Born in Guangzhou, Natalie Zhao Siyin enrolled in Cultural and Heritage Management at the Macao University of Tourism (UTM). Fascinated by traditional culture since childhood and a frequent museum visitor, she has gained abundant practical experience on campus. After graduation, she will pursue postgraduate studies in Australia, aspiring to act as a bridge linking the public and cultural heritage.
“I have long been captivated by traditional culture and spent much time visiting museums, hoping to develop a career in heritage preservation,” said Natalie. UTM’s programme balances academic theories and hands-on practice with faculty consisting of seasoned industry experts. Apart from systematic lectures and case analyses, the curriculum arranges numerous field trips around Macao’s Historic Centre and face-to-face exchanges with heritage practitioners, which became her key reason for choosing this major.
Diverse Practices Refine Personal Growth and Heritage Expertise
Multiple experiences throughout her university years shaped Natalie’s development. As captain of the Mandarin Debate Team, she led the fledgling squad from scratch to claim third prizes in several inter-regional debating competitions across Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, plus an official invitation to a top-tier national Chinese debating tournament. These challenges cultivated her courage to forge ahead amid difficulties.
In her third academic year, she curated the event “Exploring the Taste of Macao: A Bite of the 1950s”, inviting inheritors of Macanese cuisine and local traditional snacks. Rooted in food culture, the activity uncovered hidden local history and broke the stereotype that heritage is aloof from daily life. She also completed a six-month internship in the Events Planning Department of Macao SAR Cultural Affairs Bureau, participating in full-cycle preparation for iconic events including parades, art festivals and tourism expos, greatly polishing her communication and project coordination skills. During her final year, a field study trip to Sham Shui Po in Hong Kong allowed her to interact with local shop owners and residents, deepening her understanding of intangible cultural heritage and solidifying her ambition to facilitate cultural communication.
Postgraduate Study in Australia & Advice for Prospective Students
Natalie will enroll in the Master of Curating and Cultural Leadership at the University of New South Wales in Australia, eager to integrate Greater Bay Area cultural insights with international industry practices to build a career in cultural management. Looking back on her campus life, she advises prospective applicants: “UTM is packed with precious opportunities. You can acquire essential expertise in class and accelerate personal development via diverse extracurricular activities. Seize every chance, and you will go further than you imagine.”