GSN Alumni

After several months, the ‌2025 Georgia graduates‌ are now embarking on their ‌true overseas academic journey‌ as students at prestigious global universities. Last year, Georgia students secured ‌4 offers from UC Berkeley‌, and ‌Veky‌, as one of them, is the first to share the ‌freshest insights‌ into university life.

I haven't officially declared my major yet for my first semester at UC Berkeley, but I’ve been exploring in sociology, education, and courses related to humanity. Most of the lectures that I attend are typically very large, usually around 150 to 300 students, which can be overwhelming at first. Luckily, each of the lecture is paired with a smaller discussion section of about 20 students, where we can ask questions, share our opinions, and really dive deeper into the course material. This structure has worked great for me to obtain broad academic exposure with more personal, engaging conversations. Beyond academics, my overall experience at UC Berkeley has been both fulfilling and thrilling. One of the best things about being here is getting to meet classmates who have such diverse backgrounds. Many of the students I work with in class are juniors, seniors, or even graduate students, so I am exposed to perspectives shaped by more advanced study and life experience. These experiences both enrich classroom discussions and create opportunities for natural networking and developing meaningful connections.

Looking back, I feel that my years at Georgia served to make the transition into college life very smoothly. The all-English environment in Georgia gave me a foundation that made me much more comfortable when I first got to Berkeley. Since all the subject in GSN were instructed in English, I developed the habit of thinking and expressing myself in English, which therefore made lectures, readings, and discussions at Berkeley appear far less intimidating. Meanwhile, the wide range of assignments at Georgia, whether it was intensive reading, essay writing, or group projects, mirrored the kind of academic work I now have at college. Because of that, I am able to approach many of the assignments with confidence here in UC Berkeley. Aside from academics, Georgia fostered me a strong sense of independence and responsibility for my own learning. All teachers encouraged us to be active participants in class discussions, to question and analyze, and to openly express our opinions. That experience made me being more comfortable to engage with classmates in many ways, and take full advantage of the resources Berkeley offers. Overall, my time at Georgia not only prepared me for the academic expectations of college, but also gave me the mindset and capability to thrive in a new intellectual and cultural environment.