【推荐1】When I was six, I was so desperate to be out in nature. I’d be transported through David’s documentaries (纪录片) to all these amazing places. I did a PhD studying ants and butterflies, before getting a call from the BBC asking about my work for a show called Life in the Undergrowth. I was so excited and immediately begged, “Please let me help!”

Sir David himself came to film with me, so I got to meet him early on, and he is the loveliest person. Something was wrong with the car. He dived straight under it to try to fix it. His enthusiasm and passion was so real. The first trip I did with him was to Israel as an assistant producer, then in Madagascar. My dream came true.

Usually, we spend six weeks filming for about three minutes of TV. What usually happens is that we’re going to film one thing but the animal ends up doing something else. We stay in whatever basic accommodation is the closest, because we can’t waste time on the way. So it’s rare that we stay in a hotel. Patience is the key, then learning and listening.

Of course you encounter animals that could hurt you. There was a moment on Planet Earth where a wolf approached me and we had to push it off with a camera. During filming for Seven Worlds we came across a beautiful but deadly snake, which casually came into our room. I took it up in a hat and put it back into the jungle. I still remember the chimps in Senegal jumped on a tree next to me and pushed it to the ground. He was like saying, “You can stay here, but if I wanted to crash you, I could.”

When we film certain animals, like lions for example, we must be vigilant. We know they will attack other creatures for their territories, but there’s something fascinating in the small creatures. I’ve always cared about these beautiful lives and the planet. I desperately want to preserve the creatures in the natural world.

【推荐1】I love travelling, but it hasn’t always been my passion (酷爱)．In my first year of university, I started to travel during the holidays. During the holidays I went to Pairs and during the spring vacation, I visited Athens and various cities in Italy. I was very excited because this was the first time I had travelled abroad with just my friends. This desire to travel started off simply as a way to have something to look forward to after exams, but I soon discovered how important it is to travel.

On my travels, I have had the opportunity to not only experience new and exciting cultures through the art, history, language and food, but also communicate with people who have different views on life. Travelling is a learning experience for both yourself and the people you meet. Some people I met during my travels had never heard of Gambia and it was very delightful to share my African roots with them. When you travel you will meet people who have different cultural backgrounds, and as a result, sometimes your own ideas and opinions might be challenged. It’s important to learn to see things from other people’s perspectives (角度) and to challenge your own.

This is how I realize that travelling is the realization of home. When you travel you’re exposed to a different setting (背景), a different language and a different way of living. All these factors, mixed with a new and exciting adventure, make you realize your own home. Not just the physical location of home, but also your way of life and your outlook.

Travelling is truly an enriching experience and I am always excited about the discoveries that await me in my next adventure!

“WELCOME, XIE LEI!”

BUSINESS STUDENT BUILDING BRIDGES

Six months ago, 19-year-old Xie Lei said goodbye to her family and friends and boarded a plane for London. It was the first time that she had left China. “I was very excited but also quite nervous. I didn’t know what to expect,” Xie Lei recalled.

Xie Lei is studying for a business qualification at a university in China and has come to our university on a year-long exchange programme. “I chose the exchange programme because I wanted to learn about global business and improve my English. My ambition is to set up a business in China after graduation,” she explained.

At first, Xie Lei had to adapt to life in a different country. “You have to get used to a whole new1ife,” she said. “I had to learn how to use public transport and how to ask for things I didn’t know the English names for. When I got lost, I had to ask passers-by for help, but people here speak fast and use words l’m not familiar with. I ask them to repeat themselves a lot!”

Although some foreign students live in campus accommodation, Xie Lei chose to live with a host family, who can help with her adaptation to the new culture. “When I miss home, I feel comforted to have a second family,” XieLei said. “When there’s something I don’t know or understand, I can ask them. They are also keen to learn about China. Laura, the daughter of my host family, wants to study in China in the future. We take turns to cook each evening. They really love my stir-fried tomatoes and eggs! Laura says she always feels hungry when she smells it, so I taught her how to cook it, too.”

Another challenge for Xie Lei is the academic requirements. The first time that she had to write an essay, her tutor explained that she must acknowledge what other people had said if she cited their ideas, but that he mainly wanted to know what she thought! Xie Lei was confused because she thought she knew less than other people. Her tutor advised her to read lots of information in order to form a wise opinion of her own.

Xie Lei also found many courses included students’ participation in class as part of the final result. Students need to generate ideas, offer examples, apply concepts, and raise questions, as well as give presentations. At first, Xie Lei had no idea what she should say but what surprised her was that she found herself speaking up in class after just a few weeks. “My presentation on traditional Chinese art was a great success, which boosted my confidence,” she said. “I’ll use these skills back home for presentations. They’ll help me build a strong business in the future.”

Now halfway through her exchange year, Xie Lei feels much more at home in the UK. What seemed strange before now appears quite normal to her. “Engaging in British culture has helped,” she said. “As well as studying hard, I’ve been involved in social activities. British people are fascinated by our culture and eager to learn more about it, so I’m keen to share my culture with them. While I’m learning about business, I’m also acting as a cultural messenger building a bridge between us.”

We will follow Xie Lei’s progress in later editions, but for now, we wish her all the best.