Life as an MA student

The main reason why I chose to engage myself with Women's Studies stemmed from my personal passion for feminist theory and practice, which was gradually developed at the undergraduate level. On the other hand, the University of York had long been internationally prominent for its excellent teaching/research qualities. Hence the CWS at York became my first choice when I decided to pursue my MA degree in England.

It appealed to me because of its interdisciplinary nature, excellent teachers and multi-faceted, prolific academic productions. Studying here, I thought, would provide a precious opportunity for me to critically associate my ideals and zeal with the variety of woman-oriented knowledge beyond the range of conventional pedagogic canons. And right now I would like to say that the CWS has never disappointed me. Here I have received amazingly diversified yet utterly profound instructions drawing on different aspects of women's issues - both socially and historically - with deep reference to women's cultures and politics of life experiences. Also I am strongly encouraged to move beyond my 'original' disciplines, to probe into and explore the academic potential of transsubjective, experimental imaginations in the Humanities. Whenever I have any personal or learning difficulties, I have always been surrounded by warm support and useful suggestions from various tutors based both in the centre and in other departments. I am truly appreciative of my experience of studying in the CWS at York, which, I believe, will enrich and invigorate my own understanding of 'The personal is political' within a further, broader horizons.

I have been here for about half a year and the learning experience is always full of discovery and challenges. I didn't expect the life here would be so hard and difficult when I decided to come to York. But now it has become the most tough but brilliant adventure in my life. I'm still fighting, but I enjoy it a lot. Without having any background knowledge of Women's Studies, I always come across perspectives which challenges the normality we take for granted and, therefore, stimulate my thinking to question everything.

I used to make judgments in terms of right or wrong, good or bad, positive or negative, but now I see many possibilities between the two extremities. My life in the Centre for Women's Studies is not only about acquiring the theoretical knowledge related to sexuality, but also to give myself an opportunity to be critical of myself and to see the world in a different way.

Women's Studies appealed to me as an opportunity to study in an environment where the relationship between life experience and intellectual development could be nurtured. Studying at the CWS at York has challenged and rewarded me far more than I had even hoped. On an academic level, my time here has allowed me to draw my interests in academic hierarchies, feminist theory, and online culture together.

Personally, I have found that the combination of diversity and shared aims among the staff and students at the CWS has given me invaluable inspiration and support over the past six months.