March 2008
Shining examples of achievement
Chinese student Shilin Wang’s inspirational story of student life in Swansea resulted in him being named Welsh International Student of the Year 2008. The 22-year-old Swansea University student represented Wales to challenge for the UK’s International Student of the Year 2008 title, a prestigious British Council competition.
Shilin was one of 12 regional winners selected from more than 1,500 students, representing 127 nationalities, to enter the sixth annual International Student Awards - the UK’s biggest competition designed to shine the spotlight firmly on international students and their unique contributions to life in the UK.
Regional runners-up were fellow Chinese students Hong Liu, who attends Bangor University, and Yin Qian, who also studies at Swansea. In addition Don Eliseo Lucero-Prisno from the Philippines who attends Cardiff University, Ramita Tejpal from India who attends Bangor University and Richard Nyuur from Ghana all received highly commended for their letters.
The International Student Awards is different from other student competitions. It focuses on the virtues of living and studying in the UK, not solely on academic achievements, and aims to celebrate diversity and creativity within UK institutions. From school pupils to postgraduates, international students at all levels entered the competition by writing a personal ‘letter home’ in English, detailing the out-of-class achievements that help make their time in the UK so rewarding.
In his letter, Shilin described how his voluntary work has helped a number of vulnerable groups in his local community. He takes disadvantaged children ice-skating and helps the elderly with household chores. He is in the process of learning sign language and is a project co-ordinator. One of 146 Chinese students to enter the competition, Shilin also raised money for charity through a skydive at Swansea airport last year. He enjoys taking part in a range of outdoor activities, including snowboarding, archery, mountaineering and flying.
Shilin, who is studying Business and Economics at Swansea University, wrote: “I enjoy living in the UK. I miss the UK when I go home for a holiday.” He said that taking part in such a range of extra-curricular activities would be ‘nearly impossible’ in China.
Martin Davidson, Chief Executive of the British Council, said: “The British Council knows that international students make a huge contribution and commitment to life in the UK. This competition provides a fantastic opportunity for them to earn some well-deserved public recognition for their achievements – a great chance them to show the world what they’ve achieved while living and learning in the UK.”
Mark Powell, Head of Government Business, International Business Wales, commented: “Having judged Wales’ regional finalists for the past couple of years, I recognise the value of international students reflecting on their time in Wales and how they have impacted on society here. Their recording of their experiences in Wales, the challenges that they have faced and they way in which they have enriched and been enriched has been enlightening and touching. A consistent theme throughout has been one of warmth and the forming of enduring relationships.”
Shilin Wang, Yin Qian and Richard Nyuur
Shilin Wang who is also a committed volunteer with Discovery Student Volunteering at the University, joined 12 other regional winners in London last week, to have their extraordinary achievements honoured at a glittering awards ceremony.
Shilin said: "Swansea University is great place not only for academic study but also for the activities outside the campus. The people are very friendly; it reminds me of the place I came from in south east China, which is also next to the ocean like Swansea."
Chinese student Yin Qian, who studies Media and Communication at Swansea University, was a regional runner up in the competition, and she also travelled to London for the awards ceremony.
Yin said: "I appreciate this great chance to study in the UK and have enjoyed the time I’ve spent in Swansea. It is a great honour to be a runner-up in the International Student Awards."
Richard Nyuur, from Ghana, also received a Highly Commended award for his entry letter and was one of only 33 students to be awarded this special recognition.
He said: "I am thrilled and honoured to have my life experiences in the UK recognised by this award. I see it as a testament of the need for international students to get involved in enhancing other students’ welfare and the welfare of the people in the communities in which we find ourselves. The award also serves as motivation to continue serving the community through the countless opportunities open to international students at Swansea University and in the UK."
Christine Watson, Manager of Discovery Student Volunteering at Swansea University said: "Shilin has been a delightful volunteer with Discovery. Being enthusiastic to learn about the culture of life here is Swansea, he has diligently volunteered on projects that have involved him in the real Swansea – meeting and working to assist local people in need."
IMAGE BANG Hong Liu.jpg
CAPTION Hong Liu
Hong Liu
Hong Liu's letter to his uncle in China gained him the Runner-up position in the Wales International Student of the Year competition- the regional round of Shine!
Hong is 31 years old and in his fifth year at Bangor, now studying for a PhD. He comes from Wuhan, the biggest city along the Yangzi River in central and western China. He worked for the Bank of Communications for nearly four years before coming to the UK. "The nature of my job, being an international financial market analyst, triggered my desire to go abroad to see the world. “
"I find Bangor the greatest place for me to study. The people are always nice and smiling, making you feel at home. This is the most important impression an international student feels here," he says.
Hong, now has his aims set on becoming a portfolio manager in investment banking in London. During his time at Bangor, Hong has contributed in many ways. He has been employed as a Housing Officer at the Students' Union, assisting other international students in looking for accommodation and has also assisted with administration in the University, helping to organise examinations and degree ceremonies. He has helped organise a Christmas party for the Chinese students, has acted as a 'Peer Guide' to new students- and impressing them with his excellent pronunciation of Welsh place-names!
Outside the university, a part-time job house-keeping for a retired couple has given Hong an insight into the British way of life, which he has found enjoyable. The couple even introduced him to that very British tradition- Pantomime- an annual habit that Hong intends to adopt!
Ramita Tejpal
Indian student Ramita Tejpal's letter home has earned her a 'Highly Commended' in the Shine International Student Award. Bangor University's MBA student, Ramita, was one of only 33 entrants awarded this special recognition- of the 1,600 entries to the competition for foreign students studying in the UK.
Before coming to Bangor, Ramita gained a first degree in biotechnology and worked for one year with an insurance company as a recruitment officer. She studied entrepreneurship as part of her first degree with made her interested in studying management. She wanted to study abroad for her Masters degree and chose Bangor as her destination to study for her MBA as the University's management courses were well-ranked and the University had a reasonable fee-structure.
Ramita found the University's web-site full of useful information: "I was almost able to see Bangor through its website, I think only few university websites are able to do so," she says. "I saw my room and my halls of residence and my business school, before coming here, which helped me great deal in making my decision."
"And the quick reply from international office on my every single query made things more clear and easy" she added. Having been here for six months, she now feels that Bangor is her second home and is having the time of her life. Of her academic life she says: "I am working on my dissertation which is on creative management in creative industries and recognising corporate entrepreneurs. I am so enthusiastic about my research work as my business school has given me enough opportunity to explore myself and come up with new ideas. My supervisor helps me challenge my limits."
Don Eliseo Lucero-Prisno
Don Eliseo Lucero-Prisno, based in Cardiff University’s School of Social Sciences’ Seafarers International Research Centre has been recognised for his inspirational story of life as a student at Cardiff, and his achievements on an international stage.
In his ‘letter home’, Don, who is currently researching the vulnerability of seafarers to HIV/AIDS in Brazil, described passionately his work in the areas of health and welfare, his role in establishing the Balud Project to refurbish a school in the island of Samar in the Philippines, and his enjoyment in being interim president of the Filipino Students Society.
Motivated by his own humble upbringing in the Philippines and his dedication to the plight of poverty-stricken communities, Don said “Awards for me are instruments to highlight the works of individuals as they are advocates and emissaries of marginalised people. It's not about the awardee, it's about the people he or she works for”.
Following the completion of his PhD, Don aims to continue his work as a teacher and researcher promoting international health issues, and one day hopes to head the World Health Organisation. He will be undertaking an international lecture tour shortly, visiting the USA, Geneva, Korea and South America to publicise the findings of his research. Commenting on his achievement, Don said: “I have been privileged to be accepted at this prestigious university and I couldn’t ask for more. My stay at Cardiff has helped me to aspire to want to reach out with my work on a global scale and I will definitely carry the true spirit of the University wherever I go.”