What did you gain from the International Foundation Programme?

Most importantly, the programme improved my English skills. Talking daily with local people, lecturers and teachers taught me how to communicate fluently and reduce grammar mistakes.

Before I came to Bristol, sometimes communication would be a barrier. After attending lectures and talking with other teachers, my communication skills improved a lot. When I chatted to teachers after class, they would be glad to tell me about slang, tricks English speakers use when talking to each other.

The academic writing elements benefitted me a lot. After this training, I know how to write a formal lab report. Like this year, at undergraduate level, we had to write a material report, but most of the students with A-levels had no idea how to write a lab report. I know how to structure, what words to use and if something is not allowed.

Those are the two most important things: daily speech and academic writing. Now I know how to answer a question, how this equation should be pronounced. Before, I could pronounce equations in Chinese but not in English. I could solve them, but it was hard to explain how it worked.

How did you adjust to life in the UK?

Life here and back in Shanghai is really similar. The most important difference is the food. In every country, people are used to their own food. Because lots of foods combine in the city of Bristol, you can try a lot of things and get used to the food.

Another thing that’s different is the accommodation. Back in China, between four and eight university students will live in one room without a kitchen, just beds and a toilet. But here in the UK, it’s usually like a flat – you share a kitchen but have your own room. You have privacy and can do things alone. When I talk to friends back in China, they say they would prefer to have a room of their own.

What were the teaching staff like?

The teaching staff were amazing actually. The physics and maths teachers were faculty staff from the University, but the link classes were run by International Foundation Programme teachers. They focused on the language we used and trained us in English, to prepare us for the undergraduate course.

Before the International Foundation Programme, we used to write as if translating from Chinese. After taking the academic writing unit, we know how to introduce, make our points and then conclude. We know how to arouse someone’s interest in the first paragraph with a hook. I still remember it all! I’d say it still helps me, whether I’m writing lab reports or an email.

I am really thankful I chose this programme. I communicate with friends who chose A-levels back in China and here is better. Firstly, for the life: you are living in the UK. Secondly, because you get more chance to talk to natives – students and teachers.

If you want a really fantastic experience, I would choose the International Foundation Programme. I found actually it was beyond my expectations – better, far better.

How was the transition to an undergraduate degree?

The undergraduate course is far more packed, with more stress. And also the teaching style is different. After a day on the International Foundation Programme, the only thing I needed to do was correct my mistakes, but after an undergraduate day there are lots of physics questions and things to do.

Going into the undergraduate course, you must change the thought from 'I am going to improve my English'. You change the focus to be 'I’m going to study physics, aerodynamics, et cetera'. But if you’ve done well on the International Foundation Programme, the transition should be quite easy.

So it’s a change of mind, a change of focus. I have to say, the transition for people who took the foundation programme is easier than for people who took A-levels.

Do you enjoy living in Bristol?

In Bristol, everything is built around the campus. It is really convenient. If I want to, I can just walk fifteen minutes and go to the library or meet with friends.

One reason I like Bristol is it has a history of engineering and engines. That really aroused my interest. I also like the campus style – the Wills Memorial Building, I love that kind of thing. The Avon river, which crosses the city, also increases the attractiveness. It is kind of like the city’s personality.

What are your ambitions for the future?

Next year, I will do some internships. On my CV now, I've got academic experience with NASA and a Tokyo robot research center, but I don't have any work experience. So I am planning to get a good score and get a good work placement.

Rolls Royce and Airbus, those are the main pathways. I will use the internship, and the project done in our third and fourth years, and try to enter those famous companies.

What advice would you give new students?

Don’t be shy about talking to the teachers. They are really kind and warm hearted. They know a lot about global traditions and they often know many languages. Sometimes the teachers are international people as well, so they can understand, they can imagine what it’s like for you. They will use their experience to help you in academic and in daily life.

The University has really amazing resources. It has lots of relationships with big companies and organisations. Try to discover a route or pathway to get information on those. Train yourself during the International Foundation Programme. The resources here impress me a lot – the labs, the connections with big companies. Don’t just stay in the Students’ Union. Go discover what resources there are, discover what you can use for your studies.