Member Article

Business School promotes internationalism

Four Chinese students on Newcastle University Business School’s 2+2 Honours Degree programme have spoken of their love of studying in the city.

The four undergraduates, aged between 20 and 22 have already started the fourth and final year of their 2+2 Business Degree which began with two years in China at Xiamen University - one of China’s top 20 universities - with a further two years in Newcastle studying combinations of Economics, Business, Accounting and Finance.

“Before starting this degree none of us had ever really been anywhere,” said Shuangshuang Shi, 22, from Xiamen, “so to come to Newcastle and experience cross cultural communication, meeting people from across Europe and the rest of the world has been a huge benefit.

“In China we are given little time to ourselves and activities generally all take place on campus, on coming to Newcastle the teaching style is more varied, focused on self study with more individual flexibility.”

This Xiamen University student group is just a small part of Newcastle University Business School’s ongoing plans for internationalisation which has seen it develop its 2+2 diploma programmes leading to close relationships with educational institutions across South East Asia, India as well as China.

“This group of students from Xiamen University has adapted really well,” said Dr Lana Liu, Joint Head of International Undergraduate Recruitment.

“It can be difficult for the new Chinese intake but they have proved that with the right mentoring and support it is possible for international students to thrive.”

Josie McLaren, Joint Head of International Undergraduate Recruitment, said: “Our mission is to be an international business school so rather than attracting a large group of students from one specific area we look to attract a diverse range of students from different backgrounds and nationalities. We are now looking to expand the 2+2 programme into Europe and the US.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .