Cici Luo, MSc Outdoor Education
"I would recommend the programme specifically for the people who are interested in the outdoor and education. Here has a good platform for you to get more ideas from people all around the world about outdoor education. Also, you will have a wonderful life in Edinburgh."
What were you doing before you studied at the University of Edinburgh?
I worked in a camp education company located in Shanghai, China. We focus on providing educational programmes for children aged 7-12. Before COVID-19, we had a cooperative program with a British outdoor provider. I encountered many friendly and interesting international friends from this program. That’s the start point for the idea that I want to study abroad to find more about the different but also similar cultures.
Why did you choose to study at the University of Edinburgh?
The first reason is there has a program ( outdoor education) that is highly related to my interests. From my previous five year’s work experience, I believe working for promoting children learn from nature and build a connection with nature will be my life purpose. Human beings are part of nature. It will be a huge pity if we do not understand the reciprocal relationship there.
The next reason is UoE has great fame, to be a student here will help me to get good study resources and meet lots of interesting mates from all over the world.
The final one, Edinburgh is a historic city, the landscape here is perfect for my programme.
Why did you choose to study this degree?
Like the last question. My life purpose (based on my current understanding of myself ) match with this programme.
What did you enjoy most about the programme?
I enjoy the group we have here. Because most of my classmates have experience being an educator, I feel I will be surrounded by a group of good teachers sometimes. Especially when I have just come to this strange language environment, everyone gave me lots of encouragement about how to use English to communicate. And also, I enjoyed the residential trip we had. Great thanks for we can have the chance to still make the field study. I know it’s hard to organize a job under the shadow of COVID-19.
What specific skills did you develop?
The sure thing is my English skill. The other things I’m not so sure and it’s not easy to make a definition about them. I think there is some development that happened in the way of how I thought. According to lots of information we got from the course, my view had been opened a little more. Simply says maybe be more critical than before. Also, I thought the awareness about whether it is no good or bad in the world is important for me to build my personal education praxis.
What was the most useful thing you learned in your lectures, workshops and tutorials?
Always ask back, and try to find the essence. Like if you have a question, why do you have the question, and why do you want to ask why you have the question…
Why would you recommend the programme to others?
I would recommend the programme specifically for the people who are interested in the outdoor and education. Here has a good platform for you to get more ideas from people all around the world about outdoor education. Also, you will have a wonderful life in Edinburgh. From the course, you can get some idea about how philosophy works on the education part. Every educator prepared professional skills to guide your study and help you to enjoy the study journey.
In what way do you think the degree will contribute to your career?
I’m not so sure about how to benefit it is. Outdoor education is a new concept in my home country. Probably I only can answer this question after several years’ of practice by myself.
The sure thing is the platform provided by the Uni will open a door to finding human and material resources.
What advice would you give to someone considering studying this programme at Edinburgh?
Students’ life is not only in the school. “Go out and meet people”, and try to get more new experiences in this precious study time. Always open yourself to new people and new thoughts. Enjoy everything.