My experience studying cultural studies has helped me overcome the sense of powerlessness I once felt towards the humanities during my undergraduate studies in philosophy. While the coursework is relatively theory-based, it has given me the opportunity to learn through my own feelings and lived experiences in a more intuitive manner. Conducting case studies in cultural studies differs significantly from the logical deduction required in philosophical research. This has made me more grounded in real-life contexts and honed my abilities as a teacher. I now feel confident in my capacity to present course material to students in a logical yet vivid way.

The collaborative group work in MAICS has been the most harmonious I've encountered. Everyone contributes effort, which has resolved many of my previous fears and biases about group projects. I now feel better equipped to collaborate effectively within a team setting. Overall, Cultural Studies has empowered me, expanding my analytical toolbox and interpersonal skills in ways that will serve me well, both in the classroom and beyond.

As a part-time student, balancing my demanding job as a social worker with part-time studies is challenging, but my deep interest in the subject matter has continually driven me forward. The course content has been incredibly enlightening, providing new insights and stimulating my intellectual curiosity. This learning experience has significantly contributed to my personal and professional growth. Working as a social worker, I have found that my studies in cross-cultural research have had a profound impact on my approach to my job. By understanding society and power relations from new perspectives, particularly the struggles of women in various identities, I can step outside conventional frameworks and view their situations more holistically. This broader understanding helps me better support and advocate for the individuals I work with. I look forward to applying the knowledge and insights I have gained to my work, helping to create a more inclusive and understanding society.

During these two years, I have experienced a supportive and engaging learning environment provided by ICS. The lecturers and tutors have been approachable and always willing to help, greatly enhancing my learning experience. Their dedication and willingness to share their knowledge have been instrumental in my academic journey and have contributed to a positive and enriching experience.

I am extremely grateful for my time at ICS, which has not only empowered me with knowledge but also given me the courage to pursue it further. These are invaluable treasures that I will cherish.

My time at MAICS has opened my eyes to new professional directions to explore. Prior to moving to Hong Kong, I had no experience with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in mainland China. However, after witnessing the workplace culture and operating principles of NGOs here, I believe this sector may align well with my values and aspirations. I've often found commercial organizations to be rife with inequality, where employees are beholden to the directives of their superiors.

Additionally, Professor Cheung Shoan Yin's course, "Media, Medicine and Justice," has piqued my interest in the field of medical humanities. Having lived through two major COVID-19 lockdowns in mainland China, my firsthand observations and experiences have ignited a passion for this area. I am now considering whether I can find a career path related to medical humanities in the future.

This year at ICS was a year of transformation for me. ICS was like a mirror that helped me to recognize myself, escape from the dilemma of failure, and regain my confidence. ICS gave me a pair of eyes to explore the world, allowing me to break through the inherent constraints and think about people, nature and society from different perspectives. It was ICS that gave me the courage to say no to all the inequalities in this world. At ICS, we pay attention to marginalized people, the lower classes and sexual minorities, explore postcolonialism and Asian modernity, and reflect on the opportunities and challenges brought by the development of media and technology. It is ICS that provides us with infinite possibilities and allows us to find our own answers.

In the end, I would like to share what Janet and TieGe said at the end of the first semester: "If everything around you seems dark, look again, you may be the light." "Be Independent." I hope that everyone at ICS can become the light that illuminates themselves and others. No matter where in the world, continue to look at the world and society critically, justly and compassionately, and continue to maintain an independent self!

In my year at ICS, I spent the longest time in the university library during this year, and it became a place where I not only acquired knowledge but also cultivated my critical thinking abilities and independent spirit. Lastly, I would like to conclude with a quote from Janet: "We must believe that here, there are sincere people who truly care about this world." ICS is my spiritual utopia, and just the thought of it brings me back home. I hope that the teachers and classmates of ICS will shine brightly on their own paths and realize their self-worth in the future.

They also inspire me to care about the marginalized groups and things that we overlook. In conclusion, the most crucial lessons MAICS taught me were to think more critically and to be modest.

There is a rumor about MAICS that once you have taken this programme, you will soon find everything around you problematic. My experience has confirmed that this is not a rumor but the truth. The more I learned from different courses, the more sensitive and critical I have become when trying to comprehend and analyze various issues, and that’s why you will find everything problematic—you know how to perceive a situation with multiple perspectives rather than the binary one; you tend to observe an event by deconstructing and contextualizing it instead of taking it for granted; and you challenge and question all the social and cultural norms you once conformed to, unconsciously. These changes I have experienced might not sound cheerful as the cruel reality is that in this problematic world you reveal, not all the problems are solvable. However, I still cherish this acquired capacity to be sensitive and critical about all the so-called “normal” things in my daily life, as I gradually realize that questioning will always be the first step to making changes.

What first attracted me to apply to MAICS was the diverse, enriching, and interesting courses. During this short academic year, I have learned and benefited from many courses I had never been exposed to. For example, the two courses on gender studies taught by the gentle and considerate Prof. Janet were indeed what I was very interested in before the formal classes. During my time with Janet, I learned a lot of basic knowledge and broadened my horizons. I also learned to face injustice in the world with a positive, optimistic, and determined attitude, and to pass on tolerance, gentleness, and love to people around me. Thanks to these rigorous, charming, and knowledgeable professors, I have gained a lot from this rare time abroad. What I learned in MAICS also becomes an important cornerstone for my future development.

The one-year journey in ICS is short but rewarding. Cultural and Politics in the Anthropocene is my motivation to apply for ICS. Whenever I read articles about disasters, wars, and uncertainties nowadays, I always wonder whether there is a way to unite different ethnic groups to tackle the tough issues in the new era regardless of previous hates and conflicts, to call on people from all nations to care about each ethnic group and species instead of from superiority and to build a peaceful multi-species community. The care for marginalized groups is not limited to environmental issues. Gender minorities, digital refugees, and animals are also the subjects that we highlight. Thus, I am very grateful that ICS can give me this great opportunity to disentangle power relations and speak up for marginalized groups. Focusing on so many interdisciplinary fields, ICS provides new possibilities and will work as my guideline to promote dialogue, reconciliation, and peace in my future career.

The year of study at ICS is a fantastic year. We were here to learn theory as well as the reality. Some teachers would move and choke up in class, some focused on their vision on environmental deterioration in hidden places, some brought wonderful literature to help us build new research methods, and others inspired us to pay attention to our own bodies so that we could learn to value each unique self. The whole learning process is a constant questioning process, you will begin to question the world you originally believed in, you will question your new learning, you even will question yourself for making choices. But when the journey is over, believe me, you will have a determined mind like no other.