Postgrad UK 2008/2009 - (Page 61) www.prospects.ac.uk/PostgradUK Science and Engineering 61 Material girl Wen Ming Zhao is studying a PhD in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Bristol. I studied Powder Metallurgy in the Department of Material Science and Technology at Hefei University of Technology and then worked for a year as an engineer for a Japanese automobile company in China (Yangzhou) before taking up a Masters in Thermal Barrier Coating at Shanghai Jiaotong University. When I completed my Masters I worked for a scientific company in Shanghai for six months before starting my PhD in Bristol. MORE TO LEARN There is a lot to learn to be true) and that UK universities invested a lot of time and attention in teaching their students, including international students. I chose Bristol as Filton is world famous for its aviation. A famous Chinese physicist (Huang Kun) studied in Bristol and, in school, I read a biography of Winston Churchill and I found out that he was a former Chancellor of the University. Bristol had many good associations for me! My PhD has allowed me to develop my skills in research, presentation and writing. I’ve also been given the training to use the laboratory facilities independently, something that I was not able to do before. Once I have completed my PhD I hope to work in the Aerospace industry in the UK and then return to China to bring my new skills back home. A HELPING HAND I’ve received a lot of about science and engineering and I always want to know more. I also eventually want to work in industrial management in China – hopefully after some years working in the UK – and doing a postgraduate course was a good way to work towards this goal. I had the opportunity to study in many different countries but I thought the UK was the most modern and ‘civilised’ country to study in. I’d also heard that the British people were very friendly (and that has turned out support from the University. Before you arrive, you book your accommodation, and this all worked very well for me. The International Office and the Postgraduate Office also sent regular emails before I arrived to check that everything was going OK. On my first day in Bristol, I arrived late at night, and the warden was waiting up to welcome me, which was very nice. The University also puts on a fair to introduce you to all the clubs and societies you can join, and there was a good welcome programme and induction events. One advantage of studying in the UK is meeting people from many different countries – I have found this opened my mind to new experiences and cultures. As regards to studying, I appreciate the fact that I am given time to think through ideas properly and the atmosphere is not too rushed. Sometimes the varied social life can be a bit of a distraction from study if you’re not careful! I have found it quite easy to settle in – I have lived in Shanghai, where the lifestyle is not so different in many ways to life in the UK. http://www.prospects.ac.uk/PostgradUK
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