsibility to learn the language. Despite some ridiculously embarrassing experiences of talking to the British in English, I pushed myself the extra miles to learn the language and make friends with the British.
"Now I am comfortable conversing in English. The problem of cultural shock or language barrier is inevitable for a foreigner, but I believe that with a little bit of courage, anyone can overcome it.”