Graduation usually heralds the return home to family and loved ones for international students who have been studying in Australia.
However, international students Chong Lu and Youyan Zou, both from Beijing International Studies University (BISU), are staying on in Australia after celebrating their graduation from The University of Queensland (UQ) in July.
Both enjoyed studying at UQ so much that they now call the University their second home and are planning to pursue further higher level studies.
Ms Lu and Ms Zou are among the first students to graduate from both UQ and BISU through a unique partnership between the two universities.
Graduating from the Faculty of Arts, both Ms Lu (Master of Arts in Philosophy) and Ms Zou (Master of Arts in Chinese Translating and Interpreting) scored exceptional academic performances and made the Dean’s Commendation list.
Both students said UQ’s reputation in teaching and research was the main attraction for them signing up to study at UQ.
“The lecturers were always willing to help and were very accommodating of students’ needs. With them, I enjoyed intellectually inspiring discussions and received advice and help on course material and essay writings,” Ms Lu said.
Ms Zou said she was impressed by the teaching and support facilities UQ has to offer.
“There is excellent access to research resources including academic journals and library collections. UQ’s academic atmosphere enabled me to focus on my studies,” Ms Zou said.
And while both recorded exceptional results, Ms Lu had been worried about completing her thesis after becoming ill during her last semester.
Ms Lu said she was very grateful to her supervisor, Dr Deborah Brown.
“I experienced some really hard times during the last semester and my supervisor was so considerate,” Ms Lu said.
“It was Dr Brown’s patience, understanding, support and encouragement that helped me make it through all the difficulties. I was so touched and grateful for all she did for me.”
Coordinator of UQ’s Master of Arts in Chinese Translation and Interpreting program, Dr Leong Ko, initiated the connection between the Faculty of Arts and BISU when he and the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts visited BISU in 2006.
The student program commenced in 2009 and students receive degrees from both UQ and BISU when they complete their studies.
Olga Chaourova, International Development Manager of the Faculty of Arts, said that the program had developed so strongly due to the high level of commitment to the relationship between the Faculty of Arts and the School of English Language, Literature and Culture at BISU.
Media: Ariel Ho, +61 7 3346 0561.
