00:00In deciding upon universities for graduate and post-graduate studies, students from TNT, if looking abroad, may endeavor to explore
00:09those in the United States of America, Canada, or even parts of Europe.
00:14China might be outside of the box for many, but five TNT nationals have chosen to do just that. Among
00:22them is Daniel John.
00:24John traveled to Beijing, China last year as part of a journalist training course by the China Public Diplomacy Agency
00:31and took a liking to the country.
00:33She didn't know it as yet, but it became the catalyst for an entirely new experience.
00:40Her eagerness towards the culture, people, and environment created connections where the idea of studying in the Asian country was
00:48presented.
00:49This then led to her being offered a scholarship to pursue her master's degree in communications at Beijing Normal University.
00:57John began this journey at the start of the new semester in September.
01:01We caught up with her at the home of the Jamaican ambassador to China, whose wife was instrumental in securing
01:08her the opportunity.
01:09She admits, though, that China was never in her plans.
01:15Honestly, at first I was hesitant, hesitant because it's so far away from home, and I would have had to,
01:22you know, sacrifice living home for such a long period of time.
01:26But I actually got in contact with another student who is studying here in China through Jala as well, and
01:33she told me that her experience was amazing.
01:35So I was like, OK, I need to give this a shot.
01:38John did her bachelor's degree locally, and while she didn't name the institution, she tells us it was an experience
01:45that she didn't enjoy.
01:48So I was very concerned about, like, you know, going through that whole trauma again and studying.
01:53So I had to ensure that what I was getting myself into wasn't something that was too stressful, because I
01:59didn't want to be halfway across the world with no support, no family.
02:03And, you know, I'm just, you know, but she reassured me, she was like, no, this is a great experience.
02:08Like, you know, the teaching style, it's great.
02:12The school system is great.
02:13And she really, really, really assured me that, you know, I should take this step.
02:18John refers to the program as holistic, comprising many elements like culture, journalism and technology.
02:25Another plus is that it is offered in English.
02:29TNT nationals who journey to China will find it quite different.
02:32This ranges from the culture to the vastness of the cities, to some of the cuisine and the technology.
02:39It includes a mostly cashless society where everything can be paid for with a barcode on your mobile phone, even
02:47in rural areas.
02:48The journalist Cambajian University student is already noticing personal changes.
02:54Being in China, builds character.
02:58I am an introvert and I would consider myself, I don't have to, like, say this, but kind of like
03:05a little shelter.
03:06And being in China, being in a country with a language barrier, that really is helping me to, like, it's
03:15helping me to, like, you know, just break out of that shell and, like, be more independent.
03:21Like, you know, you have to think on your feet.
03:23But her university is one of many whose doors are open to foreign nationals and where the courses are offered
03:31in English.
03:32Renman University is another one of them and a sought-after institution.
03:37While at the undergraduate and PhD levels, only one program in each category there is taught in English, at the
03:45master's level, there are 13 options available to English-speaking students.
03:51And I will have a list of the master's programs taught in English for your reference.
03:57And you can see that there are majors about international relations, Chinese school, economics, journalism and communication, and so on.
04:09So if you need this information, you can find it on our website.
04:13And if you're wondering how such an opportunity can be afforded to you in terms of scholarships, you can visit
04:19the website www.chinacampuses.org for more information.
04:26Reporting from Beijing, China, Alicia Boucher, TV6 News.
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