• Jessica Liou
• EMA, Class of 2016

1. What was your thesis title?

The title of my thesis is “Life is an Opera: Self-reflexivity and Confession in Dom Casmurro.” I had my defense in January 2016.

2. What’s your favorite thing about the program at NTUT?

When I first started in our program, I thought I should choose the linguistic track because it seemed more related to what I planned to do with my research. However, after one semester of learning and exploring, I realized that literature is where my heart is. One great thing about our program is that we don’t have to choose our research track before we start learning. We have the chance to explore our own interests and to find out our true passion. The school understands the situation and all of my teachers were willing to help me with my deficiency in research methods.

3. What did you learn from writing your thesis?

Writing a thesis sounds really terrifying. No one says it is easy. It is a long journey. I learned a great deal while writing my thesis. In the end, however, writing the thesis wasn’t only schoolwork that I needed to do to get a degree; it taught me important life lessons.

Thesis writing is a marathon, not a sprint, as I told myself during those days working on my thesis. One has to be both physically and mentally prepared for long-term hard work. During my time working with my thesis, I often felt blocked and frustrated, and then I was thrilled by the satisfaction whenever I broke through the blocks. The circle went on and on until I finally finished my work. The experience is something that changed me profoundly. I am more confident in myself than ever. I started to believe that there is nothing that cannot be conquered if I really set my mind to it. One runs a marathon one step at a time; therefore, one writes her/his thesis one word at a time. It is formed gradually and it is not something can be rushed. What seems difficult today may be just a warm-up for a week later. There is no shortcut to thesis writing. Only hardworking and persistence can lead to the very end. Therefore, for those who are now entering our program, or still in the process of struggling, please remember that one day, you will look back at these days with gratitude and reminiscence, thinking, “This is me. I have accomplished a tough job.” Then, you will understand that you never know what you are capable of until you actually do it. You will be proud of yourself.

Oh, and, yes, I have learned a lot about encouraging people, too.

4. What have you learned from other students at NTUT?

I made several good friends here while I studied at NTUT. My friends are my great assets. We help each other through difficulties. They are great listeners, and also they offer me professional opinions whenever I need them. One thing that my fellow classmates have in common is excellent time management. I realize that every evening program student has a crazy schedule, and they are all occupied by their work, family, and studying. I admire all of them. They are excellent in being able to thrive at multiple levels.

5. How has the program helped you advance toward your career goals?

Our program helped me realized that I can help more students if I change the subject I teach from English to reading. Most of the teachers in the school that I work at always complain about how passive and unwilling our students are. Our next generation is not happy about school and studying. During my days in NTUT, I learned the power and importance of literature. I think literature has the ultimate answer for humankind. I may be too naïve, but I honestly think that reading can help my students. If my students can love the books and stories as much as I do, they would be happy about school. If they can understand the enchantment of a library, they will understand that there is a great deal in the world for them to explore. My days in NTUT helped me realize that the key to my students’ success does not lie in learning simple English but in gaining literacy proficiency, Chinese literacy proficiency. Therefore, I wrote a proposal to the city council to get funds from the government, and I will be in charge of our school library from the next school year. Besides, I changed the subject I teach from English to Chinese reading in the hope of helping more students. I am sure of the power of books and that is what I learned from NTUT.