The Way, the Truth, the Life--Memory of Glasgow

Time:2014-09-05 14:28:36 Clicks:

By Yuan ZHONG from 2007 International Finance (1)

It has been a great journey to spent even a short one-year time in Adam Smith Business School, University of Glasgow. I cannot give you the whole picture of what is like to study aboard.

Everyone has their own experience. I still remember the servant’s facial expression when I picked up a sandwich from the refrigerator and asked for heating service. Even if the cold sandwich may bother you at the beginning, it is a convenient and healthy food especially when you are on a travel journey.

First I would like to refresh my memory through the taste, hoping you are not hungry right now. Don’t miss fish and chips even if it is simple and high-calorie. Eating them makes me happy when I finish an exhausted day. The panini is also a good choice when you need some hot fast food. A lot of my friends enjoy cooking by themselves or inviting others joining them. Having meals together is always important for Chinese. It is a perfect way to socialize. I like eating food that is new for me. Therefore the original reason for me to go to the church is the free haggis they offer. Maybe you don’t believe in God. It is OK, just have an open mind and stay active in the local community.

Study is the priority for most of the students which I can share some experience here. Passing exams is significant but not all of the study. You can study through communication in class, group study after class and discussing with lecturer during the office hour. I think passing exams is easy for Chinese students, but getting to the Distinction level is challenging. You must explore a wider region of the idea which is taught in the lecture if you want to get A level. For example, if you are asked to discuss the Black-Scholes method, just state and explain the formular and inputs are not enough for the excellent answer. Explaining how to reach the B-S approach, discussing their advantages and disadvantages may convince the lecturer that you have more knowledge in this field which give you more marks. You may get help from the lecturer or the study organizations in the school. Glasgow university provides all kinds of supports like regular group meetings or one-on-one appointment. Using email or pick up the phone to make appointments, you can learn how to learn during those study sessions.

I was very impressed by the silence during the class when lecturers ask questions. Even though nearly 80% are the Chinese students, no one answers even if they have the answer. I am one of them at first. But some voice inside me tells that I should speak out what I want to say. It just needs the courage to speak aloud in public. It does not matter whether the answer is right or wrong. Sharing ideas and taking the chance to discuss with the professors are the point of this matter. Never being ashamed of your thoughts is what I learned in those public talks.

The third thing I wish to share is the social life in Glasgow. Ceilidh, Muay Thai boxing or the Confucius institute events are of so many pleasures. Man of sports can have great time watching football or just jogging in the beautiful parks nearby. For man of arts, there are also plenty of museums and galleries for you to explore. Furthermore, you are free to travel in UK and apply Schengen visa to visit Europe. Using the internet, you will have enough information you want. Traveling alone or with friends are the choices you have because you are over 18 years old. Speaking of the age of 18, you may be asked for ID if you buy alcohols or tobaccos. If you are checked for ID maybe because you are just looking younger than your age. Congratulations!.. Making plans, booking hotels, have everything under control--you can do better than you think.

Studying abroad is a long-term investment. Using it to enter a high-class company is just the beginning. You can experience more if you start to manage your own life. “The way, The truth, The life” is the university motto. It came from the Bible since University of Glasgow is a Christian university at the beginning. It is said that Jesus is “The way, The truth, The life”. Whether you believe or not, try to find your own way, the truth that you believe and the life style you wish to go on--welcome to Glasgow!