大三出國、全英語課程 - 國際視野 : 淡江大學大三出國通報及學分採認系統

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2023大三出國輔導通報系統 - 留學心得報告[編輯]

英文 410810286 　劉庭瑄　　留學學校：牛津布魯克斯大學(英國)

(一)基本資料

Oxford Brookes University Oxford, England 20230925-20240503 Reading for Meaning Special Topics Genres Literature, Self, and Society Professional Practice Contemporary Literature Spanish Beginners 2(22字)

(二)課程學習

【照片說明：the Story Museum of Oxford 】

It has been almost eight months since I embarked on the journey as an international student in England. As my exchange program with Oxford Brookes University has come to an end, a milestone in my academic career will soon be achieved in a matter of weeks. Meanwhile, an entrance into the workforce awaits. I look forward to the next chapter of my life with secured professional skills, new insights into the Glam sectors (organisations such as Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums), and a promising career plan. In particular, my former working experience as an online/in-person English teacher in Taiwan has allowed me to develop Analytical thinking and interpersonal communication skills. In addition, my latest internship position as a book researcher at the Story Museum of Oxford has enhanced my ability in project and time management. Besides, participating in building book collections for the Museum has unlocked my understanding of museum institutions and the development of children’s story publishing. Finally, reflecting on the transition of my future career and life plan, I am setting a preliminary goal of becoming a Public Relations in an international business company. To approach the ultimate goal, not only have I set a time frame of three years, but I have also further broken down the plan into short-term, medium-term, and long-term advances.(219字)

(三)生活環境

【照片說明：Professor’s office 】

The past eight months have been a wonderful period of growth in both my academic and career development. Oxford Brookes University has granted me more opportunities than I could have thought possible. Above all, the Professional Practice Module has inspired me the most in terms of valuing my professional skills and wisely adopting them into practice. Contemplating my career history, I realised that a strength I’ve long equipped through my previous work experience is interpersonal communication and presentation skills. Additionally, my first official job as an English tutor to non-native English-speaking children in Taiwan has allowed me to develop a great understanding of children’s education. Through the process of teaching, I acquired an understanding of how to best cater to individual needs by tailoring and selecting materials. With this set of skills, I successfully applied to the internship project as a book researcher at the Story Museum of Oxford. In a similar vein of analytical thinking, I continued working on material safeguarding by establishing book reviews for the Museum. However, instead of working directly with students, clients, or the panel members, I completed the majority of the work by myself. Namely, during the internship with the Story Museum, I learned to conduct the book reasearching project independently and thereby understand key aspects of teenage literature. More specifically, I became confident with managing time independently and allocating work portions efficiently. In the process of researching, I was able to plan out each reading in 2 weeks, collect background information regarding themes and motifs, fact-check the resources, and complete quality-promised book reviews for the museum before the due date. In the meantime, I became acquainted with the evaluation criteria for teenage literature per the writing style, degrees of engagement, and language or theme appropriateness. Since inclusiveness is the core value of the Story Museum, ensuring the collection’s diversity was one of my biggest focuses during the research. (317字)

(四)自我成長

【照片說明：Loads of reading and repeat】

The work opportunity with the Story Museum has offered me a range of knowledge regarding the GLAM sector (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums). Not until I began working with the museum did I become aware of the value of humanity faculties. As mentioned by Hanna Jones in Violent Ignorance: ‘There is power in deciding what is remembered’1 Preserving cultural heritage is a way to secure cultural identities, and by doing so, a path connects the past, present, and future is built. Stories, in particular, contain the strongest essence of humanities. Diverse values are presented through words, and complex questions are asked in dialogues. In many ways, the interconnection of human experience in cultural evolution and individual perspective can be found in history. Instead of conventionally displaying printed or written materials, the Story Museum is known to celebrate the power of storytelling innovatively. Combining interactive exhibitions and multimedia arts, the Story Museum sets a leading example of contemporary innovation in art. Talking about ‘The Art of Innovation’ Guy Kawasaki, an American marketing specialist, and a former Apple employee elaborates ‘If you truly want to make meaning, it’s the first step towards innovation’ 2Indeed, the source of innovation comes from meaning, which is why the GLAM sectors should be understood and valued more than just for entertainment. Having witnessed literature renders ever-surprising newness sprout in young adults’ lives, Dr. Carlotti Smith mentioned in her speech and admitted that ‘Humanities doesn’t guarantee a quick return on investment.’3 because it is a ‘type of learning defies simplistic definition and can’t be quantified in short term, but it offers a space, which students can explore, the interconnectedness of our world.’4 However, it is this kind of exploration that ‘Keeps human beings at the center of everything else.’5(295字)

(五)大三出國建議

As an English Literature student who is soon going to graduate from University, I refuse to limit myself by only pursuing occupations under the category of education. Instead, I aspire to get involved in business sectors and work in Public Relations. To achieve this aim practically, I have made a three-year plan with specified dates: from May 2024 - September 2024, September 2024 - September 2025, and from September 2025- September 2026. Each time frame represents a different transitioning approach toward my goal of becoming a Public Relations. To begin with, after the terms ends at Oxford Brookes University in May this year, I will continue my involvement with the Story Museum as an assistant. Engaging in opportunities like Extreme Reading Adventures or working with the Front of House Team will not only enhance my interpersonal communication skills professionally but also allow me to contribute to the museum’s mission as I will be in charge of guiding visitors to enjoy the exhibitions. Additionally, through the role of translating the Gallery transcripts into Mandarin Chinese, I will be able to further demonstrate my cultural engagement by increasing inclusivity and accessibility for the museum. Subsequently, I am working as an International Participant at Angloville in August, an organisation featuring by language immersion program. Working with Angloville can also boost my ambassadorship in some ways as I will attend the program as the representative of Taiwan to share positive experiences and to introduce my culture. From September this year, I will begin applying for a relevant workplace to work for PR agencies in a Taiwanese local firm. Through working with the cooperate communication and media department, I will have the opportunity to further develop my networking within the industry. Alongside working, I will continue attending courses at Tamkang University for the last year before my bachelor’s graduation. Due to my past three years of hard work, I will have more time to focus on career development than earning the mandatory credits for my bachelor’s degree. Finally, after I graduate from Tamkang University, I will continue to work remotely for the company in Taiwan as a Personal Relations, but return to England and stay with my partner in Oxford. With my Taiwanese passport, I can legally stay in England for up to 90 days while looking for a paid job with a working sponsorship in a local or international firm.(393字)

(六)其他

In conclusion, exiting the current chapter as an international student at Oxford Brookes University saddens me. Nevertheless, I am very grateful for what this journey has brought to me academically and professionally. Not only has the university shifted my understanding of the humanities faculty’s values and purpose, but it has also granted me the practical experience to interact with the workforce. Looking ahead, I no longer feel intimidated or lost. Along with the strong foundation built on academic excellence and professional development, I am prepared to begin my career pursuit in Public Relations.(94字)

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資料更新時間：12月01日 07:52

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