UIC uses English as the medium of instruction for most courses; however, other languages are taught and promoted. These languages can influence students to the point that they visit the country where these languages originated from. The following are stories from two UIC alumni.
Zhou Xinlan
"From learning German to living in Germany"
I was interested in the German language and German culture way before UIC. However, my story with Germany started in UIC.
In 2008, when I first joined UIC as a freshman, I surprisingly found out that German was an option for the GE course. Without a doubt, I selected it. Starting from level 1 German, less than two hours a week, that went on for the next four years. If a GE course had less than ten students, we all know the class would be cancelled. That was the case for German 4, but luckily, neither our teacher, Katharina, nor the students have given up. I still vividly remember how only a few of us in the level 4 German course had fun learning and experiencing German culture with our teacher.
Zhou Xinlan
After graduation, I got a job in my home city. However, I could not get over the idea of going to Germany. So here I am. I applied for a Master programme and landed in a small town located in the middle of Germany. Like all the overseas students, I started a new life with uncertainty, curiosity, ambition and joy. My master programme was in English, which by then was not common in German universities. My knowledge of the German language was barely enough for daily communication. It was not easy at the beginning but then turned into an advantage. I was more motivated to learn German, to get to know different people, experience the lives of locals and try to integrate.
With the help of friends I met at the university, I got a job offer in Frankfurt right after I obtained my master degree. Meanwhile, I also got the chance to live with a local family. Moving back to a big city, leaving the student identity and privilege means more opportunities and challenges. Luckily, I am willing to face different situations and can always find my support. In the almost eight years of studying, working and living here, I am getting to know this country and the people here more and becoming more confident and comfortable. I am no longer a foreign student.
One of my professors in the university made a fascinating metaphor that the Germans are like coconuts – they could be problematic from the outside but soft and lovely inside. The only thing you need to know is the right way to open it. I think this applies actually to everyone when facing an unfamiliar culture or situation. So, in the end, all UIC students planning to study abroad or pursue their dreams – ich drücke euch die Daumen.
Liu Kai
"A passion for Spain and Spanish"
My name is Liu Kai. I graduated from UIC in 2012, majoring in Government and International Relations (GIR).
The first day I met Spanish Senior Lecturer, Ms Roser Cervera, 14 years ago, was still fresh, as if it were just yesterday. As a freshman, I became paralysed to speak with my newly-learned Spanish in front of a native speaker. I couldn't even respond to her greeting and basic questions like "Como te llamas". But it just took less than one semester for me to realise that Roser is a good mentor and a good friend. All the students in her Spanish class gained much knowledge related to Spain. The class was like one huge family where we treated each other as siblings.
Roser envisioned a vivid image of Spain that was intangible at the moment through its splendid language and culture and made it so natural to us. She also inspired us to go abroad and see the beautiful world. Finally, I got a chance to study in France in my senior year. I hadn't learned any French before I went there. However, since French and Spanish belonged to the same linguistic branch, my Spanish foundation facilitated my learning of French. And of course, I paid a visit to Spain and Roser's hometown. I was obsessed with the perfect combination of exotic scenery, culture and unique Spanish hospitality. This story is just a silhouette of my life in UIC. I hope your young fellows will have the same terrific experience as I had when I studied here.
From MPRO
Editor: Samuel Burgess
