By Tan Jue Jun
Bachelor Of Communication (Hons) Journalism
Class of August 2005

Knowledge is power. Learning has always been my passion, simply because I enjoy the essence of it and am highly inquisitive. I am very lucky, to have been offered a golden opportunity by UTAR to pursue my dream of pursuing my Master degree program at University of Nottingham, Ningbo, China (UNNC) in the field of International Communication Studies.

I am in the first cohort of journalism graduates from UTAR in August 2005. After obtaining my bachelor degree, I worked as a journalism for about two and a half year. Thanks to UTAR for never forgetting and giving up its students. As one of the alumni, they often call me up, encourage and motivate me to take up life-long learning programs, including offering me this one-year Master program scholarship.

When I left for my studies in Ningbo, it was the first time I have left home to study abroad. UNNC has a beautiful campus surrounded with buildings in modern and post-modern styles. I am grateful to have made the right choice to study here as I learnt to be more independent, and more adept in handling stress in an environment totally different from any university in Malaysia. Besides that, my social circle is also widened through socializing with Chinese and international students from all over the world. Their friendliness and helpfulness have healed my home sickness and make me more informed of their cultures. Apart from studying in the campus, I have also traveled to cities around Ningbo, such as Shanghai, Hangzhou and Xi'an to experience something new; to learn their way of life, culture and norms of Chinese society in different cities.