Meet Yanyu

Why Newcastle?

I chose Newcastle University because it is an excellent fit for my PhD studies.  

The research interests of the supervisors strongly align with my own. Their work in speech perception and second language acquisition closely match my research focus, which gives me confidence that I will receive appropriate guidance and intellectual support throughout my PhD journey. 

Newcastle has very good facilities and laboratories in language sciences. Access to strong research infrastructure is particularly important for my doctoral research, and the university provides the technical resources and environment necessary to conduct high-quality work. 

The research environment in linguistics is vibrant and well-connected. There are many research groups, potential collaborations, and academic directions within the department, which creates opportunities for interdisciplinary exchange and broader academic development. 

Living in Newcastle

Newcastle is a very good city to live in. It offers a friendly atmosphere, a reasonable cost of living, and a good quality of life, which I believe is important for maintaining balance and well-being during a PhD. 

The city is culturally rich. Despite not being as large as cities like London, Newcastle has a vibrant cultural scene — from theatres and museums to music, art, and local festivals. It has a strong sense of history and identity, which makes living here both interesting and inspiring. 

One of my favourite memories is playing badminton with friends at the university’s sports centre. That has been a very important part of my PhD journey. Doing sports regularly helps recharge my energy, clear my mind, and regain confidence when research feels challenging.  

Support and services available

There are several services that I use quite often which I found extremely useful.  

I found the Careers Service very accurate in the guidance it provides. They offer practical advice on CV writing, interviews, and career planning, as well as a wide range of workshops. These sessions helped me better understand different career pathways and prepare more confidently for future opportunities. 

IT Services are always fast, approachable, and efficient. Whenever I encountered technical issues, their support allowed me to quickly resolve problems and continue my work without major disruption, which is especially important during a PhD. 

I have participated in various research training workshops organised by the library and research teams. These workshops are professional and well-structured, covering topics such as research methods, academic writing, and data management. They not only enhanced my research skills but also provided opportunities to meet like-minded peers from different disciplines. 

What I enjoy most about my degree

I value the learning process itself. I enjoy acquiring new skills and applying them to solve complex problems. There is a strong sense of achievement and joy when abstract theories or methods become tools that I can actively use. That transformation—from learning to application—is very satisfying. 

In the future

I see myself pursuing an academic career after completing my PhD. I genuinely enjoy doing research and value the research culture in the UK, particularly the emphasis on critical thinking, collaboration, and intellectual independence.