Scholars - Yusi Liu

 

Sponsor Counsellor: Dr. Robert Jones
Rotary Club of Bangor, District 1180, Gwynedd, the UK

Host Counsellor: Mrs. Linda O’Brien
Rotary Club of Bentleigh Moorabbin Central, District 9810, Victoria, Australia

Home address:
64 Penchwintan Road,
Bangor, Gwynedd, UK
LL57 2YA

 

Yusi arrived in Melbourne in February 2008 and will study for a Master of Cultural Heritage at Deakin University over two years. Her background and fields of study are described in the following letter that Yusi sent ahead of her arrival in Australia:

 

"23rd Oct, 2007

Dear Rotarians,

My name is Yusi Liu, from Beijing (China), and you can call me Yusi. I have just graduated with an Upper Second class Honours degree in BSc Psychology from Bangor University in the UK. You may want to read my graduation story at the following link:

http://www.bangor.ac.uk/studentlife/news/yusi_graduation.php.en

 

I have been in the UK for four and a half years so far. I studied a one-and-a-half-year Foundation Course, which included English language, British Culture along with Sociology, Psychology and History at ELCOS (English Language Centre for Overseas Students). I got Distinction and successfully entered Bangor University to continue three years BSc Psychology study. I have been having a busy, but very colourful and enjoyable life here; particularly I have been very involved in University student life, in volunteering works and local communities.

 

You can probably guess, the UK, particularly Wales is like my second home now. I will be sad to leave, but it has prepared me well for going into a new culture and I am excited to go to Australia.

My extra-curricular achievements and involvement with community organisations, as well as academic achievement received approval and recognition from both Bangor University and the British Council, and won me the Certificate: “Outstanding Contribution to Student Volunteering” and the title: “Wales International Student of the Year 2007” respectively.

If you would like, you can read these stories by click the following links:

http://www.bangor.ac.uk/studentlife/news/student_volunteers.php.en

http://www.bangor.ac.uk/studentlife/news/yusi.php.en

 

I feel absolutely honoured to get the Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship, and very grateful for the kindness, generosity and the support from the Rotarians of District 1180, especially Bangor Rotarians (Rotary Club of Bangor, Gwynedd is my sponsor club). I have known this club for more than two years, attended their talks, meetings, social events, and served the local community with the Rotarians. The Rotary Club of Bangor is a very welcoming and warm group, and I got a lot of help, gained a lot of knowledge, and am inspired a lot by them. The previous Ambassadorial scholars were also fantastic models for me. All these factors strengthened my motivation to apply for this scholarship, and I was delighted to win it.

 

You may wonder what I am doing at the moment. Well, I am still in Bangor, taking Spanish and French courses, which I really enjoy, because I am fascinated about other languages and I want to use these languages to communicate with more people and communities in the future. My passion is working and dealing with people of all kinds, and using language is one of the most powerful tools to break barriers between different cultures. During my stay in the UK, I also learnt some Japanese and I found the more languages I have (even only a little), the less distance between me and different cultural groups. I would love to continue this in Australia.

 

Presently, I am also voluntarily working as a Room Steward at Penrhyn Castle, one of the largest properties of the National Trust in the UK, interpreting and explaining the castle’s properties and history to visitors, as well as answering their queries, which has been a fantastic learning opportunity for me in dealing with people and understanding cultural heritage.

Of course, I am continuing my Culture Promotion. A few days ago, I went to a Primary School to introduce Chinese Moon Festival to the children, and had a fantastic China Day with more than 200 children and teachers together.

 

While I am in Australia, I hope to continue to be involved in working with international communities and organisations. I cannot wait to meet you all to tell you more about the British and Chinese cultures, learn about Australian culture, promote cultural diversity, and work with local communities. The opportunity to study Master of Cultural Heritage at Deakin University is fantastic, and it means so much to me to be able to access the expertise of its Cultural Heritage Centre for Asia and Pacific (CHCAP).

 

I am really looking forward to coming to Australia. Although I have never been there before, not even to the Southern Hemisphere, in my mind I have a strong image of what I will meet. For me, Australia is a country full of sunshine, mystery, attraction, energy and enthusiasm. I know it is going to be a challenge to start a new life in a completely new environment again, but I feel I am ready for it and I believe it will be an unforgettable and splendid experience for me. With the support and assistance of the Rotarians from District 9810, I will do my best to be a worthwhile Ambassadorial Scholar.

 

I have not told you everything about me, because you will find out more when I am there. So, for now my first warm hello to everyone, and I look forward to meeting you all.

 

Yusi Liu

If you would like to read my news and winning letter for the Wales International Student of the Year 2007, please click on the following link, and this will tell you a little more about my life. "

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_west/6510097.stm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/northwest/sites/bangor_life/pages/yusi.shtml

 

If you wish to contact Yusi while she is in Melbourne, please do so through either her host counsellor Linda O'Brien or through Scholarships Chairman Peter Murie