Xiaohongshu
My name is Yujia Gu (Catherine). I completed my master’s degree in Infection and Immunity last September and gained ‘Distinction’ and Dean’s List in the faculty of Medical Sciences.
Last year was a very different and difficult year as the COVID-19 pandemic hit. It was a pity that I missed the opportunity to conduct a lab-based master research project. After my master study, I did not actually know what I want to do for the future so I thought to myself “why not try something different?”, and so I did. Despite being a STEM student, I explored further than my field last year - I helped people with learning disability and autism, translation, did a bit of volunteering in charity shops and online teaching.
These experiences gave me so many unforgettable memories and helped me become a better person.
Last March, I joined ‘Kith & Kids’ organisation as a spring project volunteer via the UCL volunteering program. I wasn't chucked into the deep end but had quite a bit of professional training before the project. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic made the offline spring project non-feasible. Kith & Kids moved the spring project online and it was absolutely amazing! Last August, Kith & Kids proposed an offline workshop and I did not hesitate to join in it as I knew it might be the only opportunity that I could meet other volunteers and people with special needs in person. We had music and dance sessions and we all had a great time there. Later, I joined in several online workshops such as crafting, music, and drama. I was very happy when I saw people with special needs have an improvement in their ability of cognition and communication via these online and offline workshops.
I also joined ‘Translations Without Borders’ last April, an organisation I found through the UCL volunteering program. It really helped me explore a new area – translation. I translated some articles related to the COVID-19 clinical study from English to Chinese (my mother tongue), which helped people who may not know English understand better the symptoms and treatments of COVID-19. I do believe every little help matters. In total, I translated over 4000 words.
Last October, I joined British Heart Foundation and Cancer Research UK as a shop volunteer. It was the first time for me to work in a shop. I learnt how to provide great customer service, sort through donated items and work on window displays. I think that “learning by doing” is definitely a good way to learn new skills. If you have any chance, try it out!
Last November, I joined Otermans Institute as a digital trainer as I was passionate about teaching since I was young. Otermans Institute provides soft skills and professional development with the most disadvantaged and remotely located students in Asia. After completing several comprehensive training sessions, I started my online teaching to students from Lebanon and Pakistan. In the beginning, it was a little bit challenging for me as I did not have any teaching experience before. I was trying my best to deliver good quality online sessions to the students and give them guidance throughout the sessions. After I taught several sessions, I was more confident in teaching and I could complete the sessions on time. I felt that doing online teaching was really rewarding and meaningful when I saw my students learn useful transferable skills such as time management, communication, CV writing and goal-setting skills. I appreciate that Otermans Institute gives me a great opportunity to try a new area – teaching.
In the past few months, I decided to do a PhD to pursue my academic career. Now, I have been successfully admitted to be a PhD student in cancer biology at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. But this whole year has been such a big learning curve with volunteering. I've learnt so much in a short space of time and I'm forever grateful for it.
Written by Yujia Gu, MSc Infection and Immunity