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As part of our Graduate Spotlights series, we recently had the pleasure of speaking with Shiqing Gong, Graduate in MA Development Studies and recipient of a Spirit of Sussex Bronze award.  In our discussion with Shiqing, she reflected fondly on her participation in the Spirit of Sussex Award. Looking back on her time at Sussex, she felt the award helped to develop her passions and interests and has been beneficial for her employability after University.

Before joining Sussex for her Masters degree, Shiqing worked in the USA as a language teacher, and upon her graduation, landed a job working for UNESCO international, where she researches and develops rural education across China, South East Asia, and Africa.  

She has a passion for education and women’s rights and was able to log points for various extra-curricular activities she engaged in, around these interests. She believes the award can inspire and motivate students to try new things and credits the award for developing her own passions further.  

Shiqing initially found out about the award through a friend, and upon learning more about what the award could offer, began logging points for her involvement in extra-curricular activities. Throughout her time at Sussex, Shiqing has logged points for various activities such as setting up a fundraising campaign for an education project in Uganda, participating in a half marathon to raise money for schools in Canada, and writing an article about women and poverty in China for the Institute of Development Studies.  

‘The award helps in your self-confidence and your sense of community.’  

Before coming to Sussex, Shiqing had only intended on participating in her hobbies, however, quickly became involved in organisation and leadership. She was inspired to get involvedby the friends she made and their shared passion and advocacy for women’s rights. This involvement enabled Shiqingto form lasting connections with like-minded people at the university. Through her engagement in extra-curricular opportunities, she received support from staff and fellow peers, and was able to develop and participate in exciting projects inspired by her interests. She feels the Spirit of Sussex award is beneficial for new students as it helps to build community-based on shared passion.   

'The Spirit of Sussex award is a recognition of what I have done at Sussex. It reminds me of what kind of person I was in the UK.' 

In our discussion with Shiqing she reflected on how the award has been beneficial to her personal development. She has been able to expand her CV, which as a postgraduate student, she believes is of particular importance. Shiqing reflected on this by stating 'the award helps you to build up your skills. Teamworking, problem solving, multi-tasking. It is substantial to your career development.' The award complimented her studies, whereby she was learning in the classroom, but gaining practical skills and real-world experiences through engagement in the Spirit of Sussex Award and engaging with activities that could not be emulated in the classroom.  

Shiqing concluded our discussion with a message for current Sussex students: "If you have the interest and your eagerness to do something that makes your life more fulfilling at Sussex, you should engage with the award and get involved in activities, no matter what they are…The skills and experiences I have gained from my time at Sussex have stayed". 

Start logging points today and join the community of Spirit of Sussex Awardees.