Hailing from Guangzhou, Ivy Ma Chunan is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel Management at the Macao University of Tourism (UTM). Over four years of undergraduate studies, she has gained cross-industry exposure through overseas exchange programmes, campus competitions, corporate internship and community volunteering. Drawing from her abundant practical experience, she has set her sights on postgraduate studies in new media communication, aiming to integrate her hospitality expertise with emerging communication sectors to build a cross-disciplinary career path.
“I first learned about UTM from news coverage of Professor Peng Liyuan’s campus visit back in my high school years, which left a deep impression on me. Further research revealed this public university run by the Macao SAR Government boasts world-renowned standing in hospitality education, with curricula aligned with global industrial trends,” said Ivy. The university’s internationally oriented programmes and plentiful developmental opportunities were her core motivation to leave Guangzhou and pursue higher education in Macao.
Practical Experiences Cultivate Valuable Insights
Ivy’s six-month exchange semester at Taylor’s University in Malaysia during the second half of her sophomore year ranks as her most unforgettable university memory. While studying abroad, she built lasting friendships through in-depth exchanges with international peers and faculty members. She took hands-on charge of running an on-campus Chinese restaurant, delivered project pitches at innovation summits, and put forward operational optimisation proposals during management meetings at a five-star local hotel. In her spare time, she travelled extensively across Malaysia and Indonesia, broadening her cross-cultural horizons.
Throughout her four-year studies, Ivy participated in academic study tours, club contests, volunteer coordination, rural teaching programmes in mainland China, corporate placements, entrepreneurship competitions and overseas youth forums, alongside part-time work as a student assistant on campus. These diverse real-world engagements helped her build an extensive professional network, foster self-confidence and critical thinking, and inspired her plan to pursue further education in new media after gaining first-hand communications experience during internships.
Encouraging Youngsters to Step Out and Explore
As she prepares to embark on her next academic chapter, Ivy shares a reflective message for prospective students: “The true value of university lies in realising how many outstanding people exist in the world and gaining the motivation to strive alongside them. We pursue higher education not merely for a diploma or financial gains, but to grow into thoughtful, compassionate and insightful individuals.”
She reminds incoming students not to fixate solely on academic grades. By making full use of the university’s rich resources and venturing beyond classroom learning to embrace diverse experiences, students can accelerate personal social development and enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding four-year university journey.