May we all have the courage to choose our own paths—a brief interview with Zoey

Zoey is a girl from China, currently in her second year of undergraduate studies at the IFKW. She has spent over two years in Germany. We first met in one of our major courses, and we knew each other better as our hometown is close.

In a brief conversation, I learned that after studying in China for over a year, Zoey decided to leave her undergraduate studies in China, learn a foreign language, come to a distant country, explore diverse internships, and choose a completely new major and educational system.

In my eyes, this was undoubtedly a brave and admirable decision. She didn’t have the typical anxieties related to age, nor did she exhibit the self-doubt and rush commonly seen among Chinese students. With her permission, I conducted a brief interview with her.

“In fact, your former university in China was also excellent. Why did you choose to start anew in Germany?”

Zoey:I think I’m someone who really enjoys experiencing different aspects of life. After studying at a Chinese university for a year and a half, I told myself it was time to immerse myself in the academic atmosphere of a different country and culture. I consider myself someone who embraces change; a dynamic environment excites me and presents new challenges. Coincidentally, my teacher at the time was German, and after discussing it with him, I made the decision to continue my studies in Germany.

“What is the most significant difference between undergraduate studies at LMU and Chinese universities, and how do you perceive the widespread anxiety within the Chinese student community?”

Zoey:LMU provides students with significant autonomy in their learning, offering a more flexible and diverse range of courses. Interestingly, despite experiencing consistent anxiety, I don’t necessarily view the anxiety within my reasonable and controllable limits as entirely harmful.

My anxiety serves as a driving force, urging me to continually progress. I am the kind of person who experiences anxiety in various aspects of life, whether it’s about academic planning or internships. However, without this anxiety, I wouldn’t have the motivation to undertake these challenges and move forward. Therefore, I am currently learning to coexist with and harness the energy of my anxiety.

“Did you encounter many difficulties and dilemmas in making this choice, and what would you say to your past self from two years ago?”

Zoey:The greatest challenge I faced was likely the timing of applying to German schools, coinciding with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Exams and visa processes became exceptionally difficult, leading me to contemplate taking a gap year.

However, overall, I’m not someone who dwells excessively on decisions. Once I weigh the pros and cons and make a choice, I don’t linger in indecision or regret; I simply move forward. So, to the version of myself from two years ago, I’d like to say, let’s continue bravely moving forward.

“How would you describe your current life, and do you have any aspirations for your future?”

Zoey:I currently feel some pressure from my academic responsibilities, but I’m persistently working on maintaining a balance between my studies and internships. I also aim to carve out time for acquiring new skills. However, every aspect of my journey is a result of my own choices, and I have no regrets or qualms. The ability to autonomously pursue new possibilities is already amazing and cheerful for me.

As for the future, my thoughts are increasingly focused on planning for my graduate studies. However, I haven’t defined specific goals yet. Will I stay here or return to China? Will I embrace a new challenge in a different country? These remain uncertain, but I’m not in a hurry—beyond anxiety and doubt, what we need is a steadfast heart.