OLD GIRLS

Ottoline Scriven has been given an award to support her studies in China.

A former Head Girl, Otto read English and Classics at Oxford and is now studying for a Masters in International Development at Tsinghua University in Beijing.

Otto sent this application for an award, ‘After I finished my degree at Oxford, I began to seriously consider my career options. I took interships in law and at NGO's, and became more interested in ideas of globalisation and development. Our world is now inherently international, and, especially in the wake of the financial crisis, I felt that I wanted to learn more about international politics, finance and development on an academic level. My previous degree was Classics and English, so I also wanted to turn towards more of a career-orientated Masters degree.

The Masters in International Development at Tsinghua University attracted me not only as the top university in China, a country only gaining in importance in the world stage, but living in Beijing would also gives me the opportunity for personal development. I am currently learning Mandarin and enjoying the challenge of living in a foreign country. I am also teaching English to Chinese students to help support myself and I am gaining valuable experience in writing and editing, as the Chief Editor of a newsletter for my department.

I plan to stay in Beijing for at least the next two years, coming back home hopefully to research my thesis and take summer internships. My course is a year and a half, and I would like to study Chinese intensively for the 6 months following it.'

The OGA is delighted that Otto plans to be at the Careers Fair held at Malvern St James on Friday 12 February.

Tsinghua University

Tsinghua University