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Manni Li celebrating her degree result on campus

Manni Li in Jubilee building

We caught up with Finance BSc graduate Manni Li. She shares how student support services such as the English Language for Academic Study (ELAS) and the Student Academic Success Advisor (SASA) team transformed her experience as an international student during the pandemic, enabling her to complete her degree with resilience and achieve a first in Finance in 2023.

You started your degree with the Business School in 2020 amid the pandemic and were learning online for the first term. What challenges did you face during that time?

I was thrilled to be enrolling at the AV��Ƶ Business School, drawn by its seaside location in Brighton, promising warmth, a relaxed lifestyle, and easy transportation. However, navigating unfamiliar subjects in a non-native language, particularly intricate financial concepts like trading and pricing exotic options, proved challenging, even in my native tongue, so learning these concepts in a non-native language added an extra layer of difficulty.

I was concerned about my English proficiency when I started at the Business School because I attended a regular high school in China where all classes were in Chinese. Unlike some classmates who studied A-levels at international high schools, I didn't have a fully complete experience with English learning conventions and was unfamiliar with English academic requirements.

In addition, the onset of COVID-19 created a new set of challenges. Lockdown meant I had to continue my studies back home in China, shifting my education online and separating me from campus life.

Learning through a screen felt isolating, depriving me of the in-person support I needed. Adding to the complexity, the time difference between the UK and China meant I had classes during the late hours, causing significant fatigue. I had final exams with a 24-hour (take away paper) format, which started at 9 am UK time, meaning late-night sessions for me in China, extending until 1 am. While UK-based students navigated these exams during regular working hours, my altered schedule meant an additional challenge to an already demanding academic journey.

How did you get through such a challenging time? Do you have any advice for current international students experiencing difficulties with their studies?

Everyone goes through a period where they can't handle the accumulated pressure, such as the stress from the difficulties of studying internationally or the stress from family conflicts. During such times, taking a break might be a good opportunity for adjustment, but it doesn’t always work for everyone, as it can come with a sense of guilt. Compared to some peers who are still moving forward, a pause in the journey might lead to even greater pressure, and it might not be conducive to getting back into learning and regaining a study mindset.

Instead, I would advise any students going through similar challenges to access the support of the Student Academic Success Advisor (SASA) team. They can often help with language barriers and workload pressures, assessment periods, as well as working with you on course content that you are finding difficult to understand.

How did you find out about the Student Academic Success Advisor (SASA) service at the Business School? 

Each of us has our own Student Academic Success Advisor automatically assigned to us upon enrolment, and I remember seeing this information displayed on my Sussex Direct page. There is also a for students to enrol on, as well as prompts on each module’s Canvas page, so I naturally became aware of the SASA service.

Given my limited experience with similar assistance in my previous studies in China, I was initially quite curious about the SASA team. Additionally, due to remote learning, I lacked direct contact and discussion with classmates, putting me in urgent need of professional academic support.

I contacted my Academic Advisor Ms Hengyi Wang and booked an appointment by going to Sussex Direct > Study > Student Life > Academic Success on the Business School website.

Initially, I was concerned that my English might not accurately convey my questions about the School curriculum and certain academic papers, but fortunately, Hengyi speaks Chinese, so she was able to provide me with the precise and detailed academic assistance I needed.

What advice and support did you receive from the Student Academic Success Advisor (SASA) service at the Business School?

Throughout each semester, I regularly met with Hengyi. We discussed the reference format for academic papers, and she provided valuable insights on selecting elective courses, deciding on a postgraduate programme, and other academic recommendations.

Hengyi not only assisted me academically, but she also provided support for my personal life. She regularly reminded me to take breaks at appropriate times while studying, advising me not to burden myself with too much pressure.

I remember during the final assessment period; I was rejected twice by The University College London (UCL). The situation was especially puzzling given that my academic background was stronger than that of some students accepted to UCL during the same period. It was challenging for me to identify the specific reasons for the rejections and pinpoint areas that required improvement. During that period, I frequently booked meetings with Hengyi, who gave me tremendous encouragement.

Later, while completing my final exams and thesis, I persisted with my applications. Though the process was lengthy, I eventually received offers from the London School of Economics (LSE), the University of Hong Kong, the University of Manchester, and the University of Edinburgh, fulfilling my aspirations.

How did all these support services help you overcome your difficulties?

When it comes to academic support, I think the one-on-one meetings were helpful. I also remember Hengyi organising regular academic mini-courses every Wednesday, which I attended. The courses dedicated to refining introductions for academic papers and navigating the graduate school application process were especially beneficial.

The service was also a valuable resource for me, especially during times when I had concerns about accurately expressing myself in academic papers written in a non-native language. Thankfully, ELAS provided one-on-one improvement sessions that specifically addressed grammar and expression in our academic writing.

I am also thankful to my language tutor, Ms. Carol Leslie-Johnson, who was incredibly gentle, patient, and professional. During her Zoom classes, I systematically learned how to read academic papers, take academic notes, and develop skills for presentations. I gained the ability to develop academic English knowledge and application through self-directed tasks and independent resources. Later, when I applied for graduate studies, Carol helped me submit recommendation letters, and I am very grateful for her assistance.

I found the School's teaching platform, Canvas to be very practical and user-friendly. Lecture recordings were uploaded automatically on Canvas, and I watched them with the help of subtitles. It allowed me to understand the course content more easily and I was able to revisit certain concepts that were challenging to grasp. I used Canvas to send messages to my tutors instead of email, as it displayed my course name, helping my professors to identify which course materials I was inquiring about.

Congratulations on receiving a first-class honours degree in Finance, how did it feel when you got your results?

Getting the transcript was a real joy. As an international student navigating a non-native language in a foreign country, scoring a first-class degree was satisfying. None of this would have been achievable without the support and guidance from my amazing teachers and support staff at the Business School, so I am thankful for all the help I received.

You are now studying for a master's degree in AI at Hong Kong University, a highly sought-after degree for many young people. How did your degree in Finance help prepare you for this?

I'm enrolled in the Master of Arts in AI, Ethics, and Society programme. This programme primarily explores the real-world applications of AI and delves into the ethical considerations that may arise across various fields using AI, while also seeking methods to address these ethical issues.

I believe my background in finance will bring fresh perspectives to the project, such as ethical considerations in the compliant use of AI for automated investment programs in the financial sector. However, as someone with a background solely in finance, I was facing some challenges when starting.

In the transition from a Bachelor of Science degree to a Master of Arts degree I'll be dealing with diverse challenges, spanning from mathematical theory to literary writing.

Fortunately, the programme brings together a mix of classmates with backgrounds in computer science, media, and philosophy. This diverse cohort allows a huge opportunity for us to learn from each other across disciplines, enhancing our skills and contributing to our success in our studies and future endeavours.

What advice would you give to international students if they encounter difficulties during their studies?

Most of the difficulties faced by international students in their studies are with language barriers and emotional separation from family. My successful adaptation to life in a foreign country and achieving good results are largely due to the support provided by Sussex. Therefore, I would recommend everyone maintain a certain level of contact with various support departments within the School and wider university.

If you encounter academic difficulties, communicate promptly with your Academic Advisor, and if there are unresolved issues in your personal life, reach out to the Student Experience team, they are a great source of support for both academic and non-academic issues you may be experiencing.

From my personal experience, almost every member of the support team is very friendly and willing to help. Please don’t worry or be shy; actively seek assistance.

As for the challenges related to emotional separation, I have overcome them by staying in regular contact with my mum. I often share the ups and downs of my learning process with her, and her encouragement and support are a great source of motivation for me.

For more information on the SASA support service, including instructions on how to book an appointment, please visit the Student Academic Success Advisor support service website.

Alternatively, you can email the team with any queries at business-acadsuccess@sussex.ac.uk