Yun-Ju Chen

Hi, I’m Yun-Ju from Taiwan. I’m currently pursuing my Master’s in High-Performance Graphics and Games Engineering at the University of Leeds.

Before coming to Leeds, I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science in China. After graduating, I worked as a software engineer at a company in Shanghai, developing my professional skills and gaining industry experience. Throughout my journey, I’ve always wanted to experience different educational systems and explore more of the field of computer science to broaden my knowledge. To pursue the goal, I started looking into the world’s top 100 university rankings, and that’s how I first discovered the University of Leeds.

While browsing through different university websites, I came across the MSc High-Performance Graphics and Games Engineering programme offered by the University of Leeds, and it instantly caught my eye. I’ve always been interested in computer graphics, but there haven’t been many opportunities for me to learn it in a systematic way. The course is structured with a perfect balance between technical depth and hands-on practice, which is exactly what I was looking for. After that, I started searching for more information about Leeds online. As I learned more about Leeds, the more I wanted to come here. With its great academic reputation, friendly and livable environment, and vibrant student life, made Leeds became my first and only choice in the UK.

From the beginning of my application to my arrival in Leeds, the university made me feel truly welcomed. The university responded my enquiries quickly and thoughtfully, hosted regional events and webinars that made me feel part of the community even before arriving, and offered services like airport pickup and orientation week activities.

So far, my experience studying at Leeds has been intense, but also enjoyable. The lecturers are professional, knowledgeable, and always supportive. The teaching doesn’t just focus on theory, it’s also highly practical, encouraging us to think deeply about how to apply theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios. The university also offers virtual work experience opportunities that aligns with our studies, helping us gain industry insight and work experience. I know I will gain a lot from this journey, not just in terms of technical skills, but also in personal growth. Coming all the way from home to study here has definitely been worth it.

Outside of my studies, I enjoy relaxing at the park near the university and exploring the city. One of my favourite things is spending time in different supermarkets, browsing the aisles, discovering new products, and trying items that are rarely sold back home. You can often be surprised by the flavours and ingredients, and it’s really satisfying when you find something you like. Besides that, I enjoy quiet moments at my accommodation when I am not out, it’s comfortable and feels like a second home.

I currently live in the university accommodation at St Marks Residence. It’s a friendly and cozy place to live, with kind and supportive staff. In the reception area, there’s a common room, a printing room, and some exercise facilities. The community here also often hosts social events, which makes it easy to meet people and feel connected here. The residence is located very close to the campus. If you are studying in the School of Computing like I am, it only takes about five minutes to walk to the lab. Another great benefit of living here is that residents get a free membership to The Edge, the university’s sport and fitness centre.