早上检查邮件,发现这一封,是在我做志愿者的课堂上认识的一名大学生,分享我她的一些困惑.虽然有上百封邮件等待处理.我还是优先回复了这一封.因我自己是经过这一过程的.后面蓝色的是我的回复.抱歉没有时间翻译.如有更好的建议,请让我知道,我会转达给这个希望得到帮助的小姑娘.
Dear Ms. Chen:
Happy new Year of the Rat!
I'm sorry to ask you for advices even you are very busy with work, I guess. I'm a senior student now, you know. Actually, I have been planning to go to HK for further study. So I must get a high grade in the exams, a high band of IELTS, and even do some research, which is very hard to me. Even though, I still want to have a try and maybe I will get better opportunities in the future. But this vacation I realized that if I study in HK without scholarship, it would bring much harder economic burden to my family than I predicted. And some people told me not to overestimate what the high education could bring to us. But I've already paid the fee of taking IELTS and will take it on May 10.
Anyway, I am going to take IELTS, at least it can help to improve my English. But now the issue is that I'm not sure wether to continue my plan or make some changes. If I don't apply to study in HK, I have to hunt for a job next year. But you know, to undergraduates, it's very hard to find a job. If I stick to my dream, it is likely that I can't get the scholarship and my family may not afford it.
What can I do? Time is limited, I really have to make a decision and utilize the time well. What's your advice? Thank you.
warmest regards,
HJ
Dear HJ,
Happy New Year!
Thanks for you trust and share opinion from me. The 1st thing I would suggest, is always rely on yourself to make decision, cause you own your gut of feeling, which is where your dream comes from. Just like how you impressed me in the class.
Of course, there are still several rules you can follow. Before make decision, collect information and ask questions as many as you can. At this stage, consulting others may show you a different angle of thinking ignored by you. For instance, what is your objective pursuing education in HK? Is there any major or curriculum you interested? Would you be more competitive in talent market after you complete your study in HK? Or you just want to avoid facing job finding challenge? Do you have a clear career roadmap? If you have, is there any education gap you have to overcome as early as possible (e.g.. if you want to teach in university or doing R&D, a PhD is must).
With all these questions and answers, please list all the good things and bad things you can imagine from making either of the two options. After comparing that, I think you may know your decision already.
Another important thing is that, there is NO perfect decision at all. Every choice bring benefit and risk. However, there are very less decisions which are absolutely wrong and can't be corrected. Actually I learn even more from mistakes I made. So don't afraid of making decision. Whatever mind you make up, just 100% move ahead.
I am fully confident you will do well. Hope it helps. Looking forward to good news from you.
Regards,
Xiaojing
