Gallery

Barcelona · 2022

UNESCO-ICHEI & Barcelona

I would like to start my story with my experience working at UNESCO-ICHEI. I was lucky to have the opportunity to work there because the third World Higher Education Conference was held in Barcelona in May 2022. The Department of Knowledge Production and Communication Centers at UNESCO-ICHEI needed someone proficient in both new media and Spanish. Luckily, this opportunity came to me, and I was chosen. I guess that was the moment when my connection with Barcelona began to take shape.

Also feel free to check out one of the publications I have contributed to: World Higher Education Conference amid Digital Transformation of Higher Education.

Guangzhou · 2022

Literal first steps

I was born in 2000, but I started kindergarten when I was only one and a half years old. In 2006, I graduated from kindergarten and even wore a bachelor's gown for my graduation photos.

In June 2022, I finally graduated from Guangdong University of Foreign Studies with a bachelor's degree in Hispanic Philology. By then, I had already decided to move to Barcelona to pursue my master's degree and begin a new chapter in my life. However, I didn’t yet know that just a few years later, I would become a PhD student.

Barcelona · 2023

Master's thesis

I completed my master's degree in Theoretical and Applied Linguistics at Universitat Pompeu Fabra from September 2022 to July 2023, under the supervision of Dr. Janet DeCesaris.

I am deeply grateful to have been her final student during her last year of teaching. I cherish every meeting in Janet's office, where we spoke as both mentor and mentee, as well as friends. Janet was my most important guide, patiently answering all my questions and offering unwavering support, encouragement, and guidance, both academically and personally. Without her, I could not have made such progress in my field.

In July 2023, I successfully defended my master's thesis with distinction.

Toulouse · September 2025–January 2026

A treasured five months in Toulouse

My five-month research stay in Toulouse became one of the most meaningful experiences of my doctoral journey. When I contacted my host supervisor in early 2025, I never imagined that France would become such an important part of my life.

The guidance and support I received during my stay continue to be deeply meaningful to my PhD work. My French is still very limited—perhaps the sentence I used most often was Je ne parle pas français—but my host supervisor and colleagues were always patient and welcoming, helping with translations and making me feel part of the group.

I was also lucky to meet many thoughtful and interesting colleagues. We shared lunches, discussed research and everyday life, and enjoyed a lab atmosphere that was warm, supportive, and genuinely happy.

Every meeting with my host supervisor left me feeling encouraged, inspired, and more confident about the direction of my research. Toulouse gave me not only valuable academic guidance, but also friendships and memories that I will treasure for a very long time. Merci, Toulouse.