Kanghan Mao

Why did you choose to transfer to the University of Reading?

I decided to come to Reading in my final year of university for both academic and lifestyle reasons. Academically, Reading allows us to choose our courses freely, so I could select the course that suits my interests and study systematically in the areas that interest me. At the same time, I was eager to experience the life and customs of a foreign country. With this in mind, I chose to come to the University of Reading.

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

Yes. At Reading, the lecturers focus on the knowledge itself, introducing the origin of each concept or theorem as well as how this knowledge is applied in current cutting-edge fields. Furthermore, teachers concentrate on assisting students in developing a knowledge structure. Unlike in China, lecturers at Reading tend to leave some content for students to read after class or encourage them to discuss it with the teacher after class.

Lecturers also suggest additional textbooks and literature for interested students to read to learn more about the subject. There are two types of classes at Reading: lectures, which are primarily knowledge-based, and tutorials, which are a review of knowledge and exercises.

What advice would you give to current students on how to make the most of the transfer experience?

I think the first thing is to communicate regularly with lecturers and make friends with domestic students around you. The lecturers and students here are all very warm-hearted and hospitable. This will not only help you to integrate quickly into local life but also greatly improve your speaking and interpersonal skills.

The second thing is to organise your time wisely. Studying abroad is relatively flexible and we are able to schedule our own time. In this case, it is even more important for us to maintain self-discipline. We can make our life in Reading more enriching and exciting only if we complete our study tasks within the time limit.

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

Reading is a very pleasant town to live in. It has both a quiet and modern atmosphere at the same time. Thanks to its excellent transport links and urban infrastructure, life in Reading is very convenient. During the week, we take the bus to the town centre for shopping, and occasionally we take the train to London during the holidays.

Additionally, Reading is like Silicon Valley in the south of England, and there are plenty of internship opportunities here. Many of my classmates found internships during their holidays to experience the local workplace.

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

I believe that my one-year studying experience at the University of Reading has been extremely beneficial to my future postgraduate studies. Firstly, the University allowed me to choose my courses freely, which enabled me to tailor my studies to the major I wanted to apply for, and has made me better equipped with the necessary background knowledge. Furthermore, the University of Reading is renowned for its strong academic resources and research facilities, which I am confident will give me a competitive edge in my future PhD applications and academic pursuits.

In addition, being immersed in an English-speaking environment has significantly improved my oral and communication skills, giving me the confidence to excel in projects that require interviews or public speaking.

Furthermore, the University of Reading is renowned for its strong academic resources and research facilities, which I am confident will give me a competitive edge in my future PhD applications and academic pursuits.