Daniel Li
BA (Hons) Business and Management, 2015
China
Looking back, the course gave me much of the knowledge I needed to be able to start and operate my own business.”
When I was in high school, I already knew that I wanted to study abroad one day, so I chose to major in English at university as a first step. Before that, however, I had to pass China’s National College Entrance Examination (Gaokao). My hard work paid off, and I was accepted into Guangzhou City University of Technology. However, once I began my studies, I realised that the programme focused more on English literature than practical communication, which was not what I had expected.
Despite this, I remained determined to study overseas. My family strongly supported my plans because our business works with European partners, and they believed that studying in the UK would broaden my perspective and improve my understanding of international cultures. Since my university had a partnership with UWE Bristol, I decided to apply there. After two years of preparation, I successfully met the requirements and completed the application process smoothly.
In 2013, I travelled to the UK for the first time. Everything felt new and exciting: the culture, the language, and the environment. UWE helped to arrange accommodation, and I moved into shared housing with several other Chinese students, including Celine Chen, who would later become my wife. At the time, however, we were simply classmates getting to know one another.
Life in Bristol was enjoyable and memorable. I made many friends and explored the city’s famous landmarks, such as Clifton Suspension Bridge. I also worked part-time at the well-known Mayflower Chinese Restaurant, where I interacted with both local and international customers. The job gave me valuable opportunities to improve my communication skills and adapt to a multicultural environment.
Although I was not particularly interested in nightlife, I enjoyed socialising with friends and taking part in activities organised by the Bristol Chinese Christian Church, where I participated in events such as soup runs and festivals. These experiences helped me feel connected to the community and made my time abroad even more meaningful.
Academically, adjusting to the teaching style was challenging at first. Some younger classmates were reluctant to interact with me, but senior students and other international classmates from countries such as Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Greece, and Vietnam were very friendly. Gradually, I built strong friendships and gained confidence. The biggest academic challenge was adapting to essay-based examinations, which were very different from the multiple-choice and short-answer exams I had been used to in China. Nevertheless, I successfully completed my degree in Business and Management in 2015.
After returning to China, I took a short design course before deciding to start a jewellery business with Celine instead of joining my family’s company. We married in 2019 and now run our own business in Dongguan. Looking back, my education at UWE Bristol gave me valuable skills in critical thinking, communication, and data analysis, all of which continue to help me manage and grow our business today. Studying abroad not only changed my career path but also shaped my personal growth and future in ways I could never have imagined.
