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This web page is dedicated to UK Chinese students, discussing what you may encounter throughout their studies in the UK.?It aims to help you to prepare well, plan ahead, and deal effectively with the many usual AND UNUSUAL problems.
The first difficulty for Chinese students to study in the UK is obviously that of language. This will depend on how well you have prepared yourself prior to your arrival here. It may be feasible to take courses and tuition to improve your English as much as possible. The better your English is, the better your understanding and communication skills will be. You will also become more confident about yourself. To this end, sometimes it makes sense to do a foundation or English language course before you set upon a formal degree course.
If you have gone through the Chinese formal educational system all the way to the university level and you have a reasonable level of English, you should find studying in the UK not as demanding as in China. In a way, it is quite easy to achieve grades up to B with marks between 60% and 69%. However, it is rather difficult to get grade A in assessment, which is often caused by the different educational systems and writing styles between China and Britain. New students may feel it worthwhile reading the past grade A assignments to find out what else may be expected in addition to good content for essays. It is always advisable to have a collective meeting with your tutors, and to follow that up with personal question times if you still have any doubt and uncertainty. The British system is more encouraging to teamwork than the Chinese system. Classmates are free to talk about the assignments, as long as you don't copy from each other. Obviously, copying in assignments and exams is strictly banned and, if found, will be heavily punished.
Sometimes, if your English is not up to the task of appropriate notes-taking during lectures, it makes sense to bring with you a tape-recorder. Make sure you ask permission from your tutors. You may also ask native students whether you could copy their lecture notes. Generally, they are vey friendly and quite willing to lend you theirs as long as you borrow them long before exams and return them on time as promised.
Study-wise, you may benefit more from talking to students other than your Chinese friends or classmates who may suffer from the same kind of blind-spots as a result of the Chinese educational systems. Make sure that you are willing to respond to requests from native students as they respond to yours. A friend in need is a friend indeed, and never forget the key words like mutual help and mutual respect.
For those Chinese students who have not gone through the Chinese educational system to the university level, extra efforts are required to overcome the language and understanding barriers. Private tuition or help may be required in some cases, and you may find it useful to talk to the International Students Advisors at your institute about your difficulties. Remember, they are here to help you to adapt to the British education system.
Generally speaking, the British attitude towards study seems to be more relaxed than the Chinese one, but still, Grade A are often snatched by native students perhaps because they are well used to the system and may not need that much extra efforts. If you see the British students enjoying themselves in pubs, night clubs and other social places, you may join in, too, but most likely, you will need to go your own way by sticking to the Chinese way of hard-working and self-discipline. If you have studied in a Chinese university or college away from your home town, you will somehow understand what is being talked about here.
The British way of study is also more lenient as it gives more than one chance to pass each subject. In other words, if you have failed in your first attempt, make sure you talk to the tutor and fellow students who have passed with good grades and do your best the second time round.
In a way, studying abroad is similar to the experience of boarding school education. You have to be independent, but at the same time, you should also ask for help when needed and make sure that you respond to the help in a positive way! Good luck! |
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