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Meet our students
Our students come from many different countries, including China, Georgia, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Nigeria, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine and Vietnam. Meet some of the international students currently at the ISC:
- Jiming Wang from China
- Jialing Huang (Alex)
- Che-Chuan, Liu (Will) from Taiwan
- Hung-Ju Lin (Rex) from China
- Wai Hin Tung from Hong Kong
- Alona Lishchenko from Ukraine
- Daa Jun Tee from Malaysia
- Buki Saula from Nigeria
We keep in contact with students who have graduated from the Undergraduate Certificate: Meet international students now studying for a degree at Stirling.
Read the ISC blog
You can also read the ISC student blog, to meet Aya Kawanishi from Japan and learn about her life as an International student at Stirling.
Jiming Wang
From: China
Programme: Pre-Masters
Intended degree: MSc Investment Analysis
Stirling is a great place to study. It is difficult to describe the place in just a few words, but these would be: beautiful, special, and ... together. The best thing about Stirling is the beautiful surroundings. I find I can look around me at the scenery and it helps me to envisage the future. I was born in Beijing, which is an enormous city in comparison to Stirling, which is small. But here the people in the town are really friendly. It also feels very safe here. Perhaps this is also because the campus is all in one place.
At first I was very homesick – I couldn’t even iron a shirt! Now I have learned how to do all these kinds of things for myself and it has taught me a lot about life and made me even more determined to enjoy it.
The sports facilities at the University are excellent, and playing sports has been a good way to make lots of friends, with the local people too.
I knew about Stirling from the movies, particularly Braveheart! I think that movie is a good advertisement for Stirling and for Scotland. During my time here I have visited many places outside Stirling, including cities in England. I have found Scottish people to be friendlier. I think that there is a big difference between England and Scotland. Some Chinese people think that all the UK is actually England! Now I know that there are four parts to the UK. I think it is good to understand something about the history of the place in which you are living. I think Scotland is better than England: except at football!!
Jialing Huang (Alex)
From: China
Programme: Undergraduate Certificate in Business and Arts
Intended Degree: BA Finance and Banking
I have made friends particularly with Saudi Arabian students, and also with British students. Playing snooker in the games room in our residence is a very good way to make friends!
At first I was shy, especially as my English was not very good. However we were all in the same situation. Now that my English is better it is much easier to communicate.
Stirling is a good place to study – the people here are friendly, from the local students to the porters in the residences. The campus is big, but comfortable and peaceful. The best thing is the environment: here you are surrounded by nature; and the social environment too. The facilities are quite convenient. The university has great sports facilities, I joined the gym there. Stirling itself is quite small. I have visited many other Scottish cities, as well as London, but I like the feeling here. The Scottish people here all smile!
The facilities – like the Study Zone at the library, are really good. I like the feeling of going into a quiet environment where other people are studying. The staff are friendly too, the librarians helped me with printing out essays for example.
The course here has helped me to get used to academic study; now I feel open to studying. It has helped to prepare me for further study, particularly by helping me to improve basic skills such as writing.
I originally chose Stirling as I have a cousin here. However, when I got here my cousin told me that I needed to live by myself in order to learn independence. My cousin was right!
Che-Chuan, Liu (Will)
From: Taiwan
Programme: Pre-Masters
Intended Masters: MSc Marketing
I have made friends with people from many countries, for instance from Japan, Korea, Switzerland, and Saudi Arabia. Through joining the tennis club I have also made friends with UK students. It is easy to meet new people through joining in with University activities.
The campus is very safe. I like the quiet here as it means you can concentrate on studying, it is not the same as it would be in a big city. There are fewer distractions here.
The facilities are all close by and convenient, and as well as using the sports facilities I have been to the cinema too at the MacRobert Centre on campus. The countryside that surrounds Stirling is beautiful.
I chose Stirling because I don’t like big cities. Stirling has the countryside around it to relax in. I am also very keen on sports, and I knew that Stirling had a very good reputation for sports facilities. My agent handled the application process itself for me, so I just had to organise my visa.
I plan to study for a Masters in Marketing and I would like to apply this in a sports context once I finish. Perhaps I might work for a sports company, in marketing. I would also be interested in finding out more about the Post-Study work scheme which could enable me to work in the UK after I graduate.
Hung-Ju Lin (Rex)
From: China
Programme: Pre-Masters
Intended Masters: Undecided
I have made friends with students of other nationalities, even though I haven’t joined any clubs or societies. It is a good place for international students. The environment is quiet, which makes it a good place for study. It is very green!
The learning spaces and equipment are very good, and the sports are excellent. The town itself is very small – I have visited many places inthe UK, including London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Lancaster. The library here is very convenient and the staff are helpful.
I have made many friends in the residences, and they helped me to get used to the place. I am considering staying on in student accommodation when I begin my Masters. There are plenty of places to get food on campus, and I think that the quality of food here is good.
I chose the course as it would be an easy way to connect into a Masters course. My favourite module has been Operations Management, as production line productivity is something I would like to go on to work with in the future. My English has really improved and I have found the staff to be very supportive. Teachers even help us to find data and material that we can use in our studies.
Wai Hin (Wayne) TUNG
From: Hong Kong
Age: 19
Pathway: Business and Arts
Intended degree: Accounting
“I decided to come to Stirling because I found out it’s good for Finance and Accounting. Also I actually wanted to go somewhere not too close to my friends so that I could focus on my work, learn better English and progress well into my second year.
This is a good university; there are lots of sports facilities, we can play basketball and football. They have good accommodation and I have my own bathroom so I don’t have to share with others. Also I can learn better English because the other students are from every country and you can learn their culture and make lots of friends.
The teachers are good and if we have any problems they are there to help. They teach us good note taking, which is so important later for studying on a university degree.
In my free time, normally I go to my room, and play with my friends on Xbox or watch dramas on TV. When I need to study, I read my books and revise in the library. Stirling is small and quiet. Glasgow is nearby and is good for shopping. It’s a big city and easy to get there by train for around £6.
After university, maybe I’ll go back to Hong Kong and work in my father’s office to get some experience first and after a few years I’ll go out and find my own job in accounting.”
Alona LISHCHENKO
From: Ukraine
Age: 19
Pathway: Business and Arts
Intended degree: Marketing
“I decided to come to Scotland because I thought it would be better to study abroad and because of the nice people of course! I choose Stirling because I can mix marketing and business, and also it’s a top university for those subjects.
On the campus, you have so many neighbours living together – so if you need any help they are close by. The other students can teach you things like how to make some special dishes from their country, so you develop and it’s fun.
I really enjoy studying in class. I don’t feel tired, nervous or pressured; it goes so quickly because it’s different all the time so I only enjoy my subjects! The teachers give me enough time, explain my mistakes and show me how to improve. They have a modern way of teaching, and use the media, so you not only read and write but also use your imagination.
There’s so much good stuff here to enjoy in your free time. We have a very big gym and also the best swimming pool in Scotland. You can watch a sports match - rugby or maybe basketball. I sometimes go bowling with my friend, or we even sing karaoke. Stirling is a quiet place, and it is very beautiful here. There are so many animals, and nature is all around the university so you feel the fresh air.
I want to do a marketing degree, and then after I will try to stay in Scotland. The university can give you the opportunity to work here. I want work here for two years and maybe then I’ll have decided what to do next.”
Daa Jun (Ivan) TEE
From: Malaysia
Age: 18
Pathway: Business & Arts
Intended degree: Financial Management
“I want to learn to be independent, so my Mother gave me permission to study abroad. I choose Stirling because I want to do a financial undergraduate degree and it’s quite famous for being a good university for my subject. Also my brother is in Edinburgh so he can help me and we can be near.
Studying here is very good. You can find nature all around the University campus and there is no pollution. It’s very nice. The city of Stirling is great because this is the first time I have seen buildings made of stone. The teachers are very patient and they really help you understand. I enjoy every subject, although Sociology is a bit harder.
In my free time, sometimes I go to the gym and the sports centre. I spend most of my weekends in Edinburgh visiting my brother, exploring the city and doing some shopping. I have also made a lot of friends from other countries.
I want to study Financial Management and then maybe I will go for postgraduate study and then find a job.”
Buki (Ruth) SAULA
From: Nigeria
Age: 19
Pathway: Business & Arts
Intended degree: Economics and Maths
“I got to know about the university from a UK fair in my own country. I saw the pictures and I really love quiet, natural places (you can see squirrels and ducks on campus!) so that’s what attracted me. I also liked the fact that this foundation course takes me straight into the second year of a degree.
The lessons are good. I love my English classes and business classes. I’ve made a lot of friends from almost everywhere. It feels really good to be in a place with lots of international students.
At the weekend I often hang out with my friends and then I go to church on Sunday. If I finish work early in the week, I go to the gym or just relax in my room.
I love the old buildings here in Scotland, they are fascinating and the aura is really nice. I like walking around and once in a while you even see people in Scottish dress, wearing kilts.
After my degree, I actually want to go back to my country and then come back here and do my masters. Or I might just stay here and start my masters immediately. I haven’t made my mind up yet”
