The Intercultural Communications with Global Business Honours programme provides Chinese students, who have already studied English, with experience in Western business practice, and develops a stepping stone into the world of global business. After completing this course, graduates will be sought-after, both in China and around the world, due to their bilingual language skills and intercultural global business knowledge. Here, we meet one of our current Honours students, Alex Zhang...
Tell us a little bit about your background...
My name is Alex and I am a student from Shanghai, East China University of Political Science and Law. I participated in the BA programme Intercultural Communication for Global Business (ICGB) in 2019 and I am completing my final year currently.
Why did you decide to study at the University of Strathclyde?
Since I was young, I have been highly interested in English and British culture. I had longed to study and live in this country. I heard about the University of Strathclyde when I was in high school. At that time, I learned that many of the majors and courses of Strathclyde are ranked high or even top in the UK, especially business and humanities & social sciences programmes. Therefore, when I learned that I had the opportunity to apply to this university, I did not hesitate to seize the opportunity.
What made you select your programme?
Before entering the University of Strathclyde, I had studied in China as an English major for two years. I hope to use English as a tool to develop in new fields. I have always been interested in cross-cultural issues. The course module of the ICGB project are extremely attractive to me. It covers literature, business language, marketing and management. The course highly aligns with my interests and goals. It is the most important reason why I chose the programme.
What has been the highlight of your time at Strathclyde so far?
I am required to do presentations in many of my classes. I have experienced speaking in front of dozens of people many times. I still remember the first time I gave a speech on stage, I was too nervous to finish a sentence fluently. But I learned from it that after that. For each presentation task, I start preparing PowerPoint's and manuscripts at least one week in advance. I also got a lot of help from the tutors and lecturers. They suggested that I add body language and interaction with the audience in my speech. After trying a few times, I found that it is not so difficult. In contrast, I think making a presentation is an excellent opportunity to show my ideas and communicate with classmates and teachers. I gradually overcame my shyness and now enjoy this task. This is one of my biggest achievements.
What would be your advice for people considering studying at Strathclyde?
University of Strathclyde is like a fertile land. It provides students with good opportunities for development in many aspects. The hardware and software facilities of the university are excellent and worthy of being taken advantage of. The library has an abundance of resources, and almost all references needed in class can be easily found. Also, many databases can be accessed for free through the school account. There's no need to worry about not being able to find references at all. In additon, you can take part in various physical activities in extracurricular time. The university has a very well equipped gym. I often go to play badminton when I have spare time, and the swimming pool is awesome. In short, the university provides a wealth of resources for both intra- and extra-curricular activities. It won't let you down!
What do you hope to do when you complete your programme?
The study experience at Strathclyde has made me clarify my future study direction. It greatly stimulates my interest in international marketing. I have decided to pursue postgraduate study in international marketing after I finish the ICGB programme.
