Alumni Spotlight

Why did you choose to study Chinese? 

I wanted to be able to read, write and communicate fluently in a completely new language and connect with a culture I was fascinated by.

What was the highlight of your degree? 

My year abroad in Dalian, and every door that opened for me.

Where has Chinese taken you since you graduated?

I lived and worked in Beijing for sixteen years, from film and TV to investigative journalism to lifestyle journalism to government marketing and communications. I met my husband in Beijing and my kids grew up there. I have a global network of friends and contacts that grew out of my time there. It genuinely made me who I am. 

Is there anything else you'd like to add? 

Chinese takes you places. 

Why did you choose to study Chinese? 

I first started learning Chinese in secondary school in London. I was initially drawn to the language because of the beauty and complexity of the characters and script. Not only was I interested in studying something so different from the European languages I had been taught before, but also, from an artistic perspective, I had an immediate appreciation of the visuals of Chinese characters and traditional calligraphy. 

What was the highlight of your degree? 

The highlight for me was of course the opportunity to study abroad in China for a year. I chose to go to Shanghai, where, over the course of the year, I gained an entirely new perspective on learning Mandarin, as I was both linguistically and culturally immersed in my studies every single day. I was lucky enough to travel around China and visit various different cities and scenic spots, meeting many locals along the way. These experiences enriched not only my understanding of the country, but also allowed me to further my studies of Mandarin as something to be employed outside the confines of a classroom. 

Where has Chinese taken you since you graduated?

As of yet my plans remain open ended, but I will be travelling around China for a month this Autumn to visit the furthest corners of the country that I didn’t have a chance to see during my year there. I have ideas of doing a Masters degree in Chinese Art which will allow me to hone in on my specific area of interest.