Chinese international students Long Cheng and Wanjun Yang both completed their respective degrees at Maynooth University. Now they are embarking on their professional career in Ireland.
Long Cheng and Wanjun Yang took two different paths – one in research and the other in accounting. And yet, the common thread that runs through their student journey is an education underpinned by a strong curriculum, research and subject expertise of university lecturers and a collegial campus community.
They enjoyed their student life whilst enrolled at Maynooth, but their stories continue to unfold as they embarked on their professional career in a European country with a culture that’s different from the one they left behind.
Long Cheng utilises his Engineering degree in research
Long Cheng finished his PhD in Engineering in 2014 and currently works as a Marie Curie Fellow at University College Dublin’s Faculty of Science & Engineering and Electronic Engineering departments. Whilst studying at Maynooth, he received a scholarship grant from the Irish Research Council Postgraduate Research Scholarship from 2011 to 2014. His research project was co-funded by IBM.
When asked what’s unique about studying at Maynooth University, he reminisces with fondness, “The campus is very beautiful and I believe that it is an ideal place for study and research. As a Chinese who has lived in Europe for eight years, I think that the Maynoothers are the friendliest. I still miss my time there.”
Long Cheng adds that the research methods that he learnt have been very important and have helped him grow as an independent researcher.
Wanjun Yang settles into the Irish workplace
In 2017, Wanjun Yang completed her master’s degree in Accounting. Prior to this, she also studied at Maynooth University for her bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance. She now works as an audit assistant at the Accountancy and Financial Management department of Deloitte in Dublin.
“When I first arrived in Ireland, I was nervous because I was so far away from home,” confides Wanjun. She felt that her English wasn’t so good. She was in unfamiliar surroundings, and a lot of things in Ireland were done differently than those in her home country. She gradually reached out to other Chinese students in her English class. “I met people from different backgrounds and ages, and made friends.” She gradually opened herself up to new experiences and began adjusting to Irish culture. The new friendships that she formed also allowed her to practice her English as she confidently communicated her ideas in English, of course. This was the start of her memorable student journey. Soon enough, she adjusted to university life and blended like a local.
