Name: Jiabao Zhao

Country of origin: China

Degree: BSc Economics

If you could describe your experience at Lancaster University in 3 words, what would they be? Diverse, supportive and vibrant.

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Campus life and societies

"Joining the K-Pop Society at Lancaster helped me make friends and feel at home."

In my first year, I joined the K-Pop Society, where I took part in dance classes, watch events, and enjoyed game nights. Dance classes are one of my favourite ways to exercise; choosing choreography I enjoy makes me feel relaxed and happy. These activities not only enriched my campus life but also helped me make new friends.

One of the most meaningful experiences I’ve had at Lancaster was participating in the Spring Festival event organised by the Confucius Institute. There were many activities, such as writing Spring Festival couplets, decorating round fans, making lanterns, and more. This event allowed me, despite being unable to reunite with my family during the Spring Festival, to feel the warmth and comfort of my own cultural heritage.

"From lecture halls to Guanzi, I’d show my family the places that shaped my student life."

If friends or family visited Lancaster, I’d take them on a full campus tour, showing them where I attend lectures, take exams, and enjoy meals. We’d have lunch at Guanzi, the amazing on-campus Chinese restaurant, and if the weather’s nice, we’d relax outdoors and enjoy the sunshine.

"The library’s different zones make it perfect for any kind of study session."

My favourite study spot is Level C of the library, where I can find a quiet, secluded desk for focused revision. Each floor of the library has different noise level requirements, and there are many varied study areas available, which make it ideal for both group work and solo study.

When I want to relax on sunny days, I head to Edward Roberts Court on campus. It’s the perfect place to soak up the atmosphere and unwind.

Settling in and overcoming homesickness

"Freshers’ Week helped me make friends and feel at home.”

“I didn’t expect so many shops and restaurants to be on campus; it’s like a small city!"

I was pleasantly surprised by how self-contained the campus is. With plenty of shops, restaurants, and even its own bus stop, everything is within easy reach. If you fancy trying different cuisines, there are plenty of dining options available. It’s incredibly convenient for daily life and makes settling in much easier.

Studying abroad comes with challenges like language barriers, academic pressure, and adapting to a new lifestyle. Participating in Freshers’ Week helped me meet new people and ease into university life.

Although I can speak English, this was my first time living in an English-speaking environment, so I struggled initially with fluent spoken communication. However, the university staff and lecturers are very friendly and patient, and over time, I’m confident I’ll become more comfortable and fluent in conversations. As for daily life, there are plenty of support services available. For example, the porters can help with receiving parcels and managing post boxes, and they can also assist with replacing lost or damaged keys.

Before starting at Lancaster, I was a bit worried about whether I’d be able to settle into a new environment and make new friends. However, joining societies like the K-Pop Society and taking part in UniBuddy events really helped me meet loads of lovely people. I also had concerns about keeping up with the coursework, but whenever I’ve had questions, I’ve just emailed my professors, and they’ve been really helpful in providing further explanations or talking things through.

I would encourage international students to actively participate in campus activities and make full use of the resources provided by the University, such as learning platforms and career guidance services. While ensuring academic success, this will also help them develop their skills and enrich their overall experience.

Food, culture and comfort

"Cooking for friends brings joy and a taste of home."

It’s relatively easy to find ingredients for Chinese dishes in Lancaster. I often shop at Lidl and Taste the Orient, where I can find familiar snacks and ingredients. I enjoy making and sharing my favourite home-cooked dishes with friends in my accommodation; trying to recreate the flavours I remember is a joyful and comforting experience.

When the weather’s nice, I enjoy eating outdoors in Alexandra Square, soaking up the sun and the lively atmosphere.

The Chinese restaurants in town remind me of home, too. Since it serves familiar dishes, it instantly makes me nostalgic for the food from my hometown.

Exploring Lancaster and the local area

Lancaster is surrounded by stunning landscapes, including the Forest of Bowland and the Lake District nearby. Within the city, Williamson Park is a gem, offering beautiful views, walking trails, and the iconic Ashton Memorial. It’s a perfect escape for nature lovers. Visiting these places regularly also makes me feel incredibly relaxed.

Last Easter, I set aside a day to visit some of Lancaster's iconic landmarks with a friend, such as Lancaster Castle. We also took a bus to Morecambe and walked along the coast for four hours. The scenery along the way was stunning, and everyone seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the peaceful atmosphere. Although we walked a lot, the experience left us feeling refreshed and relaxed by the end of the day.

I also went to watch the annual light show and the Chinese New Year celebrations in Lancaster city centre. The town was filled with events, it was great to see so many different people enjoying the performances and appreciating Chinese culture.

Career development

I have received a great deal of career support during my time at Lancaster. In my first year, I arranged a meeting with my academic advisor to discuss the employment prospects for economics graduates. Additionally, I sought advice on the necessary materials required for internship applications. I also attended workshops that focused on crafting a CV and preparing for interviews. Furthermore, I utilised the CV checker available on the Careers Portal to refine and improve my personal CV.

This year, the career centre organised several online recruitment events, featuring employers from China, which provided me with valuable insights into various companies.

Why economics and why Lancaster?

"Triple accreditation and top rankings made Lancaster an easy choice."

I chose economics at Lancaster because of its triple-accredited Lancaster University Management School (LUMS) and its strong UK ranking, which demonstrates the high quality of teaching across its programmes. On a personal level, I have a strong interest in economic theories and hope to gain a deeper understanding of how economic phenomena impact real-world situations.

I really appreciate the systematic approach to teaching, which involves outlining the entire syllabus at the beginning and informing us of the topics to be covered each week. This allows me to understand the connections between each section, thereby helping me to memorise each section more efficiently. Additionally, the modules are interconnected; for example, the knowledge gained in microeconomics helps us to explain the models in macroeconomics.

Lancaster provides the support, community, and opportunities to help any student succeed.

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Disclaimer

The opinions expressed by our bloggers and those providing comments are personal, and may not necessarily reflect the opinions of Lancaster University. Responsibility for the accuracy of any of the information contained within blog posts belongs to the blogger.