Meng Zhan 2015

Meng joined the University in 2013 as part of the Pre-Masters programme with Xiamen University. After receiving a Distinction in his MSc Education, Meng began his PhD study in September 2015, with VC scholarship.

Meng has worked as the Student Advisor for the Faculty International Office since April 2016.

In Southampton, you can study from the best minds in Education and enjoy the best sunshine in the UK. Don’t miss the chance!

 

 

How did you find the application process through the Partnerships Office?
 The whole application process was quite smooth and reassuring. It is no exaggeration to say that I knew I would be accepted by the UoS even before I submitted my application. Teachers and tutors in the XMU gave us regular assessments to see whether we reached the requirement and expectation of the University of Southampton. Administrative Officer from the International College also provided us step-by-step demonstration and instruction about how to apply. What I need to do was just focusing on my study, as I knew I have a strong and reliable team to help me every time when I need them. 

How did the University of Southampton and the International Partnerships Office specifically help in enhancing your study experience in the UK? 

The programme I took was not a partnership programmes at that time, so I am afraid I could not give answer about how did the IPO office help me, but I would like to share my feeling about how did  the uni help in enhancing my learning experience. Please see below:

In our first semester, the Education School provided us additional weekly academic English support. That was really useful for international students who were new to the English learning environment.

What do you like most about your course? Why did you choose it over other international options? 

Southampton Education School is one of the best Education Schools in the UK and across the world. What made it great and will make it greater are the teachers in this school. They are not only good at teaching and doing research, but also nice and kind. From the MSc Education Leadership and Management course, I learnt how to do education research. It helped me built a solid foundation for my PhD study.

Are there any challenges you faced studying and living in the UK? 

I found the first year was the most difficult. The new education system, different language environment, and the culture shock made the study even more challenging. Luckily, the one-year study in the XMU made me more prepared for these challenges, and the support and wellbeing team from University of Southampton also gave me lots of valuable advices when I felt depressed and disorientated. 

Would you recommend studying at Southampton to other potential international students?

Yes! In Southampton, you can study from the best minds in Education and enjoy the best sunshine in the UK. Don’t miss the chance!