Haolun Zhao

What motivated you to study in the UK?

I am attracted to the University of Birmingham due to its strong academic atmosphere in the field of sports science and the diverse growth opportunities it provides for students. The school regularly holds seminars and workshops with the participation of top experts from around the world, allowing students to stay up-to-date with the latest research trends and breakthroughs in their field. More importantly, the University of Birmingham is located in a city with a thriving sports culture, surrounded by abundant sports facilities and diverse community sports programs, which can serve as high-quality field research sites for studying the impact of sports on different populations. The combination of various factors has made the University of Birmingham the ideal place for me to pursue a graduate degree in sports science.

Why did you choose the University of Birmingham?

I was motivated by the UK’s world-class academic reputation in my field, plus its emphasis on critical thinking and practical research that perfectly aligns with my study goals.

How has the scholarship supported your academic journey or overall student experience? 

This graduate scholarship has fully supported my academic journey and student experience, from material to spiritual aspects.

Relieve economic pressure, allowing me to devote myself wholeheartedly to research projects, literature review, and experimental operations without being distracted by part-time work.

Providing spiritual motivation, this recognition gives me more confidence to overcome scientific research difficulties, demand higher standards of myself, and steadily move forward on the academic path.

What do you enjoy most about living and studying in Birmingham? 

What I love most about living and studying in Birmingham is the perfect fusion of a strong academic atmosphere and a diverse and inclusive urban atmosphere.In class, the professors' teaching methods that encourage critical thinking, as well as the intense discussions with classmates around the topic, always inspire me with new research ideas; In my spare time, the diverse museums, vibrant markets, and diverse experiences brought by people from different cultural backgrounds in this city not only enrich my extracurricular life, but also allow me to view academia and life from a broader perspective.

What advice would you give to students from your home country considering studying in the UK? 

Adapt to the mode of self-directed learning and critical thinking in advance, and attach importance to academic writing norms.

Maximize the use of school libraries, laboratories, and mentor resources, and don't miss out on extracurricular activities related to your major.

Proactively communicate with classmates from various countries and participate in clubs to quickly integrate.