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 | First-ever recipient of the ‘Confucius Institute Scholarship’, Ms Meihua Luo. |
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The first-ever recipient of the ‘Confucius Institute Scholarship’ travelled to China this week on a three-year study period to complete her Master’s degree in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages.
Ms Meihua Luo, a student of the University of the South Pacific says she is excited and nervous about her trip as this is the first time she will be away from home.
“Being out of my comfort zone will be a challenge for me but at the same time I will get to experience being independent. It will be a great learning experience,” she added.
Ms Luo, who was born in China, was raised in Fiji since the age of five.
She will spend a year in China learning the Mandarin language and the Chinese culture after which she will pursue her Masters degree for the next two years.
The scholarship scheme is part of efforts by Hanban, the Confucius Institute Headquarters to support the development of Confucius institutes, facilitate Chinese language promotion and Chinese cultural transmission in the world, and cultivate qualified Chinese language teachers as well as talented students of the Chinese language.
Ms Luo who has also been part of the recently established Confucius Institute at USP is really looking forward to her trip.
She explained that the reason behind applying for the scholarship was the opportunity to study the Chinese language and culture. This was something that she had always wanted to learn.
Under the scholarship, Ms Luo will be studying at the Beijing Language and Culture University. After completing her studies, Ms Luo will be engaged in Chinese language teaching.
“Having completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology at USP, I believe my qualifications would relate well to a career in teaching,” she mentioned.
The scholarship is provided to outstanding students of Confucius institutes. Her studies will begin in autumn 2012, and the scholarship grant will cover two academic years.
The Directors of the Confucius Institute at USP, Professor Denggui Li and Ms Sin Joan Yee wished Ms Luo all the best in her studies.
Ms Luo left for China on 30th August.
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