Guo Yingshan
BBA Student, 2024
Student Message - IBC Programme Experience
Q: How did you feel when you first decided to join the IBC programme?
A: When I initially decided to join the IBC programme, I was filled with apprehension and even considered it an adventure—I constantly worried that my English skills would not be sufficient for an all-English curriculum, fearing that I would find myself at a loss in class.
Q: Did this concern change after you actually entered the IBC programme?
A: Once I stepped into the IBC environment, that unease was quickly replaced by a powerful sense of support. My classmates and professors subtly influenced me, and their presence became a continual source of strength as I overcame difficulties and made progress.
Q: What kind of learning experience did IBC professors bring to you?
A: Most of the professors at IBC come from diverse educational backgrounds, and they naturally incorporate cultural details from different regions into their lectures, transforming dry knowledge into vivid and engaging learning experiences. Notably, they consistently foster an atmosphere of equality and ease in the classroom. Whenever I stammered while expressing my viewpoints, the professors always listened patiently, offering respect and validation even if my ideas were not fully developed.
Q: Was there a particularly memorable moment when collaborating with classmates from different countries?
A: Group discussions have been the most impressive aspect of my experience. Once, due to differing understandings of a question, we debated for a long time without reaching a consensus. Ultimately, we slowed our pace and patiently listened to each other's perspectives, only to realize that it was simply cognitive biases arising from our different cultural backgrounds. These clumsy exchanges encouraged me to gradually try to understand issues from the other person's cultural context rather than rushing to persuade them.
Q: In the end, were language barriers and cultural differences obstacles or gains for you?
A: Initially, language barriers and cultural differences made communication with my foreign classmates particularly challenging. But it was precisely these stumbling exchanges that gradually taught me to understand issues from the other person's cultural context. Looking back, these challenges turned out to be the greatest gains.
Q: If you were to summarize what the IBC programme brought you in one sentence, what would you say?
A: I am grateful for the IBC programme; it is like a bridge connecting me to the world, allowing me to step out of my familiar comfort zone and glimpse the diversity and vastness of the world. It has taught me that the world is never black and white, and that each culture has its unique value. Moreover, it has helped me understand that true growth does not come from denying oneself but from approaching this diverse world with kindness and courage.
Photo Credit
Yang Guoqing | MBA Student, 2025