After graduating from university in Xi'an in 2001, I worked as an English tour guide in Guilin for over two years. The job offered a high income and opportunities to travel, allowing for a comfortable life in that quiet, scenic city.
However, driven by curiosity about the outside world and a desire for better career prospects, I decided to study abroad. After extensive research, I chose Griffith University in Australia for its renowned Master of International Tourism and Hospitality Management program. I received my offer in March 2003, applied for a student visa in October, and by year's end, I had quit my job and flown to Australia's Gold Coast.
Gold Coast is a beautiful tourist city with a stunning coastline and sunny weather. While charming for travel or a relaxed life, it initially seemed less ideal for study. My first impression of Griffith University's campus was disappointment; it felt small, nestled in bushland, with modern buildings that lacked a distinctive cultural atmosphere. My disappointment grew when I found nearly half of my 100+ classmates were Chinese, creating a language environment not conducive to improving my English.
Accepting the gap between ideal and reality, I began my studies, only to find them more stressful than expected. I studied harder than ever before, even compared to preparing for China's university entrance exam. The Australian system differed greatly from China's. In China, passing final exams sufficed. In Australia, our final grade incorporated oral presentations, individual and group assignments, mid-term exams, and final exams—all of which had to be done well.
Presentations were particularly challenging for most Chinese students, as we had no prior experience, and English was not our native language. However, I came to see presentations as an excellent learning method, encouraging public speaking and confident expression of opinions. After a year of practice, I gained the confidence to present without relying on notes.