大象传媒

May enjoys a joke with her family.

When I began my studies here at the University of Leeds in the UK in February 2007, I found things difficult to follow.

I got really bogged down 拖延不前 with minor things such as the registration process at the university and at the police station. Getting basic things done like setting up a bank account is different to what I do in China.

Things are particular difficult for January intake students. No one helps you that much. Everything is late. Most students register for the new term at university in September. I felt very alone.

Tongue-tied  It is really a pity for me to find several students here who are not able to express themselves well enough in English after one or two terms study in the UK.

Luckily I got help from some Chinese students.

As I adapted to life here and made more friends from around the world, I was particularly impressed by a young English guy who speaks Chinese. He set up a company called Chinese Culture Takeaway.

Cultural lessons

Most Chinese students in the School of Education at my university are involved in this programme. We teach children in local primary schools about things related to traditional Chinese culture such as Chinese festivals, Chinese food, Chinese language, music, dancing and folk culture.

It’s nice to have some Chinese friends here in Leeds; living in another culture, life would be lonely without them. But there is something I’ve got to say about many of the Chinese students I have met here. To me, most of them keep themselves to themselves 封闭；局限于小圈子交往; they are isolated from real life and the native people here.

Some seldom show up at the university but stay in their accommodation, chatting on the phone with their friends back in China. Some are always hanging around with 形影不离 their boyfriends; some spend more time at their part-time work place than at the university or in the library.

Wasted money?

It is really a pity for me to find several students here who are not able to express themselves well enough in English after one or two terms study in the UK.

I feel such great pity for them. Is this what they want to get after spending so much money on their studies and life expenses?

I think most Chinese students here in the UK face high expectations 肩负重望, which they are unable to meet, from their family and colleagues in China in relation to improving their English.

I was a university English teacher in China for around ten years, but I still found many language barriers to jump in order to enjoy my life and my studies here.

I also found that most Chinese students here do not socialise. I admit it is much easier and helps fight homesickness 想家 to spend your time only with Chinese friends. Also it is not easy to get along with other students from another part of the world with all the cultural difference that exist.

Business opportunities  I have found that England could be a good market for things from China.

But I feel embarrassed when I hear others talking about Chinese students in an unfriendly way. Like when the time came for Chinese students to hold events during the Chinese spring festival time, some of the other international students refused to work with us.

Social interaction

From my perspective, interacting socially 社会交往 with schoolmates here in Leeds who are from all parts of the world will provide me with wonderful memories.

I would like to be here several more years to get to learn more. As the great master Luxun in China said, "get the essential spirit from the Western society and leave the dregs 糟粕 behind". I would then use my experiences here to work towards a better community and society in China.

I would also like to set up a Sino-British business. I have found that England could be a good market for things from China like accessories, textiles and things for decoration.

All in all there is so much more waiting for me to explore here in the UK in the future!

Do you have a question or comment for May? We will publish all your comments and questions on this page.

你想问 May 什么问题吗？我们将把你的评论或问题在此表页发表

Send her a question by filling in the form at the top of the page or email us at chinaelt@bbc.co.uk

请填写上面的问题反馈表或发邮件给我们 chinaelt@bbc.co.uk