Monash University is one of the members of Group of Eight in Australia, and it is also dream university of many Chinese students. Chen Bao 'er, a 2014 student from SCAU, transferred from College of Agriculture to 2+2 Economics Management program at  College of International Education. After taking intensive English courses and bilingual and English professional courses, she was admitted to Monash University and obtained a full GPA during her study abroad. Now she is about to graduate from Monash University, and she hopes to help the currents students who are willing to study abroad with her own experience.

Q: Why did you choose to study 2+2 Economics Management sino-foreign cooperative education program? What aspects attracts you as an ordinary undergraduate student at SCAU at that time?

Chen Bao 'er: In fact, it is a difficult decision to make at that time, because it meant I had to give up my previous study and start from scratch, but I never regretted the decision at that time. That decision changed the path of my life. The teachers of the 2+2 program are bilingual and full English teachers, which gave me a buffer to adapt to English teaching courses. In addition, there were a large number of English classes to help us improve our English and lay the foundation for IELTS test. I think the biggest advantage of the program is that it gives students a language transition before going abroad, which can help us quickly adapt to life and intensive study after going abroad.

Q: After two years of studying at CIE, what advantages and help do you think the program has provided apart from English teaching, compared with applying for universities directly after the college entrance examination?

Chen Bao 'er: The reason why I didn't choose to go abroad directly after the college entrance examination was that I felt myself immature in all aspects as an adult. In fact, I am always trying to find out what works the best for me, whether to go abroad or not, whether to change my discipline or not, and these important decisions were made under the influence of the university. In college, we got more or less "social experience," and as we got older, we became more aware of what we need.

Therefore, after going abroad, my goal became more clear, and I was more confident in my choice of study and future employment. The transition got me prepared psychologically, so that I had more space to get to know everything abroad, and the experience taught by teachers and senior students also gave me great help.

Q: What do you think is the difference between the ordinary undergraduate study at SCAU and the study at 2+2 program?

Chen Bao 'er: The biggest difference is definitely the language environment, the oral English courses of foreign teachers, the intensive English training, and the bilingual and English teaching, which had enlarged my English vocabulary on the basis of ordinary undergraduate. In addition, we also got chances to communicate with professors and teachers from overseas partner universities in lectures and symposiums.

Q: What impressed you most in the two-year study at 2+2 program?

Chen Bao 'er: That's when we were taking the graduation photo. I can still replay the picture of that day in my mind. At that time, we were all very happy, and everyone successfully got the offer and completed the study at SCAU, but we were also a little sad because we were going to different universities. The two years at SCAU were fleeting, and there was no concept of class after going abroad, so the class at 2+2 program was the last warm class that I had. I had mixed feelings at that moment.

Graduation photo of Chen Bao’er and her classmates

Q: There are so many partner institutions, why did you choose to study at Monash University?

Chen Bao Er: Monash University is one of Group of Eight in Australia, with rich resources and platforms, so it was my first choice. Teachers from home and abroad provided diversified and systematic financial courses, which allowed me to exchange and study with people from different countries and complete group homework together. I also got internship provided by the university. Working as a sales volunteer after class also improved my English. In addition, Melbourne often has public festivals and events to attend. During the holidays, we can also travel in the cities nearby and enjoy the beauty of nature.

Q: How does the teacing at Monash University differ from that in China?

Chen Bao 'er: In addition to the midterm and final exams, there is a considerable weight in participation (including actively answering questions in class), quiz(online tests done at home/in class), test (questions/documents examined in class), Q&A (questions and answers examined in class), etc. In other words, everyday effort is very important. Secondly, you should quickly adapt to the English teaching environment in a foreign country, as well as adapt to different accents and speaking pace. Quite a few lecturers and tutors are from all over the world, so I had to adjust to different accents each term.

Q: Facing different teaching methods, how did you cope with learning and get a perfect GPA?

Chen Bao 'er: As long as you can keep up with the pace and follow the teachers in class, you can understand the course content. When we encountered problems in study, we discussed with our classmates and group members. Teachers also have regular consultation every week to solve problems face to face with students. The final exam accounts for 50%-60% of the total score. To get a high score, we must review and work hard before the exam. At the end of the semester, we had to bury ourselves in the library every day.

Q: How’s your life like in Australia? How did you balance study and life?

Chen Bao Er: The schedule here in Australia is very flexible, because the class schedule is set by myself. Now I spend four days a week at university to study and take lectures, and for the other three days I participate in some activities, hang out with friends and do homework. In general, I spend 2/3 on study 2/3 and 1/3 on entertainment. My focus is still on study. After class, I like to do volunteer work and participate in local activities to enrich my life and make more friends. I don’t go to work because I don’t feel I had enough energy, but I earned some pocket money occasionally by tutoring others, as the schedule was flexible and there was no pressure for me. During the holidays, I travel and enrich my understanding of Australia's geography and culture in my spare time.

Chen Bao’er participated in the Royal Gala Ball at Monash University

Chen Bao’er and her friends

Held parties to celebrate the end of exams

Move forward confidently and embrace the future

 Looking back on her experience of two-year study abroad, Chen said: "The most important thing I learned is tolerance and that we should dare to try. This means accepting different cultures and new things after going abroad, and being mentally prepared to meet challenges. Because there is often a strong sense of frustration after going abroad, it is often difficult to integrate into the new environment and new culture and you may be distressed. But as long as you are confident enough, you can overcome all difficulties. If time goes back, I hope I can become a confident person earlier, not afraid of failure and difficulties."

 Studying abroad alone is a difficult decision, and the desire and fear of the unknown and the environment make people follow suit. Learning English is also a difficult process, but at the platform provided by CIE, with the support of teachers and peers, enough effort, proper learning methods and reasonable living arrangements, it is not difficult.

Chen Bao’er was exploring at the South Pole