Written by Manshu Liu, an MA Intercultural Communication student.

Time flies and my first semester at UoM as a PGT student has already passed. Looking back on the last three months, I enjoyed what I learnt and benefit significantly from the university’s incredibly rich academic resources.

Intercultural communication, which is my major, is an exciting one-year curriculum that focuses on examining cultural diversity in the modern globalised society. So far, my study experience has been delightful, thanks to the support of professional teaching staff, a plethora of academic resources, and a vibrant campus life. Here, I would love to highlight some helpful academic resources available on campus. The most impressive resource for me is the powerful databases in the school library. I can simply access all the resources as a student at UoM at any time for free; I can download excellent books and peer-reviewed articles as well as look for publications and essays in different languages. Another remarkable on-campus resource is the Academic Writing Centre; all PGT students are welcome to register for this course without any cost. The workshops are tailored to each faculty to help students, especially those whose first language is not English to write in an academic style, organise ideas, and present their position effectively. I participated in three workshops including grammar, speaking, and writing; the teachers in each block are very committed and responsible and had very authentic and elegant English pronunciation. I can still recall one time when only three students came to class due to the bad weather and heavy rain. Nevertheless, the teacher was still quite motivated and enthusiastic to finish the entire lesson only for the three of us. Last but not the least, teachers’ office time is another marvellous academic support. Each member of the teaching team is so willing to share their knowledge with us and any questions are very welcome to ask.

My academic life proceeded very smoothly in the first semester. The courses’ integrated instructional tactics are quite enjoyable for me, and I really appreciate the seminar since it allows me to express my opinions in front of my peers and lecturers. This seminar discussion experience even made me think of the Athenian Academy in ancient Greece, when the atmosphere in the classroom was highly open and energetic and where students and lecturers freely exchanged opinions. When teachers and students have opposing viewpoints, the conversation becomes even more interesting. I think this is a great chance to develop my eloquence as well as critical thinking skills.

In terms of course selection, in addition to the compulsory courses, there are also free modules that can be taken from our own school and other schools. It’s difficult for me to choose a favourite module because I feel each one has its own special qualities and unique features. The general introduction course has given me a broad understanding of the fundamental ideas in my field of study. Another module, on research methods, which I initially thought might be tedious, ended up being very beneficial because it gave me the skills to assess existing research and apply research findings to academic work.

To sum up, the first semester’s amazing study experience enhanced my awareness of my major, and I not only discovered the love of learning but also got to know brilliant teachers and made lots of friends.

Related