Zechen Duan

Why did you choose to transfer to University of Reading?

Initially, the University of Reading's superior hardware facilities compared to those of NUIST attracted me. This includes the advanced laboratory system for chemistry majors and the newly constructed University Library, which I believed would be beneficial to me in my final year before transferring. Additionally, I intended to apply for a Master's degree at a foreign university after graduating from UoR, which led me to transfer in order to become familiar with UK culture in advance, particularly to enhance my language skills. I also desired to experience university life in a distinct culture and meet more people from all over the world, which I believe the University of Reading can provide.

What have you enjoyed most about the programme?

The UoR programme has provided me with an international perspective and allowed me to experience a unique form of education that domestic universities do not offer, which has significantly enhanced my overall skills. Not only did I acquire a solid foundation in chemistry, but I also learned several transferable skills that I believe will serve me well throughout my life, even if I do not pursue a career in my research field.

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

The University of Reading offers a plethora of resources, both academic and in terms of career guidance, which can be of immense assistance to you. Take advantage of all the resources available to you, improve your practical abilities in all aspects, engage with others, whether they are lecturers or classmates, local or international students from elsewhere, and learn from them. The more you learn about the outside world, the clearer your decision about your future will be, and you will not regret it.

What is your favourite memory of Reading?

I have several favourite memories of Reading, whether it was cooking and socialising in the accommodation with friends, or chatting and studying in the lab with my group's postdoctorate tutor. I also miss spending afternoons and evenings on the tennis courts, and the sound of crashing and laughter on the pool table by the laundry room is often in my ears. I would also like to return to the Whiteknights Lake woods occasionally, to inhale the damp, earthy air in the morning or come in the evening to watch the sun set with the beautiful swans and other animals.

Reading is distinct from London, with its glimmering, traffic-clogged evenings, or Oxford, with its historical gravity and academic formality, but it has its own tranquility and rhythm.