Interview
Meet Clio from China
Name: Clio (Xiaofang), Hou
Home Country and City: China, Beijing
Programme of Study: Master\'s Programme in Finance
Favourite thing about Umeå University: Lake and library
Favourite Swedish word or custom: Hejhej! (You can say hejhej to the King. How fun it is!)
Three words to summarise your time in Umeå: Interesting, happy and enjoyable
Why did you choose to study at Umeå University?
My first impression of Umeå University came from its website. I read information about Umeå University and realized that it was an amazing university which includes so many international students. So actually the great extent of culture diversity was the key for me to choose this university. Here everyone has their rights and are equal to put forward their own opinions and ideas no matter where they come from. I think the smooth communication and casual study environment are another two critical reasons not only for me, but also for other international students here to choose Umeå University.
Privately, here is another reason. Studying in Umeå University gives you plenty of opportunities to see aurora borealis (northern lights), which is what I have dreamed of. You have lots of time to test your luck from October to next year April.
What do you like most about your programme?
The projects in the financial courses are my favourite. In each course, you learn not just knowledge in books, but you can also learn how to deal with true financial problems. They most "cool" thing is that we got the capability to solve the problem between corporate work and independent thinking from course project.
What has been your most memorable moment about the programme so far?
I was not good at English. When I arrived here, the most scary thing to me were presentations. I envisioned many scenarios how bad I would behave after being exposed to the western educational style. Maybe I would fall down before I started. Or I would get stuck somewhere while doing a presentation as I maybe forget what I should say, etc. As it turned out, everything that I was afraid abou turned out to be unnecessary. Fortunately, it was not like what I imagined. I have great classmates and teachers. They compensated stuff that you forget to mention and they encouraged and supported me all the time. They thought I did well, which gave me more confidence than before. Until now I always think how lucky a person I am to have this experience.
What do you do when you’re not studying?
Sleeping, watching TV drama and shopping. I have a really simple but casual life as I want. But the most amazing thing is to hang out with friends and do fika with them. Why do I think it is the most fun? Because our university is an international university. There are not only Swedes but also many students come from other countries. Sometimes very small things you can imagine from your aspect can be totally different from the aspect with students with other cultures, which I learned a lot from the practical communication with them. You can really learn totally different ways of thinking from people with different cultures. So for me, when I am not studying, I feel I am also studying because I truly learn all the time.
What you like best about the town of Umeå and its surroundings?
The skiing tracks in winter is what I like most. What\'s more, it is free. It makes me feel that the public service is really good because they even consider how much fun they can give to people, making us not feel so bored in the winter. Except that, we can experience nature everywhere. Just take deep breath whenever you want. That is so great!
What do you find as the biggest cultural difference, both socially and educationally, from your country with Sweden?
When I arrived in Sweden, lots of people told me Swedish guys are quite shy. And then they look around find Chinese there, most of them will add more one sentence: not shy like the Chinese, though the other comments we can hear often is related to feminism in Sweden. If someone knows China well, they know feminism in China is even more respected. All these chitchats are actually originated from our culture and education system difference. In China you have standards that can follow such as how to be a person. We grow up with the pain that we cannot image if we haven\'t experienced. As to how to be a student in China, your teacher is definitely a teacher. The obvious reason is that they know something you don’t know and you have to listen, which means that you cannot disturb them or interrupt their fluent thinking. However, in Sweden, you can ask questions whenever you want. Something like this can let us become more critical and innovational. I don’t want to say which one is not nice or more suitable. It is up to us to decide what you want more.
What you would say to another international student thinking of attending Umeå University?
Hejhej, from my point of view it is a nice choice to study in Umeå University. You can see the northern lights and participant in the colourful life here. You will also feel -30 ℃. It is not as horrible as you imagine. Most importantly, you will experience everything interesting on your own and you will not regret! Welcome to Umea University.
What are you career aspirations?
I cannot say what kind of job I will take now. But for me, I want to feel and enjoy the world first. There are so many things that we don’t know. To experience a new culture would always be a great choice for me. Although my country opened thirty years ago, we still need to learn a lot from other countries all over the world. I would like to be an atom when I experienced and worked so that I can take something back.
