贝勒比斯学院毕业后的成功

Kiki Liu

"When I was 16 I came to the UK and started my Pre-GCSE course in June 1999.  As a young Chinese student who lived far away from home, the biggest challenge was not the language barrier but self-management.  I took control of my finances, which included tuition fees and living expenses, and my own study and living schedules.  During that period, managing myself was the most important assignment.  With help from my teachers and the school staff, I won the top student award in the following year for being the GCSE student making ‘Best Progress’.

My first year at Bellerbys College Brighton was actually my best time in the UK, as I started to broaden my view through interacting with different cultures.  Classmates came from all over the world, and we were like sisters and brothers who studied together, had lunch together, played together and travelled together.  Chris, our Child Protection and Welfare Officer, acted like a mother and our teachers were more like counsellors and friends who guided us through our early education abroad.

The study workload became heavier in A Level, and I can even say that it was one of the most important periods in my education.  The subjects you pick, the results you get and the knowledge you have during this time will lead you to your chosen university and your possible career path in the future.  Textbooks became thicker, essay standards become higher and English becomes more difficult.  However, one thing did not change, it was the support I received from my teachers and the school staff.

When I looked at the student notice board of my school, I did not see any Chinese student who had achieved ‘A’s in all their A Levels for the previous two years.  I set myself a goal that I wanted to be the Chinese student who would achieve that, and I did.  Later, I received a letter from Edinburgh University, offering me the opportunity of direct entry into the second year.  According to my A Level teachers, it was a rare opportunity for an international student and they all believed in me. So, I accepted the challenge and left my second home town.

It was a tough time when I first came to Edinburgh.  Most of my fellow students had spent a year there and made lots of friends whilst I came alone.  With help from my director of studies and others, I gradually understood the essay requirements at university level and made some valuable friends.  At last, I graduated with an upper second class honour degree and joined Wal-Mart Global Procurement in China.

My time at King’s has just begun and it is interesting to study in England again and switch back to being a student.  Last week, I visited the new Brighton Study Centre and met many old friends.  The brand new building looks marvellous and acts as a modern campus which gathers students together.  I understand that things will not stay where they are forever, but I have to say that I miss House 20/44/47 (the old Bellerbys College buildings) a lot, as it contained lots of precious memories for me at Bellerbys College in Brighton."