The challenge of academic writing for Chinese students within ...

again and keep on working hard on it. I know it‘s going to be important to fulfil my
career goals. So, I keep telling myself: yes, you can do it and they are just 14 exams.
FS:
Now think back, what have been major influences on your education so far
Peter: I think it‘s my family in particular my father. My attitude towards education has
changed over time. When I was a kid, I didn‘t like to study because my father gave
me impression that having your own business is full of fun and you don‘t need to be
highly educated to have your own business and get rich. My father was actually
educated at senior high school level and was once a school teacher. When I was in
high school, sometimes my father talked about my possible career in the future.
Through these discussions, he convinced me that it‘s not always good choice to have
your own business. It may sound wonderful but it‘s actually full of hardship, pressure
and risk. One maybe is better of being a civil servant with a stable income. In China,
as you know, if you want to be a civil servant, you have to be highly educated.
Because of my father‘s influence and my own thinking on my future, I studied hard
and performed well in high schools just like I mentioned before. By the way, in senior
school I thought I would be medical doctor in the future. So, I studied Chemistry as
my major subject. In one of our conversations, my father asked if I know how long it
takes to become medical specialist before I can make a decent life. There wasn‘t
anyone as a doctor in my family. I thought my father maybe is right. I subsequently
changed my major subject to History. When I went to university in China, I accidently
enrolled on an English major course. Life is full of changes [laughter] and my father
has influenced me most in these changes.
FS:
What motivated you to study in the UK since you’re already enrolled in a prestige
university in China
Peter: I think there were mainly three reasons. Firstly, when I studied in the university in
China, I studied hard for a better future. Ironically, many classmates surround me
spent most of their time playing computer game. I lived in the university
accommodation with another 3 boys. In the same room, it was embarrassing if you‘re
studying while others are playing. I found myself didn‘t fit in the environment. I
thought studying in the UK shouldn‘t have this problem. Secondly, when I went to
Guangzhou to study, I didn‘t speak any Cantonese. In order to learn the language or,
let‘s say, the dialect, I kept listening the radio; watching Cantonese TV programmes;
and listening others talk. Gradually, I could understand and speak the language.
Likewise, I thought if I want to improve my English, studying in the UK maybe is a
good idea since it provides a good English speaking environment. Thirdly, studying in
the UK, in my view, will broaden my life experience.
FS:
So far, what have been the main benefits of studying in the UK
Peter: The main benefit, I would say, is that I become more mature and independent on my
thinking and decision making. Secondly, due to the distance from the home, I
sometimes feel the loneliness. I consider the loneliness could be a good thing in your
life. I know that many of my adult friends have such experience in their life because
they work from home in China. The third benefit is closer relationship with your
family and friend. It is a bit hard to explain. Since I‘m away from home, I haven‘t
seen my family for months now. I miss them and I start to treasure my relationship
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