Shing Hei (Reagan)
Yip

Hello Reagan – please could you tell our readers a little bit about yourself? Where are you from and what did you study at NTU?

Hi there! Just as most of you glancing through this page, I was born and raised in Hong Kong. Having long been a fervent writer and storyteller since childhood, I am thrilled to now graduate with first-class honours from the BA (Hons) Journalism course – so stay put and let me unveil how student life in NTU is!

What made you decide that NTU was the right choice for you?

Journalism and media studies at NTU have been well-regarded by the UK’s news industry and always topped the charts for student satisfaction. I envisaged it would, which it does, place me in an advantageous position to kickstart my career in English-language media outlets.

What did you like most about your course and what did you find most challenging?

Pardon my long answer but the course was nothing short of magnificent.

Teaching staff were very approachable and there were many opportunities for students to build their portfolios. I got a story written for assignment published on Nottingham Post and my pictures occasionally appeared on BBC News and Gedling Eye. It also genuinely equipped me with an all-round skillset to industry standards, be it photography, videography, news writing, or many others.

Writing features was daunting to me at first, knowing full well that English is not my mother tongue, but there was ample support available so there is nothing to worry about.

Please could you tell our readers about the facilities that you had access to during your studies?

I was given access to borrow a wide range of equipment from the multimillion-pound Centre of Broadcast and Journalism. This allowed me to try out new techniques and materialise my ideas. The Boots Library was also a great place to study.

You also wrote for NTSU’s Platform magazine and received an award for your hugely impressive photography – how did it feel to receive this recognition? You must have been so proud! 

It really felt so good to overcome all the barriers and win a national award as an international student. This will benefit me significantly in pursuing a career of photojournalism. On the other hand, it is also a testament to the huge opportunities available at NTU for students to explore and succeed, covering some of the world’s biggest stories such as the Queen’s death.

As a journalist you perhaps got to know the city more than most people – what is your favourite thing about Nottingham?

Nottingham is a truly diverse city like no others. It is not just about the food or pubs and clubs (which obviously are integral to student lives), but the way it allows international students to be a part of it. In a way it is similar to Hong Kong where multiple cultures meet and integrate.

What’s next for you? Please tell us about your hopes for the future.

Going forward, I am looking to pursue a journalism career that will give a voice to the voiceless and empower the underprivileged. I hope I can one day be an international correspondent or photojournalist covering the global south.

Do you have any advice for our future students?

Don’t be afraid to ask questions – teaching staff will always answer them and they are key to success.