M.A in Historical Archaeology of the Modern World

Studying abroad has always been my dream, a fascinating yet distant prospect. Thanks to the Bristol University Hong Kong Convocation, I am now able to walk along the slightly crooked Woodland Road on my school days.

Heritage conservation is a pressing issue in Hong Kong that continues to take second place to the demands of the property developers and the needs of an ever growing population whose expectations of their living environment rise continuously. Historical Archaeology, a discipline concerned with the archaeology of the contemporary past, is one of the latest developments in the field. It provides a new perspective to help us think about the challenges we face in a modern society to understand the meaning and significance of the cultural landscape of our city – which forms the basis of any conservation plan. The Historical Archaeology course offered by Bristol University provides me with an intensive training in archaeological and analytical research skills, emphasizing the consideration of the material remains in a global context. What’s more, the department organises various fieldtrips in different parts of Britain, which provides us with on-site training and exposure to the possibilities of historical archaeology. These are invaluable experiences that I will most certainly make good use of in my future conservation research projects in Hong Kong.

Life as a Bristolian is full of new experiences. One of my most important “achievements” is to discover that I actually love cooking. I am living with flatmates from China, Italy, Jordan, Turkey and the UK, and we have lots of cultural exchanges in our big kitchen – in terms of cooking and so much more! I have had an unforgettable birthday in Bristol, where I had a big feast at home with all my new friends – with a basket of home-made Hong Kong egg tarts and a cup of Turkish coffee to read my future! Besides this, the kitchen window in my flat is the best spot for seeing the sunset, I even started a little photography project to record the Bristol sunset through this window!

I had a very good learning experience at Bristol University. A systematic, task-based training from the School of Public Policy not only enriched my knowledge of the subject but also equipped me with a problem-solving perspective; it has enabled me to think about social problems from various standpoints. The programme is outstanding with a well-organized curriculum and a group of renowned scholars in the field. My classmates were brilliant, some of them senior officers of the national governments of their own countries.

Life beyond study at Bristol is fascinating. It is a lovely city with a peaceful environment and friendly people. There is a harmony between urban development and the natural landscape and cultural diversity beneath the metropolitan dynamics; it is an ideal place for a student to concentrate on study while simultaneously enjoying a relaxing life. I was staying in accommodation run by the Methodist church on a non-profit basis. The residents there were postgraduate students who came from all over the world; this was a community of love and friendship; we were close to each other and there was a warm atmosphere of mutual understanding and support. I will never forget the time we shared and enjoyed in the little white house. The Bristol experience has not only broadened my horizon but also nourished my mind with genuine friendships from various parts of the planet.

Studying at Bristol opened a window for me to pursue advanced studies and I am now working on my PhD at the Department of Government and Public Administration of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. I am sure that I made a correct decision and I am thankful for all the joy and happiness around me during one of the most wonderful years of my life. I would like to take this opportunity to express my immense gratitude once again to the Bristol University Convocation (Hong Kong Branch) for their sponsorship and encouragement.

MSc in Aerospace Engineering in the Department of Aerospace Engineering.

Reaching for the blue sky and having my dream come true both happened for me in Bristol. Can you imagine how rewarding it felt to have the honor to take part in an Airbus project? Thanks to the Hong Kong Bristol Alumni Scholarship, I had an opportunity to experience this wonderful year, one of the most important years of my life.

The University of Bristol plays a key role in the aviation industry. Many impossible projects were made possible in Bristol. The famous Concorde supersonic airliner is one of the many examples. During my year of study, I had a chance to work with the smartest and most experienced people in the aviation field. I am indebted to my supervisor and colleagues, whose experience, stimulating suggestions and encouragement helped me through all the challenges. In addition to gaining aircraft technical knowledge in the classroom, I even had a 'hands-on' experience and flew a glider! Bristol is far beyond your imagination.

Bristol is simply lovely. A modern society is embedded in the historical city. Every corner of the city is made of history, yet it is so energetic. In Bristol, the multicultural living environment enables you to get in touch with people from any corner of the world. Hiking with friends in the Lake-district, enjoying a football night in an historic public house, over-night chatting at the river side, star watching sitting on the grass... all these snapshots construct my memory of Bristol. I am so glad I spent a year in Bristol, fruitful not just professionally but also personally with so many new and wonderful experiences and people. There is no doubt that the chance of studying there has created lifelong precious memories. Such memories should be experienced at least once in a life time and will last forever.

I have returned to Hong Kong and am now working in HAECO, an aircraft maintenance company in Hong Kong. Although my daily work is not directly related to my research topic, the year in Bristol certainly enriched my knowledge of aerospace engineering and further strengthened my interest to work in the field of aeronautical engineering. It's my passion to work with airplanes and a dream come true.

MSc in International Relations

When I had the good fortune to receive the scholarship I had been working as a reporter for the Ming Pao newspaper for seven years. I had become increasingly interested in the social and political news and routinely covered issues like the right of abode, human rights, Article 23 and those sorts of topics. I felt passionate about constitutional development and democracy in Hong Kong and was active in the Hong Kong Journalists Association. By 2003 the time was right to take a sabbatical to reflect on my experiences and to learn more about the issues for which I cared so much in a wider, international context. Studying abroad seemed to give me the chance to learn more about my topic, more about the world and more about myself. Bristol certainly gave me the chance to do all of that; the house I lived in was a United Nations in itself with graduate students from Kenya, Norway, Greece and Taiwan. I loved the city and all its facilities and the fact that everything was so much more affordable than it would have been in London. Movies, a nationally renowned theatre company, the cafes and restaurants by the harbour and so many things in walking distance of each other. The historical side of the city was also very appealing to me, just strolling around was a pleasure enjoying the old buildings – much better than the modern stuff! I even chose to write my thesis in the Wills Memorial Library because its traditional character created such a scholarly environment to work in. Now I am back in Hong Kong and these days am a senior reporter on the South China Morning Post news desk – still fascinated by the world around me and with wonderful memories of my year in Bristol.

My name is Anna, the recipient of the scholarship from Hong Kong Branch of Convocation during 2003-04. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the donors of the scholarship and all the hard work contributed by the committee of Hong Kong Branch of Convocation.

This scholarship enabled me to pursue my dream of studying for a masters degree overseas. I successfully completed my masters degree in Economics, Finance and Management with a commendation grade, and I am currently working as a research executive at the Social Sciences Research Centre of the University of Hong Kong.

The time I spent in Bristol was a fruitful year. The quality of education at the University of Bristol, British culture and the people I met really impressed me. It was very challenging and beneficial to study with people of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds. The interaction did much to help me form new ideas and to enhance my communication skills. I also acquired greater understanding of their traditions and the economic situation in their home countries. Being an international student, I never felt lonely as I had made a lot of friends from different countries and this was not only exciting on a social level, but could also lead to important overseas contacts in later professional life, as we still keep in touch with each other.

Apart from study, there were also exciting opportunities for international students. The host family link provides an invaluable opportunity for international students to spend their holidays in local families' homes. At Christmas 2003, I spent a few days living with a British family in Burton. This visit allowed me to experience a traditional British Christmas and understand more about British lifestyle and cuisine, etc. I was able to discuss some current issues with my host family and gain appreciation of their attitudes and opinions. I could also share my own customs and opinions with them, and answer some of their questions about Asian countries.

In today's climate of economic globalization, I believe, this international exposure and the knowledge I gained will enhance my personal development, benefit my career and hence, allow me to contribute to Hong Kong.