Final-year undergraduate Mars Han, from northern China, says he significantly improved his English-language skills at UTM, adding that the University’s supportive environment played a big part in his personal and academic development. Mars encourages young people from mainland China to study at UTM
Mars Han Wenze, due to graduate from UTM this summer with a Bachelor of Science in Tourism Business Management, attributes his personal and academic development over the past four years to the University’s enriching environment. The student, who hails from Zhangjiakou in Hebei Province, in northern China, says that his time at UTM has offered him much more than scholarly knowledge.
“I’ve learned how to look at things from multiple angles,” he says.
He praises the University’s English-language environment, believing it has broadened his understanding of the world.
Mars notes that he struggled to keep up at the start of his UTM studies, due to his unfamiliarity with using English in a classroom setting. “The English Centre at UTM meant a lot to me. Many passionate lecturers there helped me build confidence in learning English, and shared their experiences and techniques with me,” he says.
By enhancing his English proficiency, Mars says he was also able to improve his academic performance. “There is a lot of research information accessible in languages other than in Chinese. However, as Chinese speakers we can access this knowledge if we also master English, allowing us to build a comprehensive and solid background” concerning various topics, he says.
Mars was actively involved in university affairs at UTM. He served as a student representative on the Pedagogic Council. In addition, he was a ‘Green Ambassador’, promoting environmentally-friendly practices among fellow students and University staff.
He also got involved in debating contests. “I participated in the Macao Inter-Tertiary Debate Competition during my time at UTM, and our team won second place,” he recalls.
“Participating in debate competitions helped shape my way of thinking and build a foundation for how I deal with problems,” Mars says, adding he is grateful for the university’s support. “UTM invited experts in debate to train us, which enabled us to excel.”
Mars highly recommends that young people from northern China consider studying at UTM. “When you step onto the campus, you will have the opportunity to explore your interests and discover what you are good at,” he says.
For students who are not from one of Macao’s neighbouring cities, “learning how to overcome the differences of other cultures, languages, and lifestyles will help you develop, and it will be of benefit to your future,” Mars concludes.
Editor: UTM Public Relations Team
