Xiao Xu - PhD in Education Studies

Background…

Image of Xiao My name is Xiao Xu but my preferred name is Xenia. I’m 24 years old and I come from China. I’m currently studying a PhD in Education Studies.

I studied my undergraduate degree in Harbin Institute of Technology in China and then my Masters degree at Manchester University . I had been working as Education Consultant for a year, helping international students to find the right courses in the UK. Through my job as EC, I had been learning about almost every university in the UK. I also found the perfect one for my PhD studies: Bangor University. I am also luckily enough to be provided with full scholarship by the university. Now happily studying in this beautiful city, I want to share my experience with and offer my help to other international students.

The International Student Ambassador Scheme…

This has been a very useful scheme for international students. Having been a new international student myself, I know how scary it can be just to open a bank account or to be asked “Cash Back?” at the supermarket. Life abroad shouldn’t be so frightening. It should be enjoyable. This is what ISAs are here for: to answer your questions and to make your life in Bangor easy.

Why did you become involved?

When I came to the UK three years ago, I knew nobody in this country. Every little help given by others had been a great blessing for me. My last full-time job was to offer advice and help to international students and I really enjoyed it. The satisfaction I gained through helping others was enormous. Becoming a student again, I wanted to do something that could both help others and help me make more friends.

My duties…

Our duties vary throughout the year. Before new students arrive, we become their points of contact, answering their questions about the UK and about Bangor. When they arrive, students can find us in different events throughout the orientation week. During the academic year, we will be working with International Office, Marketing and Student Service departments, making contribution where we can when we can. Our responsibilities are to build a bridge between students and the University, between overseas students and Bangor University.

Why Bangor?

First and foremost, Bangor offered the right programme for me. Bangor is not a big university, but all the programmes it offers could top the country. When I first came to Bangor for my interview, I was immediately attracted by the beautiful scenery. Named as the “city of learning”, Bangor is the perfect place to study. It’s also very convenient to live here as everything is within easy reach. Additionally, Bangor is a research-centred university that holds leading positions in many fields of research. With my own research, I am well supported by the University financially and academically. For me, there is no better place.

The best thing about Bangor…

I always feel that it’s people that make a city, not the other way around. The best thing about Bangor, apart from the breathtaking beautiful scenery is definitely the people. You will find yourself living in a different culture, while not feeling isolated or being a total stranger to others. You can talk to others while waiting for a bus, chatting casually with anyone in the shop, asking for help or direction when you are in trouble. As long as you are willing to communicate, you will find a home easily here in Bangor. You will be attracted by the Welsh language, the coastal lines, the food and most importantly the people.

Any advice for prospective international students?

As international students, we are not here simply to learn some knowledge and skills, we are here to prepare ourselves for a better future. In such an increasingly interdependent world, our ability to speak another language well, to communicate cross-culturally and to quickly adapt to other cultures will all lead to a more fruitful career and meaningful life. Therefore, my advice is to open up your mind, don’t think what’s strange and alien to you, but what is different and interesting to you. Wales is a fascinating place with fascinating people, so start your life here with the sprit and courage to challenge yourself, to make friends with people from all over the world.

The future…

My research is about international education and cross-cultural communication. I hope that I could assume a position that would use education as both the end and the means to bring people of different cultures together.