The Year of the Fire Horse signifies a time of action and fresh opportunities. Thank you to our alumni below, who reflected on how their time at Leeds helped open up fresh opportunities for them.

It's not too late for you to be entered in our prize draw. Just tell us how your time at the University of Leeds helped you to grow.

Ting Hong Lai (Finance & Entrepreneurship 2024)

During my semester exchange at the University of Leeds, every day felt like an adventure to me.

I still remember exploring the vibrant campus and laughing with friends in the refectory to discovering new passions that pushed me out of my comfort zone.

What made the experience truly unforgettable were the professors and tutors who didn’t just teach, but encouraged me to explore options, challenge myself, and think bigger about the future.

Their guidance gave me the confidence to pursue opportunities I hadn’t imagined, and that spark eventually led me into the finance industry, where I now carry the same curiosity and drive that Leeds instilled in me.

Looking back, Leeds wasn’t simply just a place I studied for a semester — it was the launchpad for friendships, growth, and opportunities that continue to shape my journey today.

I love and miss Leeds a lot.

Tong Xu (MA Society, Culture and Media 2024)

My studies at the University of Leeds expanded my international horizons, which led me to a precious career opportunity at Haier - the renowned global enterprise based in Qingdao, China.

I’m deeply honored to have taken a group photo with Mr Zhou Yunjie, CEO of Haier, and this moment motivates me to leverage global perspectives to fuel my professional growth at Haier.

Gao Yang (Data Science and Analytics, current student)

The past year has been full of courage and breakthroughs for me. Studying in Leeds not only taught me to think independently but also gave me the confidence to pursue what I truly love.

As a football fan, the first thing I did after arriving in Leeds was to go watch matches around the city. By chance, I discovered a small-town club on the outskirts - Guiseley AFC.

The first time I stepped into their ground, I was amazed. It’s a seventh-tier club, yet they have a website, social media, a ticket system, a fan shop, snacks, even a fan pub - and the evening matches are full of spectators. Here, I experienced the purest football culture and felt the warmth and kindness of people.

Later, I explored football culture across the UK and began trying out photography at matches. One day in December, I nervously emailed Guiseley, asking if I could volunteer as a photographer. I wasn’t sure if it was polite, or if I was even capable of doing an “official” photography task. Then I received a reply, saw my name on the club’s media list, stepped onto the pitch to take close-up photos, and finally saw my pictures shared on social media - it all felt unreal.

I’m grateful to Guiseley. The first time I visited Nethermoor Park on 7 October, I never imagined any of this could happen. That night, I witnessed the purest side of football: families and friends gathering to cheer for their community’s pride. That experience inspired me to explore football grounds in new ways. Guiseley has given me warmth and confidence, encouraging me to keep going.

By photographing with the club, I’ve met many interesting people and become friends with the fans. They greet me at every match and connect with me online, making me feel truly part of this community.

Here, I’ve learned persistence and courage. Every shot I take is not just a photo but a confirmation of my abilities and a personal breakthrough. This experience has taught me that growth doesn’t only come from classrooms or assignments- it comes from daring to try, to step out of your comfort zone, and to follow your passion.

I’m grateful to Leeds for broadening my horizons and to Guiseley for giving me the chance to pursue my dreams. I hope my story can inspire other alumni and future students to explore boldly and chase their dreams courageously.

Ruobing Kong (MA Tesol Studies 2025)

The Year of the Fire Horse stands for action, courage, new chances, and bold, fresh starts. To me, it couldn’t be more fitting for the year my teaching career officially took flight.

In 2025, graduating from the University of Leeds, I set off on a path that kept pushing me forward. I finished my internship in one of China’s northernmost cities, then headed back to my hometown to take part in the spring teacher recruitment. Every step felt like a test of my will and a chance to grow. After two rounds of interviews, I stood out from dozens of other applicants and was offered a permanent teaching position. In that moment, it all fell into place. This wasn’t just a job — it was the real, official start of my professional life.

Looking back now, I know my time at Leeds gave me the confidence and preparation I needed to grab these opportunities. The academic training sharpened my critical thinking and built up my professional knowledge. The diverse, multicultural campus opened my eyes to new perspectives. The hard days and challenges I faced there made me tougher, more resilient, and more independent. Leeds didn’t just hand me a degree — it gave me the courage, the mindset, and the readiness to step into my career.

This year, as I settle into the rhythm of my new job, I can feel how every lesson and experience from Leeds still carries me. The Fire Horse year marks a whole new journey, a brand-new starting line. With energy and drive behind me, I’m ready to move forward confidently — to ride the wave of opportunity and lead the way in this new chapter of my life.

Anhua Wu (MA Education 2025)

The Leeds experience helped me open my mind and meet people who changed my world. It gave me a chance to learn about a whole new world.

Shihong Zhang (Fuel and Energy 2001)

In October 1998, I came to the University of Leeds to pursue a PhD project with the CVCP for an ORS award on catalytic combustion of methane under the supervision of Dr. Valérie Dupont and Professor Alan Williams (Commander of the British Empire-CBE, Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering-FREng).

My four years at Leeds not only led to a successful PhD but also shaped my personality, fostering qualities like diligence, rigor, and strong communication skills.

The results of fundamental research on Chemical Engineering Science at Leeds were published in 2001. This relied heavily on my PhD thesis work on honeycomb platinum and palladium coated monolithic catalytic burners. I accessed world-class facilities, including a rare experimental setup - stagnation point flow reactor.

I also learned more about industrial history about Leeds and about the research available at Leeds. On a deeper level the UK is different in terms of cultural context and industry origins.

After returning to China in 2002, I established a research team focusing on catalytic combustion and low-carbon energy and environmental protection at Beijing Key Lab of Heating, Gas Supply, Ventilating and Air Conditioning Engineering.

This team included experts from both China and abroad, as well as graduates and current students of Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture.

Additionally, Dr Valérie Dupont was invited to lecture on cutting-edge scientific and technological achievements at Beijing and specifically to guide the team’s work in 2007. My team developed the world's first catalytic combustion furnace with near-zero pollutant emissions based on low-carbon principles.

This practical applications pioneering approach has driven the achievement of “Carbon peak” and “carbon neutrality” goals."

Chan (MSc in Geographical Information Systems 2014)

Teachers' feedbacks on my essays were constructive and inspiring. Placement and the CDRC Masters Dissertation Scheme in Leeds also provided me valuable opportunities to apply the knowledge to real-world business problems.

Zheren Wang (TESOL Studies 2020)

I hadn’t imagined that I could be an English teacher until I finished my courses in Leeds. Leeds offers so many chances to be different teachers of different levels. Now I’m an English teacher in a university.

Rui Zhong (Politics 2025)

在利兹大学的学习经历为我的职业发展提供了坚实而持续的支持。除语言能力的显著提升外，我也依托学校优质而严谨的学术平台，系统性地提升了自己的学术研究与分析能力。利兹大学的教师团队始终保持高度的专业精神与开放态度，通过定期的 Office Hour，我得以与多位学术领域内具有权威地位的教师进行深入而直接的交流，从中获得了宝贵的学术指导与职业启发。

此外，学校完善的职业发展体系也为我的求职规划提供了重要助力。通过职业发展中心每周发布的就业信息与资源推送，我参与了多项职业辅导项目，包括免费简历优化服务以及专业的领英职业形象拍摄。这些实践性支持显著提升了我的职业竞争力，为我顺利适应国际化就业环境奠定了坚实基础。

My academic experience at the University of Leeds has provided strong and sustained support for my professional development. In addition to significant improvements in my language proficiency, I have systematically enhanced my academic research and analytical skills through the University’s rigorous and high-quality academic platform. The teaching staff at Leeds are consistently professional and approachable. Through regular office hours, I have had the opportunity to engage in in-depth and direct discussions with leading scholars in their respective fields, gaining valuable academic guidance and career insights.

Moreover, the University’s comprehensive career development system has played a vital role in my career planning. Through weekly updates from the Careers Centre, I was able to access a wide range of professional support services, including complimentary CV reviews and professional LinkedIn profile photography. These practical resources greatly strengthened my employability and helped me adapt effectively to the international job market.

Jonathan Sharp (Chinese Studies 1967)

Studying Chinese at Leeds (I was among he first students when the Chinese Studies Department opened in 1963) was a genuine life-changer for me. Thanks to that degree I was hired by Reuters news agency as a graduate trainee and over the next 30-odd years as a foreign correspondent I was posted to more than 30 countries - including twice to China.

Konain Saif (MSc International Marketing Management 2008)

Cross-cultural competency was the zeitgeist at LUBS, where collaborating with unfamiliar cultures prepared me to manage 65+ global markets. This shifted my focus from demographic diversity to cognitive diversity—valuing different perspectives as a strategic boon. Today, I leverage that foundation to lead Clifton Strengths workshops across APAC with confidence and cultural fluency.

Yan Zhang (TESOL 2025)

During my one-year postgraduate study in Leeds, I became even more convinced that I could live independently. Before, I had lived and worked in other cities far from my hometown. Now, I can study and live in a foreign country and make friends from all over the world. At the same time, after working for several years, returning to campus to learn professional theoretical knowledge has provided a solid theoretical foundation for my teaching practice, making me feel less helpless and more confident in my future teaching.

Elisha Nunis (Law 2019)

When I was studying Law at the University of Leeds, I was honestly quite shy and introverted, especially because I had arrived in my third and final year.

Moving abroad to study was a huge step out of my comfort zone. I was living alone, far away from my family, in a completely new environment, and at first, it was extremely overwhelming. But that experience ended up changing me in ways I didn’t expect. Being on my own meant I had to figure things out for myself, adapt quickly, and become more confident in solving problems without relying on anyone else.

Over time, I became more comfortable speaking up, meeting new people, and handling unfamiliar situations. Studying Law helped me develop structured thinking and attention to detail, but living abroad taught me resilience, adaptability, and self-confidence.

Although I didn't end up practising law after graduating, I can proudly say that my time in Leeds was crucial to landing an opportunity to achieve my lifelong dream of becoming a commercial airline pilot.

As I often look back at my time at Leeds, I've come to realise that the university, as well as the opportunity of living abroad had given me the exact skills to help me thrive in the aviation industry, where staying calm under pressure, communicating clearly, and adapting to constantly changing situations are part of everyday life.

I hope students can take comfort in knowing that every decision you've made has led you to where you're meant to be. Trust in yourself, because you can truly achieve anything you set your heart on with hard work and dedication.

Happy Horse Year.

Saurabh Sardana (Msc International Marketing Management 2007)

My entry into the world of marketing began at the University of Leeds, and when I look back today, I can see how quietly and deeply it shaped my career and my worldview. I arrived fresh out of college, juggling different courses while also taking up a part time job. That combination gave me my first real exposure to how ideas worked outside the classroom. Theory started to meet reality very early, and that balance stayed with me long after I left Leeds.

What stood out most was not just what I studied, but how the university functioned as a system. The faculty felt invested, accessible, and genuinely interested in shaping thinking rather than just delivering content. Some of those relationships have stayed with me for more than twenty years, which says a great deal about the culture Leeds created. Two classes in particular left a lasting mark on me. Service marketing helped me understand value from the customer’s point of view, not from a brand’s internal lens. Interpersonal communication across cultures opened up a global window for me at a time when my own exposure was still limited. Those sessions challenged assumptions, built awareness, and taught me how differently people think, feel, and behave across contexts.

The multicultural crowd at the University of Leeds made those lessons real. Conversations with classmates from different parts of the world became a daily exercise in listening, adapting, and learning. Without realising it then, those interactions were shaping my ability to build empathy and work across cultures. They became the foundation points that I would return to again and again later in life.

After completing my course, I spent a significant part of my career working across South Asia and the subcontinent. Years later, I moved to Singapore, which added another layer of global exposure. Each transition came with its own learning curve, yet the lessons from Leeds kept resurfacing. How to listen before speaking. How to read situations shaped by culture. How to build trust where backgrounds and expectations differ. What once felt academic became deeply practical.

After many years in the industry, I eventually took the step into entrepreneurship and founded my own research agency in Southeast Asia. We started small, guided by a belief in thoughtful, human centred insight. Over time, the agency grew into one of the more trusted brands in the region. Today, we work on customer experience, brand equity, and go to market entry strategy for some of the most well known organisations across Southeast Asia. The work may now be cutting edge and the scale much larger, but the mindset remains unchanged. Understand people first. Respect context. Let insight lead action.

When I reflect on this journey, it is clear to me that Leeds was the foundation period where all of this first became possible. It did not just prepare me for a role or a career path. It shaped how I think, how I work, and how I engage with the world. For that, I carry a deep sense of gratitude. The University of Leeds will always be a defining chapter in my story.

Gavin Jayapal (Law 2010)

The University opened up a vista of independent living to me. As a student from SE Asia, I was always used to the notion of living with my parents and having them sort things out.

Being at Leeds taught me a great bit of independence. I still utilise these lessons on independence in my day-to-day living and in practice as an Advocate and Solicitor of the High Court in Malaya, these lessons are invaluable.

I hate to tie life lessons to such a pedestrian matter as finances but having this independence also brought-about much needed confidence to open my own practice and to source my own clients. That led to a great improvement in my quality of life and enabled me to also procure a house large enough to keep dogs.

Attached is a photograph of Lassie, a Golden Retriever my wife and I adopted. We have four dogs in total and truth be told, this would not have been possible but for the independence lessons learnt from my time at Leeds.

B A Lee (PGCE(Sec) 1993)

The experience in Leeds opened up the mind and allowed me to share perspectives other local teachers in Singapore were not exposed to. It gave me courage to continue exploring to seek out fresh ideas. It also made me realise that I really love walking in the countryside which is something I have continued to do in other parts of the world. And meeting like-minded people in the process!

Shengwei Ren (Society, Culture and Media 2024)

The experience of studying media at the University of Leeds has built a solid professional foundation for me to cultivate the media field, and also enabled me to deeply integrate professional knowledge and practical scenarios in the work of the International Media Port of the Yangtze River Delta Headquarters of Shanghai CCTV, and efficiently cope with various challenges of media work.

Here, I would like to express my sincere thanks to the University of Leeds for its training, which has paved a solid path for my career development.

Nishanti Ranee Noelpillai (Law 2014)

When I came to Leeds, it was the first time I had left my home country Malaysia. I learnt the rhythm of making friends and conversation through spoken and unspoken words. I learnt that my personal tutor, a man of such intellect, was down to earth and able to laugh at himself and see the value in others. Leeds created in me a desire to want to be excellent as I watched my lecturers of varying ages, personality, cultural and family background, all showcasing the same values- skill, maximum effort and a passion for the subject of law they undertook to deliver to us students.

Today, having raised three children under the age of five, and going back to the law once more after a six year maternity break, I want to not just be good, but to persevere as the tougher days in Leeds taught me to; I want to operate in good faith and integrity as I have seen my lecturers do. I want to endure, as the three years in Leeds taught me to do. A fresh start? Or a continuation of the spirit of excellence sowed in my by the years in Leeds of training to think critically, of analysing issues and distilling matters to deal with the crux of the issue be it at work or in the home.

I would not have had it any other way. Leeds will always be a place that I call home, and though three years out of my 34 years of life is short, it was a formative experience and a treasured season in my life. Love Leeds, love life.