Wen Shen Chin
BA (Hons) Economics, 2018
With First-Class Honours
Malaysia
If I could give a piece of advice to anyone who finds themself presented with an opportunity to study abroad like I did, it would be to grab the chance and broaden your horizons. “
By the age of 19, after gaining experience tutoring secondary school students, I realised two things: I was more passionate about business-related subjects than pharmacy or the hard sciences, and if I wanted to pursue teaching seriously, I needed to master the field I taught. With that in mind, I focused on economics at university. By the end of my second year, my determination to deeply understand the subject helped me achieve straight As and a CGPA of 3.96.
At first, I never intended to study abroad. I had always lived with my parents and had never spent significant time away from home. However, during my second year, I learned about a scholarship opportunity through a partnership between my university and UWE Bristol. After applying and attending an interview, I was awarded a full scholarship to continue my studies there.
The decision was difficult. I had to choose between staying in my comfort zone or taking a major step into the unknown by moving to the UK. Reflecting on the students I had tutored inspired me to embrace the opportunity. My parents were also highly supportive, which gave me the confidence to accept the scholarship and move to Bristol.
Studying at UWE transformed me academically and personally. I placed high expectations on myself, which often caused stress, but the lecturers and tutors were exceptionally supportive. They encouraged questions and provided valuable guidance, making the learning environment engaging and approachable.
One major adjustment was adapting to the UK education system. In Malaysia, assignments usually came with detailed marking schemes, while at UWE tasks were broader and required more independent critical thinking. My early grades were around 60%, which initially discouraged me. However, after discussing my concerns with lecturers, I worked harder and changed the way I approached learning.
I became far more independent in my studies, spending much of my free time reading journals and conducting research. I learned to analyse information critically, connect ideas, and draw conclusions rather than simply memorising facts. This shift improved not only my understanding of economics but also my broader perspective on problem-solving and learning.
Outside academics, I enjoyed exploring Bristol and travelling around the UK and Europe. Bristol stood out to me because of its beauty, convenience, and walkability, which contrasted greatly with life in Kuala Lumpur, where travelling by car was essential.
After graduating, I returned to Malaysia and, in 2021, resumed teaching mathematics, economics, and accounting to high school students. My experience at UWE significantly influenced my teaching style. Inspired by my lecturers, I now encourage critical thinking by beginning lessons with open-ended questions and using storytelling to make concepts more engaging and memorable. For example, I guide economics students through realistic business scenarios to help them connect theory with real life.
Studying abroad also broadened my appreciation for different cultures and people. Meeting individuals from diverse backgrounds improved my ability to connect with students and understand different perspectives. Looking back, studying at UWE was one of the most rewarding decisions of my life. It taught me that every experience, whether positive or challenging, contributes to personal growth and resilience.