Doctoral Studies in Communication Studies, University of Michigan (awarded The Women’s Foundation Hong Kong Scholarship)
Master of Philosophy in Gender Studies at the University of Cambridge

Having recently completed her Master of Philosophy in Gender Studies at the University of Cambridge, Natalie Ngai, our 2015 Broadcast Journalism graduate, will continue her academic journey to her next destination — the University of Michigan.

Because of the solid academic training and support from the Department of Journalism over her four years of studies, Natalie has grown into a young international scholar who is now confident to engage her works with the world. The ethos that she has learned is to be open to different perspectives before making a judgment, and this has made her braver when facing criticism and adversity.

Moreover, Natalie’s studies at Cambridge have enabled her to consolidate the values she holds dear — humility and openness in her attempt to establish and maintain a healthy relationship with her six other flatmates from five continents, and to exchange new ideas with a student in Polar Studies regarding her research at one of the many Cambridge formal dinners.

Studying Gender Studies at Cambridge has been a springboard for Natalie to bounce higher in academia by exploring a new realm in Communication Studies, with a focus in feminist studies. As she is well-aware that academic research in Communications is becoming increasingly transnational, once again, she became determined to undertake her doctoral studies overseas. As a fertile ground for feminist media studies, Natalie chose the University of Michigan to further her research in feminist studies. As she understands very well from her Cambridge experience that studying and working overseas requires her to adjust herself at full scale, and with that mindset, she is excited about the challenges that Michigan will bring. As a feminist researcher, what she will bring with her to Michigan is her critical mind to analyse the underlying power relations arising from world inequalities, her sensitivity to cultural diversity and her feisty spirit to engage in heated academic debate.

As one of the few international students in the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Michigan, Natalie will certainly take pains to put forward a more international research agenda. To increase the challenge, besides carrying out her own research, Natalie will also serve as an instructor for a few undergraduate courses in the department, and she foresees the challenge of having to overcome many language and cultural barriers. Nevertheless, Natalie is ready to embrace all the challenges that will come along with her doctoral studies at Michigan. Through her experiences, Natalie believes that she will become more prepared for a career in academia, as well as more reflective about the issue of cultural diversity.

The three years studying in the International Journalism program at HKBU has been beyond a piece of memory I hold dear ㄧ the experience allowed me an edge on the tight journalism job market, played a vital part in my application to Harvard Kennedy School’s Master in Public Policy program, and more importantly, excited in me an everlasting compassion for the powerless.

Master in Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard University

The three years studying in the International Journalism program at HKBU has been beyond a piece of memory I hold dear ㄧ the experience allowed me an edge on the tight journalism job market, played a vital part in my application to Harvard Kennedy School’s Master in Public Policy program, and more importantly, excited in me an everlasting compassion for the powerless.

I still remember the sense of purpose that suddenly filled me the moment I, as a BU freshman from Beijing, learned for the first time the concept of journalism as the Fourth Estate, a watchdog, and a check on power. The following years equipped me with various essential journalistic skills through intensive hands-on training thanks to our experienced and dedicated faculty, but it was that moment at the beginning, on top of it the encouragement from my closest professors and mentors at BU, that cemented my determination to be a journalist who pursues the profession in the way that first gained it recognition and respect.

After graduation, I was fortunate to join The New York Times’ Beijing Bureau as a news researcher and bilingual writer. At the Times, I took particular interest in writing about human rights abuse, discrimination and economic disenfranchisement against ethnic minorities, grassroots activism about labor rights, gender inequality, and LGBTQ rights, and lingering traumas and repercussions of Mao-era political campaigns. I was hoping I could help bring justice by exposing injustice, and push for change by challenging the entrenched.

But as time passed by, I grew increasingly frustrated about my detached, bystander role as a journalist, and wanted to do more for victims of inequality and unbridled power in a more direct way.

I eventually decided to apply to the Master in Public Policy program at Harvard Kennedy School to explore the possibility of helping to address these issues from a policy perspective. Apart from the program’s rigorous training in qualitative and quantitative policy analysis and star faculty members who played key roles in shaping social, economic and foreign policies in the U.S. and other parts of the world, I was particularly impressed by the program’s and the school’s diverse pool of students, with many of them having been fighting on the front line in their home countries to reduce inequality or stand up to power abuse.

The past year at the Kennedy School has been both nerve-racking and thrilling. So many things were out of my comfort zone ㄧ coming back to school after three years of working, studying statistics and economics, and squeezing time to keep up with the zillions of events happening on campus. I grew to understand that being comfortable with being outside of your comfort zone is probably the only way to keep one’s learning curve steep.

In the meantime, I was exhilarated to be able to meet and learn from my fellow students and faculty members who come from various cultural backgrounds and have worked in different sectors. Many of them are so accomplished yet humble and down-to-earth. They live on hectic schedules but have no hesitation to go out of their way to help whenever needed. They are true cosmopolitans who embrace their cultural roots and care deeply about their home countries’ issues, but are also eager to understand other countries’ perspectives and contribute to global causes.

In the past semester, I was part of a club consisting of American and international students from the Kennedy School and the wider Harvard community who study China. I was happy to contribute to discussions on China’s current affairs drawing on my experience growing up in the country and working there as a journalist, and was always inspired by the exchanges with my fellow club members.

I am excited to see how my second year at the Kennedy School has in store for me, and even more excited to learn how you, my younger members of the School of Communication family, will shine in your future studies and career.

Your curiosity, hard work, and brilliance make the strongest branding of our school. Your deep knowledge of Hong Kong and China, your exposure to international affairs on campus and beyond, your language skills, and everything you have absorbed in the classroom will be your greatest assets. The responsibility of fostering a better understanding of Asia among an international audience is upon your shoulders.

I would also like to take this special opportunity to speak to my fellow journalism students in particular:

It’s the best of times, it’s the worst of times. You are to be realistic yet idealistic, stubborn yet resourceful, and reckless yet thoughtful. You are to serve the governed, not the governors.

Our Department of Journalism has always been home of the brave.

Master in Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard University

Lindsy Long
(International Journalism, Class of 2017)

Master of Science in Journalism at Columbia Journalism School, Columbia University

Charlotte Yang and Lindsy Long, two of our high-flying 2017 International Journalism graduates continued their academic studies in the United States at Harvard University and Columbia University, respectively.

Q1.
Why did you choose to apply to Harvard and Columbia in the first place? What are the things that attracted you to Harvard or Columbia?

Charlotte: Growing up in Mainland China, at a very young age, I have been aspiring to be a journalist. My alma mater taught me the professional ethics and journalism skills required to a good reporter. I chose to apply to Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) to learn the knowledge and skill set needed to understand complex problems and to craft concrete solutions.

Another reason why I applied to HKS is because I identify with the school’s values and culture, and the curriculum of their Master in Public Policy really speaks to me. HKS puts great emphasis on “asking what you can do” to help solve problems facing your community, your country and the world. Their curriculum encompasses a wide variety of subjects offering analytical frameworks, quantitative tools, leadership skills, ethics and so on.

Lindsy: I had done mostly breaking news stories in my undergraduate years, and I hoped to continue my studies at Columbia Journalism School (CJS) to gain in-depth knowledge about investigative techniques and publish longform reporting. I was amazed by the wide range of classes offered, allowing me to choose subjects where I can work on multiple platforms, as well as the intensive hands-on training opportunities and investigative reporting techniques offered by CJS. I felt I could bring my Chinese perspective with a global outlook to spark interesting cultural discussions in the classroom. I hoped to further practice and enhance my journalistic skills and contribute to press freedom.

Q2.
How have your experiences at Columbia been so far? What are the challenges and rewards of studying at Columbia? Are there any highlights?

Lindsy: The one-year programme at CJS, short but intensive, deepened my thoughts and strengthened my skills in journalism. Being a journalist in the United States as a non-native speaker was always a challenge. While improving my language skills, I had to embrace a new culture, acquiring as much information about the city and country as possible. Without learning and researching deeply into the city’s welfare system, I could not have produced my long-form story about the difficulties young people face when aging out of the foster care system. I found myself having a strong interest in reporting about people of the lower social class, hoping to tell their stories to raise awareness and inform policy making. I hoped my future work could help expose truths concealed by the government and other institutions of power and ultimately help people make sound judgments in their lives. Therefore, I wrote several stories focusing on people of ethnic minority, having mental illness, or being incarcerated.

Q3.
Are you involved in any school clubs at Harvard? What has your international experience been like?

Charlotte: In my first year, I was vice president of the China Society at HKS. We organise all kinds of talks, events and activities to help engage the Harvard community in understanding China. In the past year, we hosted a boating party and a schoolwide celebration of Chinese New Year, marking the Mid-Autumn Festival and Chinese New Year respectively. We also partner with other student societies and research centres at Harvard to discuss the complexities of China today.

Last December, I helped organise a two-week trek that took 19 students from 10 countries to visit China. We went to Beijing, Shanghai and Nanjing, and visited the government, NGOs and the private sector. Through the trek, we offered people who are not from China a distinctive lens to view the country.

Q4.
How did the journalism education provided by the HKBU Department of Journalism and your student exchange and intern experiences help you with your studies at Harvard and Columbia?

Charlotte: The four years I spent as a journalism student at HKBU shaped me as a person. My teachers have taught me to be honest and hard-working, and to uphold the highest journalistic standards. My exchange semester at London, and my internship with The International New York Times have opened so many doors for me, and eventually led me to study at Harvard.

Lindsy: I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my professors at HKBU, as well as the student exchange programme and internship opportunity provided by the university. I learned basic knowledge and skills about almost every aspect of professional journalism at the School. Being the deputy editor of our student newspaper helped prepare me for my internships at Reuters News Agency and China National Radio. These professional placements were crucial for my application to CJS and gave me direction for my further studies.

Studying abroad has always been a dream of mine, however, my family and I could not afford it. I still remember how the opportunity came and made my dream come true – the moment when I saw the HKSES (Hong Kong Scholarship for Excellence Scheme) poster on campus at the beginning of my last semester at BU. Being awarded the scholarship has opened so many doors for me and has changed my life tremendously. My journey at Monash University began in early 2016 when I enrolled in the Master of Communications and Media Studies.

Master of Communications and Media Studies at Monash University

Studying abroad has always been a dream of mine, however, my family and I could not afford it. I still remember how the opportunity came and made my dream come true – the moment when I saw the HKSES (Hong Kong Scholarship for Excellence Scheme) poster on campus at the beginning of my last semester at BU. Being awarded the scholarship has opened so many doors for me and has changed my life tremendously. My journey at Monash University began in early 2016 when I enrolled in the Master of Communications and Media Studies.

While researching for the suitable master’s program, I found that Monash in many ways is similar to HKBU and honestly, that’s the reason I chose it. Located in Melbourne, the world’s most liveable city, Monash University has attracted my attention not only because it is one of the global partners of Hong Kong Baptist University, but also because of its well-planned and comprehensive course structure. Throughout my two years of studies at Monash, it has never disappointed me. Monash is truly an international institution where I met people from different backgrounds and cultures; it provides plentiful resources and opportunities for students to explore culturally and academically; its broad industry connections help students gain valuable experience and skills for future employment. Having said that, my bachelor degree in Integrated Communication Management (ICM) has certainly played a vital role in building a solid foundation for me to continue on with graduate studies. For instance, similar to Monash, HKBU has also established a strong relationship with the industry which I have benefited in securing two internships prior to graduation. The valuable experience of working in a real-world setting has enhanced my academic, career, and personal development.

Studying at Monash was a fun learning experience as students are encouraged to exchange information, ideas and thoughts through in-class discussions and small-group work. While students come from all over the world with varying backgrounds, cultures and mindsets, it is great to learn from each other and gain different perspectives. Apart from studies, one of the most rewarding experience at Monash was to be part of a non-residential college. It is a big community for students who live off-campus to meet each other, to participate in a range of activities and to build social connections. Initially, I was a member in the first year – I had an amazing time and had so much fun. Therefore, I decided to contribute to the community by stepping up to become an advisor in the second year. I was super excited yet a little bit worried whether I can do it well. Fortunately, the university has provided comprehensive training and development opportunities which helps a lot in boosting my self-confidence. I am very grateful to have had the chance to be involved in the non-residential colleges which has definitely enhanced my Monash experience.

My advice to prospective graduates regardless of whether they want to pursue a postgraduate degree or join the workforce is actually my favourite quote, which originally comes from a very inspiring graduation speech delivered by Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in University at Buffalo SUNY in 2006 – ‘Life is not easy for anyone. Sometimes you don't see the challenges on the outside, but every single one of us has both those and everything that goes on inside as well. Give it your all. Dare to be all you can be’. Sometimes the result doesn't matter as long as you do your best with no regrets. I know that failure hurts but they can also become a really great motivation to push yourself to get back up, dust off, and keep going!

The 4 years studying in the School of Communication at HKBU has been one of the most important life experiences for me. Not only because of the professional training I received, but because during these 4 years, I got the chance to experiment myself and figure out what I really want to be for the rest of my life.

Master of Communications at Pennsylvania State University

The 4 years studying in the School of Communication at HKBU has been one of the most important life experiences for me. Not only because of the professional training I received, but because during these 4 years, I got the chance to experiment myself and figure out what I really want to be for the rest of my life.

I have always have been interested in communication, yet, it was just a vague concept to me before I joined HKBU. Thanks to the diverse courses the School of Communication provides across different communication fields, I could take different courses within and outside my stream, which is public relations and advertising and do real practices. It is during this whole process that I finally set my future goals when I found my passion for doing communication research. I even got a chance to do PR research instead of campaign planning like my other classmates for my final year project due to the open policies of the School of Communication. Under the supervision of Dr. Angela Mak, we wrote a well-presented paper about YouTube usage and credibility assessment for Corporate Social Responsibility messages. Surprisingly, this paper got accepted by The Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) Conference 2018, and I will be presenting it in Washington this August.

In fact, I have been longing to study abroad one day for a really long time, especially in the U.S. because of the countless educational resources and international platforms there. Therefore, upon graduation, I chose to further develop my academic interests in the U.S. and made the decision to study at Pennsylvania State University. Its college of communications is really an outstanding one providing good training by well-recognized and experienced professors. They even have a well-equipped Media Effects Lab where I can acquire and practice more high-end research skills that would be beneficial for me to prepare for future Ph.D studies. The assistantship and scholarship they offered would not only ease my financial burden to pursue my master’s degree, but it would also enable me to gain some first-hand teaching experience.

Graduate studies will be far more demanding for sure as I will be taking more profound courses, engaging in more sophisticated research projects, doing more professional presentations, reading countless books, journals, papers etc. What’s more, studying abroad means that I need to adapt to a brand new world. It can be difficult, but I am the kind of person that loves to try new things. So that’s why I chose to leave my hometown Beijing and study in Hong Kong in the first place. Thanks to the 4 years’ experience at HKBU, which helped me become a more independent and open-minded person. Studying in the School of Communication has really broadened my horizons and has provided me with the kind of international vision as we can always get in touch with new things from all over the world. The all-English teaching environment in our School has also helped polish my language skills and made me more confident to meet those challenges. I believe, as long as I have an open mind and never stop working hard, I can overcome the barriers studying abroad. Even better, all those experiences will help me get one step closer to my dream – to become an outstanding communication scholar who will contribute to both the academic field and the society.