Yilin Li

What do you like most about Reading town, and why?

• Reading is an English town with a blend of history and modern architecture, and boasts beautiful and picturesque landscapes.
• Reading benefits from an excellent transport network, with many bus routes and direct access to the town centre and train station from the school. Direct rail links to London and southern destinations make travel a breeze.
• The population is relatively small, making it a safe place to reside.
• There are many convenience stores and supermarkets in Reading, making it a convenient place to live.

Are there any differences between the teaching mode at Reading and NUIST? If yes, what are the differences?

• UoR classes use more interactive activities. The University provides a range of career planning and introduction sessions to guide us towards our professional aspirations, and there are plenty of opportunities for internships and practical work. Furthermore, there are more opportunities to communicate with lecturers and professors, such as during tea/coffee sessions or lunch talks each semester.
• There are more group projects and tasks, which allow us to communicate with classmates from all over the world. As a result, we can improve our language skills, team spirit, and adapt to an international study and life environment.
• There are more essays and dissertations to work on. This means we conduct extensive research in our areas of expertise. The University's student support team offers personal sessions to assist with academic research and writing methods, and free academic English language courses are available to all international students. We can see clear progress in the capacity of both academic research and English reading and writing skills during the intense writing process.

Which aspects of the course do you think have been most beneficial to your master’s/PhD application and study?

Course papers and group projects have been very helpful in improving my English writing and presentation skills, which is crucial for me to tackle the more demanding academic programme now required for my PhD study.

Tutorials have been invaluable in helping me develop my professional skills. UoR uses small-group, discussion-based teaching methods, where the instructor breaks down the key ideas from the main lecture for us to consider and discuss. With only 10 to 20 students in each tutorial, we can talk freely and get in-depth, one-on-one tutoring.

What is your favourite memory of Reading?

One of my favourite memories of Reading is joining my classmates on a field trip around campus to explore the carbon sequestration capacity of trees. The University of Reading is one of the most beautiful university campuses in the UK, with lush vegetation cover and stunning scenery. Studying and living in such an environment has been a delightful experience.