Where are you from and what were you doing before enrolling in graduate school? 

I was born and raised in Wuhan, China, yes, the very city people first learned the existence of coronavirus. Besides coronavirus, Wuhan is also known for its exceptional breakfast and colleges, and I was lucky to be a journalistic student at one of those colleges. 

In my sophomore year, I went on an exchange program at UC Berkeley. The people I met there convinced me that I have to come back to California for further education, and that led to the story I’m telling you today!

How did you learn of the degree program and why did you choose USC Annenberg?

I have to be honest, USC Annenberg was what everybody was talking about. Almost everyone I knew who wanted to study journalism and communication in the United States had USC Annenberg on their list. Besides the fact that USC Annenberg is one of the best schools in the communication field, another reason why I chose it is the fact that it is located in California, the place I missed so much since my last departure.

What have you enjoyed the most about the degree program?

What I enjoyed the most about the degree program are its inclusiveness and flexibility. Not only is there an enormous range of classes to choose from, but all professors and faculty here also encourage you to pursue whichever path you like and are always ready to provide any assistance you need. My friend and I are taking Dr. Lee’s capstone class, and can you believe that while she is working on her PhD application thesis, I am building influence for my TikTok account? That is how diverse this program can be!

In the past semesters, I’ve learned about market research, web design, influencer strategy… whatever you can think of! The program has definitely helped me explore my potential and what I’m truly passionate about.