Xinxin Wu

Please tell us a bit about yourself.

I come from Guangdong, China. For my undergraduate, I majored in social work in South China Normal University. When I was still an undergraduate, I was glad that I was given the opportunity to study at Hong Kong Baptist University. From then on, I had a new perspective on my study and life. And I get to experience a different learning mode and lifestyle here too. With the support of my parents and teachers, I took steps to the United Kingdom for my further study.

What motivated you to apply for your course at Leeds?

The reason for choosing Society, Culture and Media is that I really enjoyed my internship as a curator assistant in an art museum where I was in touch with many people, such as artists, curators, spectators, media, etc. It's very interesting and I wanted to increase my knowledge in this field when I am working.

I initially chose Leeds for my undergraduate degree for several reasons. First of all, the University of Leeds provides excellent education and is well placed in the United Kingdom and even the world. The campus is impressive, and the activities of the students’ union are well organized for international students. Secondly, I think that the location of Leeds is very good. It is also very convenient to travel to different places and the city is very comfortable for living.

What is it that makes you passionate about your area of study?

My favourite thing is that the content of the course is very interesting, especially in analysing culture and media. The learning style is quite different from my previous study; we are provided some vivid examples of learning by watching some short films or movies, which helped me learn more profoundly. For me, the best thing is to participate in the seminars as it is a very good process of communication with teachers and classmates. We get to debate different views on any issues to make us think more critically.

What do you think of your course so far?

I really enjoyed the seminars. I like the process of communicating with my teachers and classmates, that I can raise questions that I am puzzled and can also put forward my own opinions. Many of the things that were not understood in the lectures were well solved in the seminar. I like my teachers and supervisor because they often give us guidance with studying and thinking.

What would you say about the learning facilities?

There are four major libraries in the campus as well as 24-hour study rooms that provide us with a very convenient and comfortable learning environment. The library also provides students with printers and computers. Also, there are exclusive study spaces for postgraduates both in the school and in Edward Boyle library.

How do you find the student support in the School?

There are multiple ways of contacting all members of staff throughout the year. For example, you can email school staff and they will help you solve the problem in time. Or if you have problems in your studies or the course, you can meet your teachers during the their ‘Open Door’ time and they will help you solve the problem. I often contact my dissertation supervisor through e-mail or often meet at his ‘Open Door’ time.

Have you been involved in any extra-curricular activities?

This year, I have become a volunteer of The Business Confucius Institute and I often participated in activities organized by them. I enjoy working with different people and making acquaintances with them, which brings a lot of fun to my life. Moreover, I learned a lot of skills, such as communication and planning, during this volunteering.

What would you say about Leeds as a city?

Leeds is a great city. The environment here is beautiful and people are very friendly. The transportation facilities and living facilities here are very convenient as well. There are a lot of shopping centres and restaurants, and also cultural spaces and parks for our spiritual leisure.

What would you say to anyone thinking of applying to your course?

The combination of sociology and communication science makes your subject vision even broader. You will learn different knowledge and think critically. This will be the most impressive year in your life.

What do you plan to do once you’ve finished your course?

There is old saying goes in the Chinese, “Walking thousands of miles is better than reading thousands of books.” So, once I’ve finished my course, I plan to travel to Europe and even more countries with my friends to experience different cultures.

I will the return to China and continue to work in the culture or media industry in the future. To be honest, I prefer to work in the art field, such as being a curator. But the future is unknown. And I hope that I can cherish time and enjoy my life in the UK.

Are there any other comments you'd like to make?

The year of studying at the University of Leeds is really wonderful. I have accepted different educational models and met many new friends. At the same time, I also had a different life experience in the UK. I strongly recommend the University of Leeds because this school is really inclusive, friendly and diverse.