Zeng Qiuying, a year-two student from Department of English Language and Literature, has joined a one-semester study abroad programme at University of Strathclyde in September 2025. Here, we invited Qiuying to share her life and study in UK.

University of Strathclyde

Coming to study at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, UK, was a completely new experience. When I first arrived, everything felt unfamiliar - the constantly changing weather, the complicated registration process, and the different pace of life compared to my home university. Although I was not used to it at the beginning, the school arranged a one-week preparation programme that helped me gradually become familiar with the environment. Little by little, I adapted to the learning style and pace of life here, and things became smoother.

Classroom Experience

The course structure at Strathclyde is similar to that of my home university, with both Lecture and Tutorial sessions.

At first, I was the only Chinese student in my Tutorial group, while the other students were native English speakers. This created some communication challenges. However, after several group activities, our communication became much smoother, and my English expression improved as well.

In class, students were very active and often asked questions or shared their viewpoints. The teacher also set aside part of the class time for practical activities such as interviews, observations, or photography. The learning atmosphere here was very engaging, and most answers came from independent thinking rather than relying on AI. This made me feel their passion for knowledge and their spirit of exploration, which also motivated me to study harder. 

Zeng Qiuying at Loch Lomond

Life and Cultural Experience

In my spare time, I signed up for various activities, such as exploring the natural scenery of the Scottish Highlands, participating in Halloween events, and visiting museums. These experiences allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the local culture. The teachers and classmates in Glasgow were very friendly. Although my English still had a slightly unusual accent, they were always patient and willing to listen, which gave me a lot of warmth and confidence in communicating.

As for food, Glasgow has many Chinese restaurants as well as cuisines from around the world. Although local dishes taste different from what I am used to, being able to try foods from different countries has been a fresh and enjoyable experience.

Language Progress

During my studies at Strathclyde, the school also offered free English courses for international students, and we could choose based on our interests and proficiency. I selected “Advanced Vocabulary” course, where the teacher explained commonly used but easily confused words each week and helped us remember them through fun class activities.

But what truly helped me improve was not just classroom learning. Daily communication - chatting with classmates, joining activities, shopping, or collaborating in tutorials - helped me practice English and express myself more clearly. Through constant use, the language began to feel more natural, making it easier for me to integrate into the new environment. At the same time, I learned to enjoy the learning process itself. Rather than focusing only on results, I cherished the moments when I gradually became braver in expressing myself and trying new things.

Zeng Qiuying with friends at Glencoe

Gains and Insights

This exchange experience made me more independent, confident, and open-minded. By actively participating in class discussions and learning to take care of myself in daily life, I could feel my own growth. Most importantly, I learned how to maintain an open attitude in a new environment, to understand different cultures and ways of thinking, and to reflect on the meaning of learning.

Going abroad for an exchange is not just "studying in another place" - it is more like a journey of self-exploration. It made me realise that once you take that brave step, the world truly becomes bigger.