Siyu Zhou
MSc International Human Resource
Management, 2015
China
My eventual decision to follow the recommendation of choosing International Human Resource Management did indeed support me in my career development.”
During my undergraduate studies at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, I pursued a degree in English. Although my academic background was not in Human Resource Management, my university experiences strongly shaped my future career path. I became deeply involved in student union activities, where I discovered a passion for communication, event organisation, and understanding people’s needs. These experiences revealed that Human Resource Management was a natural fit for me. Since I was studying English, postgraduate study in England also felt like the right next step.
Through a partnership between my university and UWE Bristol, I learnt about opportunities to study there. Representatives from the university visited our campus, and I was impressed to discover that Hong Kong’s former Chief Executive, Leung Chun-ying, was an alumnus. That gave me confidence that UWE Bristol would be an excellent choice.
Choosing to study abroad came with challenges. I was the first person in my family to pursue overseas education, so there was no one to guide me through the experience. My family had expected me to become a teacher or government employee, but they still supported my decision. I prepared for the IELTS exam, wrote my personal statement, and completed a video interview with a UWE professor. The application process lasted about three months and helped improve both my English skills and my confidence. I also won a scholarship competition that allowed me to travel to the UK early for free English language training.
Before this journey, I had never travelled outside China, so naturally I felt nervous. Fortunately, I connected with another student travelling to Bristol, and together we managed the journey from London to Bristol. It was my first real experience of independence abroad. When I arrived, I found Bristol welcoming and comfortable. Coming from Shenzhen, another harbour city, I especially loved Bristol’s Harbourside and still consider it one of the nicest places I have lived.
One of the most influential people during my studies was my professor, Mike. Originally, I intended to study Human Resource Management, but he encouraged me to switch to International Human Resource Management because it would better support my long-term career goals in China. He told me that any decision I made would be the right one if it came from careful consideration. His advice shaped both my studies and my professional mindset, and I still repeat his words to colleagues today.
I appreciated UWE Bristol’s practical teaching style. In addition to lectures and textbooks, we participated in face-to-face training, teamwork, and job-shadowing placements with UK companies. My classmates came from many countries, including Cambodia and Vietnam, which helped me develop international communication skills and cultural awareness.
After graduating in 2015, I returned to China and began my career at Lenovo, where I worked for five years. I later became HR Director at Kankan. The knowledge and experiences I gained from the International Human Resource Management programme continue to guide my work today, especially in recruitment and people management. Looking ahead, I hope to continue growing professionally while sharing my experiences with students and encouraging them to embrace international opportunities with an open mind.
