On my registration day, a young, energetic man walked into our lecture theatre. He was in his mid-thirties, dressed very casually. He swiftly unloaded his boxes of materials on the table and started to address all of us, "Welcome to this MSc programme..." I, among many others, was very surprised when I realized he was the course director! I must say I was impressed by the friendliness shown by the teaching staff and the department. I was pleased to be able to learn in such a friendly and relaxed environment and am sure that this helped a great deal in my course of study.

The diversity in student life offered at Bristol is also worth a mention. Students are from all parts of the world, and this blend of international students enabled me to have a more international outlook and was helpful in my pursuit of studies in international relations. I'm lucky to have been able to do my MSc here in Bristol-where the university is basically located in the city centre-it is a lovely place to be, indeed. There's much more to it than just student life. I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to the Hong Kong Convocation for their sponsorship that made my study here possible.

The idea of one day becoming an educational psychologist seemed like a very exotic and fanciful dream. Now I have received my initial training as an educational psychologist, by studying for an MEd in Psychology at Bristol University. I was supported in my endeavours by the University of Bristol Hong Kong Alumni Scholarship.

Bristol provided me with the necessary foundation in enabling me to achieve the Graduate Basis for Registration (GBR) via the Bristol course. My MEd is recognized by the British Psychological Society as the entry qualification to a professional training course such as the MSc in Educational Psychology that I then went on to read at Sheffield University. Besides, it consolidated my theoretical background in current psychological theory and understanding of learning disabilities for my professional practice in the future. I am now an educational psychologist in the School Development Division of the Special Education Section of the HK SAR Education and Manpower Bureau, and so have been able to reach my dream of serving children with special needs (SEN) in Hong Kong.

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the help and encouragement from my sponsors in Hong Kong.

In 1999, I was granted the University of Bristol Hong Kong Alumni Scholarship. Thanks to help from the Hong Kong Convocation, I was able to spend a year in the University of Bristol pursuing my master’s level course in Computer Science.

I am working now as a system analyst in a US software development company based in Hong Kong. A year in Bristol not only upgraded and prepared my knowledge for my present job, I could also meet many good friends from Holland, Germany, France, Greece, Sri Lanka, India, Japan and of course the UK, developing a lifelong friendship with them. In addition, I volunteered in community services provided by a local church when I was free. That experience was invaluable to me in understanding and appreciating western culture and living.

Hong Kong is an international city and China is now a member of the WTO. The contribution of people with good knowledge of different cultures will become more and more important. I am, therefore, confident that I am well prepared for future challenges in Hong Kong thanks to my experiences in Bristol.

I am so thankful for the support from the Hong Kong Convocation!

With the help of the Alumni Scholarship, I studied for a Master of Arts in Legal Studies at Bristol from 1997-99. It definitely was a life-changing experience for me. Not only did I acquire a basic knowledge of law, but also I was exposed to a different and diversified culture. Pubbing, clubbing, over-night chatting with friends from all over the world, strawberry-picking, mooting in classes etc. were all unforgettable experiences that enriched my life. Analysing things from different aspects is very important to a journalist.

After studying law, I can examine news issues from both journalistic and legal perspectives, making my reporting more thorough. Thank you so much for offering me this chance and I will continue to serve our community by being a devoted journalist.