My Experience of Summer School Events

My name is Qixin, I come from China but currently study in the UK as an international student. This summer I attended LSE Summer School, studying IR245: International Journalism and Society: The Role of the Media in the Modern World. Apart from the extraordinary academic experience in class, I was also surprised by the wonderful events held by LSE Summer School, which helped enrich my Summer School life, and at the same time, helped me gain perspective for stepping into my future career.

Immersing myself in the Londoner life

I had visited London several times before attending Summer School, for holidays, and I was always in a hurry to visit the well-known tourist attractions. This time as a Summer School student, I was pretty excited to explore more sides of this bustling city, and LSE offered multiple golden opportunities! I signed up for the LSE organised Royal Walking Tour to learn more about the royal family and the history behind those scenic spots. I felt relaxed when walking along the avenues, taking a breath of fresh air, and appreciating the nice weather. I’m also a huge fan of West End musicals so I grasped the opportunity to get a ticket for Phantom of the Opera through LSE with a fantastic view! These events really help you to discover sides of London that are harder to see if you are only a tourist.

Take a break and start journeys around London

I was also impressed by the day trips to other UK cities organised by LSE, with professional and local tour guides and perfect routes. Over the weekends I went to Cambridge and Windsor with other LSE Summer School students, and we had a really great time there. Even though we came from different backgrounds, we still had common interests. The day trips usually came after my assessments so it was also a time for me to take a break and enjoy the beautiful view. I felt that my Summer School life was made more colourful with these brilliant events.

Get inspired and gain lifelong benefits to change my future life

Alongside the social events, LSE Summer School organises a programme of professional development events, called Spark. I found these events incredibly useful, and gained lots of knowledge in preparation for my future career and my general self-improvement. I attended the events ‘Your Future Job Search: Planning & Strategy’ and 'Cover Letters & Application Forms: Writing for Success', which were extremely helpful, as I was thinking about applying to internships. The events helped me to find a clearer target for my future job direction by giving me advice and time to self-reflect, which was truly meaningful! I learned a range of valuable skills that will not only benefit my study and career but also my general life experience. The skills included communication, presenting confidently, and networking. I gained new perspectives and broadened my horizon through those practices, thanks to the experience of attending Spark events!

 

Despite no longer being at LSE Summer School, my memories echo all the time in my mind, and I can’t wait to share them with everyone! I was so glad to be in this inclusive and diverse community, and I swear that it will be one of the best experiences you ever have!

 

This blog was written by one of our 2023 Student Ambassadors, who are here to share their stories and help you understand the summer school experience at LSE.