By Ou Chuyao
Autumn is a season of harvest, reflection, and new beginnings. For senior students who have earned the qualification for postgraduate recommendation, it is an especially significant time. In September and October, three years of relentless effort finally bear fruit, as they strive through one last sprint to secure a place in their ideal universities and programs.
Contrary to popular belief, students with postgraduate recommendations do not simply wait for outcomes in ease. Instead, they face no less pressure and anxiety than others—worrying about interview qualifications, deliberating between different universities, and making difficult trade-offs. Fortunately, six students from the English Department of the School of International Studies have successfully achieved their goals through the recommendation process, gaining clearer visions for their future paths.
Chen Zhuoer and Li Mengjia participating in the “Baiyang-Chuanyin” Summer Practice Team
Having successfully earned postgraduate recommendations to the Communication University of China’s National Key Laboratory of Media Convergence and Communication, Li Mengjia and Li Jichu see their journey as both a continuation of their English major background and a profound process of self-discovery.
Li Mengjia describes the experience as a “three-year marathon”. She explains, “I strived to maintain a high GPA while exploring how to leverage my language skills in global communication. There were moments of uncertainty and pressure, but I’ve learned to trust the process.” She encourages younger students to believe in the power of consistent effort, noting that every step taken toward a goal will eventually bear fruit.
Li Jichu approached the process as an exploration of what she truly wanted. “Rather than chasing prestigious titles, I focused on finding the field that genuinely interested me,” she says. Through careful consideration, she transitioned from English to International Communication. She emphasizes the importance of working at one’s own pace, concentrating her efforts on a few well-matched programs rather than applying broadly. “It’s about finding the right fit, not having it all,” she concludes, wishing all students a smooth journey to their ideal programs.
Academic event scene at the National Key Laboratory of Media Convergence and Communication, Communication University of China (Source: Internet)
Similarly achieving remarkable success in cross-disciplinary postgraduate recommendations is Chen Zhuoer, who has been admitted to the Peking University School of Transnational Law. She emphasizes that a lack of foundational knowledge should not deter aspirants—what matters is making an early decision and planning strategically. “Academic ranking is the cornerstone, and English proficiency must stand out,” she noted. As English majors, she advises striving for high scores in standardized tests like CET-6, IELTS, or TEM-4, and actively participating in English competitions.
Meanwhile, Liu Xinyu, admitted to Beijing Language and Culture University for Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages, discovered her passion for international Chinese education through tutoring and museum guiding. She encourages students to explore various fields boldly before finding their true calling: “Even if you never find it, the process of trial and error will help you understand what you don’t want, which is also a valuable gain.” Regarding university selection, she advises against being limited by the “prestigious title” of institutions: “No matter which school or major you choose, the core of success always lies in solid competence.”
Liu Xinyu serving as an English docent at the Communication Museum, responsible for receiving the delegation from Zimbabwe.
Among this year’s recommended students, two have chosen to continue their journey with their undergraduate major: Li Linlu, admitted to the Communication University of China for English Translation, and Ou Chuyao, admitted to the same university for English Language and Literature. Driven by their passion for the discipline and career considerations, they firmly decided to deepen their expertise in the field of foreign languages and cultures, hoping to combine bilingual communication with the media industry and contribute to sharing China’s stories with the world. Their decision was also influenced by the academic environment at Communication University of China, the inspiring faculty, and the professional opportunities in Beijing.
For them, preparing for the interviews felt like an intensive comprehensive examination. Both students shared that they invested significantly more time and energy than ever before—studying “almost every waking moment for a full week”.Ou Chuyao reflected, “It was arguably the most intense preparation period of my undergraduate studies. The density of knowledge was immense—content I expected to learn over one or two years flooded into my mind within just a week.” Fortunately, their solid foundational knowledge paid off, and both successfully passed their interviews, ready to open a new chapter with the School of International Studies.
Academic event at the School of International Studies, Communication University of China (Source: Internet)
Beyond sharing their experiences, all six students enthusiastically offered advice to their younger peers. They emphasized the value of gaining diverse internship and practical experiences before committing to postgraduate studies. Such experiences not only enrich one’s resume and showcase comprehensive skills but also allow the application of professional knowledge—especially in improving oral English proficiency. More importantly, these opportunities help students explore and plan their future academic and career paths, enabling them to better understand their strengths and passions.
Postgraduate education, they noted, is not merely about obtaining a higher degree—it is about fighting for personal convictions and laying a solid theoretical foundation for one’s ideals. In addition to understanding one’s interests, excelling in one’s undergraduate major is crucial. Even if the chosen major is not the most preferred due to various reasons, the knowledge and skills gained during undergraduate studies will always bring invaluable benefits. Disciplines are interconnected—only with a solid foundation can one draw inferences and apply knowledge across domains, paving the way for more confident strides into the future.
School of Foreign Studies, Communication University of China (Source: Internet)
The preparation for postgraduate recommendation is a unique journey—neither too long nor too short. For some, it is a blitzkrieg week of gathering materials, submitting applications, and rushing between interviews at different universities. For others, it is an emotionally taxing month, filled with daily battles against pressure and self-doubt, yet also a time for self-reorganization and determined action. For many, it is the culmination of three years of consistent diligence and dedication—translated into the numbers on a transcript or certificate. It can be a dream nurtured since the college entrance examination, or the courage to deepen one’s expertise and write the next chapter of life with one’s own hands. No matter the path, students of the School of International Studies are always on the move.
Editor: Fang Yiran
Managing Editor: Shao Jianyu
Managing Editor: Yu Ran,Yang Zhongtian
