By Lyndon, second year Civil Engineering (BEng Hons)

During my summer this year, I chose to attend a summer school under the university’s guidance. I chose to attend a summer school in Wuhan that dealt with AI and robotics. One of the reasons I picked this program was the location. China has always really interested me as a country and I was eager to experience the lifestyle there for a month. Furthermore, studying AI was extremely interesting to me, as it is now more than ever a huge part of everyday life. I wanted to attend this program to further my knowledge in this field, as it is constantly growing.

Throughout the month, I learned and gained useful experience. Firstly, the information taught about AI and robotics was extremely in-depth and well-explained by lecturers. This allowed me to grasp these concepts better. Furthermore, the program provided both hands-on sessions with software/machinery and company visits. These practical teachings further taught me about these topics and helped me grasp complicated concepts because I could learn from hands-on experience. In addition to the AI and robotics teachings, we also received lessons and workshops on various aspects of Chinese culture. I enjoyed this section of the program as it was useful information that could allow me to immerse myself in parts of Chinese culture outside of program hours.

I enjoyed a lot of different things about this program, both academically and socially. I enjoyed how interactive the program was, as it was full of group work, collaboration and practical work which catered to my learning style. Furthermore, working with so many people from all across the world was a brilliant experience. They quickly went from classmates to friends as we spent time together in and out of class. I would say this was the part I enjoyed the most about my time in China. Meeting so many different people is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, especially as they are from all over the world, learning about their way of life and learning from them was amazing.

I have a few pieces of advice for students who take part in this program in the future. Firstly, would be, try to put full effort into engaging with the learning. Throughout the program, I noticed some students not engaging at all with the material. However, you will find that both the lectures and the practical sessions provide insight into some really interesting topics. Furthermore, I would advise that you try to meet as many different people, in and out of the program, as possible. This is what made the program so enjoyable for me. Finally, I would advise that you try to see as much of China as possible. During my time there I realised how beautiful the country is, and how different each area can be. All in all it was a wonderful experience I thoroughly recommend.

Summer school: AI and robotics in China / School of Engineering Blog by blogadmin is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution CC BY 3.0

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