LYU Yiting

Student of Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong
Exchange to University of Canberra, Australia

Having spent almost fifteen years living and studying in mainland China, Hong Kong and Russia, I have been exposed to many cultures. I am also deeply fascinated by different languages and cultures. I chose to take English literature and language as my major subject as I firmly believe that words can make a big difference. In August 2015, I joined the overseas exchange programme to study at University of Canberra ("UC") for one year. As I am passionate about using language as a bridge to connect people from all walks of life, I spent the year in meeting people, listening to their life stories and letting their voices be heard. After a year, I had changed from being someone who came to Australia alone to someone who had made lots of friends from all over the world.

Canberra was a lucky place for me as it was there that I realised my potentials, discovered new interests and showed my value as a Chinese. I was luckily hired by Canberra Chinese radio station FM88/AM1620 as a radio host and reporter hosting two daily programmes - 'Canberra 60 second News' and a talk show called 'Canberrans on the way'. My programmes were broadcast on fifteen Chinese radio stations, in Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane, reaching out to many Chinese Australians. Apart from that, I once worked for the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council of China (中國國務院僑辦) as a bilingual host in the Chinese Cultural Land Talented Youth Troupe performance, and the experience allowed me to see the power of languages in helping to present a better image of China and its culture to the western world.

In the second semester, I worked for Australia Oriental City News, Ostar International Media Group. I interviewed many eminent figures such as the president and vice chancellor of UC, Mr. Stephen Parker. This interview was published in BQ Weekly and the Oriental City News, and reprinted in China Radio International, Xinhua and People's Daily. I also conducted interviews and surveys with residents and liaised with the local communities in Canberra to collect information and data for the Australian Government.

I am a diligent student. I love making presentations and doing public speeches in front of people. Never having stage fright is one of my attributes. Canberra has given me many amazing opportunities to improve myself and become a more capable person. With the support of my friends and teachers, I held my first solo musical performance in the UC Theatre. In May 2016, as a result of a singing competition, I was selected to join New Faces Talent Academy, an Australian-based company specialising in discovering and developing aspiring new talents, and promoting them to professionals in Australia and Los Angeles. I fully appreciated it as it gave me another chance to showcase what I love about Chinese culture by means of traditional musical instruments such as guzheng (古箏), bawu (巴烏), and hulusi (葫蘆絲).

I would like to thank the Cheung Kong Group's Scholarship Programme for making this year so meaningful and memorable. I am very grateful to have gone on such a fascinating journey as part of my university study. Furthermore, I would love to look for more opportunities to develop my potentials and start my career soon. I believe if I work hard, I will be able to make full use of my abilities to embrace my future life and serve as a cultural ambassador for China in Australia.

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