Yi Jun
Wong

Tell us about yourself...

My name is Yi Jun Wong, people usually call me Jun. I’m from the multicultural country of Malaysia and I currently undertake BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance.

What was your first impression of NTU and Nottingham?

My first impression of NTU was one of modern sophistication, particularly with the Newton building where I am based at. Going overseas for the first time for my studies, everything felt new and the city felt so vibrant and exciting.

Why did you decide to come to NTU?

My prior research into NTU allowed me to discover about the high rates of student satisfaction overall. It was also well-ranked for Accounting and I liked how sleek the website looked in comparison to other universities.

Where do you usually go during your free time?

I usually meet-up with friends to have brunch at one of the many cafes around the city or explore the massive green spaces around Nottingham, notably Wollaton Park and the Attenborough Nature Reserve,

Have you joined any societies or clubs while at NTU?

I did! So I started by joining the Malaysian society as a member and then took the position of treasurer after a year of joining their events. I’m currently the president of the society and frequently run events for our members so they can find a sense of community, especially for students who are here for studies by themselves.

Can you describe the support you get from NTU?

From my experience, my lecturers are always there to provide support for me academically. They understand the pressures faced by us students and really try to not only teach us well but also provide a sense of support in all aspects. I find it really easy to talk to them about any issues I have. Even if they are not in a position to help, they always signpost me to the right department that can help with any queries I might have.

Tell us about your placement with the NHS... 

I can’t recommend it enough! I would definitely encourage going on placement for any students considering it. I found my placement on InPlace, NTU’s own website for listing placements sourced by their own team. My placement in particular was easy to apply as I only had to send in an application and answer some motivational and competency questions. It’s really hard to quantify the skills I got from it as there is so much you learn from working full-time. I learned teamwork, punctuality, organisational skills, communication skills and how to navigate professional behaviour in the workplace. Knowing how to reply to emails is also a skill I picked up. Working in the public health sector as a financial accountant, I had the opportunity to understand how the funding was structured and learned the many challenges faced by the sector currently. It was definitely an eye-opening experience and I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. NTU really emphasises on getting practical experience such as placements on their courses and that’s something I really like about them.

What is Nottingham like for international students? 

Nottingham itself is a diverse city with many other international students from University of Nottingham as well. The city itself has much to offer and is also a short train ride away from other major cities due to its location in the Midlands. For me, travelling to London or Manchester was only a train ride away and it was very convenient. In terms of food, I found no issue sourcing certain brands of food from the variety of international supermarkets in Nottingham and there are some restaurants in Nottingham that serve excellent Asian cuisine as well.

How was your experience living by yourself? And what is your advice for new international students?

It was definitely an experience! Learning to prioritise studies alongside a social life and taking the time to take care of my surroundings was a balancing act. I find that scheduling my time proved useful to manage my time well. If there’s one advice I would give to international students, it would be to keep an open mind to new opportunities and friendships. I have found the most unlikely of friends in the most unlikely of places and my experience has been one of self-discovery

What’s it like making new friends/acquaintances at NTU?

I find that making friends at NTU was easy! People are really open to having a chat and are usually friendly.

What do you like the most while studying at NTU and why?

After experiencing life at NTU for the last 3 years, I enjoy the friendliness and down-to-earth attitude of NTU the most. I find that lecturers and the course leaders are open to hearing feedback from students and acting on it. Staff here genuinely want you to succeed and are committed to supporting you all the way. I can’t recommend NTU enough!