Li Caiyi (from China Shandong)
Admitted to BA (Hons) Linguistics and Translation in 2021

Three years at PolyU have marked a new chapter in my life, offering me numerous opportunities to discover myself and pursue my passions. The most unforgettable experience was a course I took in my first semester as a freshman (2021/2022 Semester 1) titled Introduction to Linguistics. It was my great honour to meet Prof. William Shiyuan Wang, one of the prestigious giants in Linguistics. I was surprised that he was willing to teach freshman students and provided us with a comprehensive and insightful overview of Linguistics. Beyond the rich knowledge he shared, he taught me the significance of lifelong learning and an interdisciplinary approach to study, which have profoundly influenced me to this day. I was fuelled to explore the world of Linguistics at that time and spent much of my spare time reading relevant articles and asking Dr Wu Wing-Li, the tutor, many questions. This not only brought me happiness and satisfaction but also laid a solid foundation for my further learning.

After adapting to university life, I began to actively engage in various activities to promote my all-rounded development. Discovering what you truly love takes time, and I am grateful that my department, CBS, and PolyU provided me with the freedom and numerous opportunities to explore bravely. During the summer term of 2022, I participated in the PolyU International Summer School. It was the first time that I had met students from more than 10 countries and regions in a class to learn Cantonese together. How marvellous it was! I began to apply the linguistic perspectives that I have learned in my major courses to learn Cantonese, and I found that I could grasp the core characteristics of a language quickly and efficiently, such as phonetic and syntactic features. Additionally, the highly interactive teaching methods benefited me greatly, allowing me to have small talks with groupmates in Cantonese, and the knowledge I gained from peers doubled or even tripled. Moreover, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to conduct linguistic research under the supervision of Dr Yao Yao. I learned to collect linguistic data through EEG and gained insights into cutting-edge areas in linguistic studies. Dr Yao is patient and knowledgeable, and she pays special attention to the development of undergraduate students. We can join group meetings and learn from professors and graduate students.

These impressive experiences heightened my awareness of learning through group interactions and communication with others, and fortunately, this was promoted through the CBS Linguistics Society in 2024. As the leader of this student-led organization, with the assistance of Dr Wu Wing-Li, the advisor, I was able to conduct several sharing sessions to introduce lots of linguistic-related topics, such as learning methods, interesting linguistic phenomena in daily life, and my research experiences. Many linguistic enthusiasts gathered at these monthly activities to share their insights with others. And I am happy that I could meet many students interested in Linguistics and that my experience could be beneficial and helpful to them.

Driven by an intense interest in a lot of fields, I have taken eight CAR subjects (general education courses) in PolyU, and the one I took in the summer term of 2024 inspired me to delve into Sociology-related disciplines or the intersection of Linguistics and Sociology (Sociology). That course, called Contemporary Chinese Society and Popular Culture, was taught by Dr Jenny Chan, whom I really want to thank. She introduced lots of topics in Chinese studies, such as nationalism, governance and internet, and provided us with the freedom to share our opinions freely. My critical thinking was largely developed through that course. Additionally, Dr Jenny Chan answered lots of my questions and always encouraged me to try. With encouragement from Dr Chan and teachers from CBS, I was approved for a visiting exchange in Europe in Sociology. I am fortunate to have met many teachers at PolyU who support your choices, listen to your opinions, and sincerely care about students’ all-around development.

Words fail to express my sincere gratitude to PolyU. Beyond the knowledge I acquired from various courses, three years of university life have especially taught me to believe in myself, discover my interests, and recognize my uniqueness. More importantly, I am trying to share what I have learned to others, as it is a significant way of gaining happiness and value of myself. “To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind”, I believe PolyU’s motto subtly influences me, cultivating me to be a positive, open-minded person willing to promote the well-being of humanity.