Yaxian
Wu

MA Museum and Heritage Development student, Yaxian Wu tells us more about why she chose to study in the UK and at NTU, her experience on her course, and her plans for the future.

Why did you choose to study Museum and Heritage Development at NTU, and were there any key features which may have influenced your decision?

n China, the development of museum studies is less mature and professional than in Britain. NTU is a comprehensive university with nearly 200 years of history, offering a more complete curriculum and system for museum studies compared to China. Our modules also provide opportunities to visit other countries, which is the best way to learn.

NTU offers a rich extracurricular life, including sports programs, which makes my time outside of class very exciting. They also provide psychological counselling and after-school tutoring, which is very helpful.

Is there anything about your course that stood out to you, perhaps that wasn’t offered anywhere else you applied?

The internship module is crucial in the museum industry, and I think it is essential to include this in the curriculum. Additionally, courses related to future museums have greatly developed my critical thinking. What I appreciate most is the chance to study outside the classroom; for Chinese students who come from afar, the opportunity to participate in a study tour led by a teacher to other national museums is very rare.

What would you describe as the real strengths of your course?

Firstly, the teachers. I particularly like Kat. As a student with many questions, she never pressures us and always makes us feel comfortable. When I first arrived in England, I didn't have a place to stay. As a teacher, she didn't have to help with my daily life, but she did, guiding me on how to solve these issues. When we left for Berlin, she did her best to accommodate every student's needs. The course content is also very detailed, with modules not available at other schools, which is important to me. Secondly, the internship is vital. Some courses at the school offer a sandwich teaching mode, and the internship experience in the UK is invaluable.

What topics or projects have you really felt engaged with?

I'm particularly interested in the section on the future of museums. Additionally, modules take us to visit museums, which is very engaging. As an international student, my main goal in coming to the UK was to have a teacher guide me through museum visits and understand the exhibitions.

What has been your greatest achievement as a Nottingham Trent University student?

The pride of being part of the school! Walking through the centre of Nottingham and seeing many students wearing NTU clothes gives me a strong sense of belonging. I also feel excited seeing NTU's signature pink around the city. At NTU, you'll be surrounded by friends and feel free in Nottingham. Many times the environment of life and the freedom of one's mind will affect one's learning. In this regard, NTU does a very good job. I am proud to be a student of NTU.

In a nutshell, why would you recommend your course / NTU to
prospective students?

The most important point is that there are not only practical opportunities (field trips to other regions led by teachers), but also course modules on the future of museums, museum games, and other aspects involving various fields. This is very comprehensive for the study of museums, so I highly recommend this major!

How have you found Nottingham as a student city?

It's very suitable! Nottingham has enough recreational facilities to meet various needs, such as sports and movies. Life is convenient, with many supermarkets and internationally famous brands which can meet students' consumption and shopping. Finally, the presence of many students makes it a youthful and relatable environment.

Did you find it easy to make friends at NTU?

Yes, I did. Everyone is very enthusiastic and proactive. As a Chinese student, I was very nervous at first. Because China is so far away from the UK, I was afraid that the huge cultural differences would make me isolated. But after coming here, I found that It did not. They are all very friendly and helpful, you don't have to worry about making mistakes, the people are very helpful and tolerant.

What do you think of the support available at NTU?

Firstly NTU does a great job of supporting students academically. If I don't know how to write a paper or don't know the formatting, there are teachers who help me by showing me how to use the literature and other resources. Secondly, there is also strong support for student's mental health, with special counselling available.

What’s next for you after NTU?

I would like to enter some museums as a docent (a type ot guide), to will gain experience, and my ultimate goal is to become a curator. This will let me integrate my own curatorial ideas into an exhibition to make it richer, more interesting, and a better experience.

Why did you want to study in the UK?

For my major (Museum and Heritage Development) there are cutting-edge research areas in the UK and the world's most famous museum, the British Museum! The British Museum is the representative of European museums, where I can learn a lot about museum displays and also about European history. So for me, studying in the UK allows me to combine classroom content with actual museums, and to learn about the operation mode of European museums.