I am Ziyi Li, from the Class of 2021 of the MA in Communication program-- Film, TV & New Media Concentration (FTNM) , School of Culture and Creativity. After graduation, I often discuss with friends and colleagues my time studying at UIC. During that period, I could not only study specialized core courses, but also have the opportunity to choose from a wide range of elective courses aligned with my interests, which broadened my perspectives and knowledge. Beyond imparting knowledge in the classroom, course instructors encouraged us to develop comprehensive skills such as independent thinking, group collaboration, and hands-on practice. This allowed us to acquire substantial professional knowledge while growing freely according to our individual interests, preferences, and areas of expertise.

Now, I am working as a university teacher and have the privilege of teaching at an institution that values "Liberal Arts Education". I teach courses like "Appreciation of Classic Movies" and "Media Art in Life." As a beneficiary of liberal arts education, I am committed to incorporating "heuristic" and "interactive" teaching methods in the classroom to cultivate students' critical thinking and interdisciplinary study skills. During the teaching semester, I have guided several students to participate in and win awards in film review competitions. This experience has brought me a profound sense of honor and achievement as a teacher, all of which I attribute to my education and growth at UIC.