Yan Xiaoqian (Oriel, 2008 - )

My name is Yan Xiaoqian, a very lucky girl, who has been selected as a Paterson Scholar in 2008. I was born in Nanjing, a city famous for its beautiful phoenix tree and salty duck.

When I was at CUPL, I was interested in common law. As we know, common law is quite different from civil law. It is more flexible and complex. Whilst depending on logical reasoning, greater emphasis is placed on experience. I can still remember the first common law case I read but any essay I read before that case does not compare with it. Since that time, I began to learn something by myself about common law. But the learning process is not systemic. Luckily, I have been given the opportunity to study common law in Oxford, thanks to the generous help of the Paterson Trust. I am really grateful to the David and Jayne Paterson Educational Trust for their kindness.

At the first formal hall dinner in Oxford, Mr Tur, a lovely gentleman, also, my law tutor, explained to me the challenge I face at Oxford. We also talked a little bit about China. What he said impressed me significantly: China will be a leading country in the 21st century and new generations in China must take the responsibility to make China know the world better and help the world know more about China. At this time, we have a long way to go.

England is the origin of common law . Furthermore Oxford is the leading law university ¡V surely no-one will deny this. Professors, libraries and classmates are the best of the world. I meet people from all over the world. Now I begin to know more about the world, just as Mr Tur has told me. You must try your utmost to see how far you can go in Oxford. Maybe you will surprise yourself, finding that you can activate all your full potential. (Although it sounds like a piece of advertisement, Oxford is the place which will never disappoint you!)

Today, the sunshine in Oxford is beautiful. I wander along the Thames, enjoying the blue sky and the green grass watching the rowing guys on the river. I wonder if I am in the real world as I sit on the banks of the river. The scenery here is fascinating, beyond my imagination. Apart from the Thames, you can enjoy the historical buildings and there are many old stories about them. So intensive work is just a part of Oxford and there are so many other enchanting things to see and do.

Before I started my essay, I took a glance at the essays written by previous Paterson scholars, and then I realized that nine years have passed since the establishment of the Trust. Many students from CUPL have benefitted from the generosity of the Trust. It is not an exaggeration to say the Trust has changed my whole life. But for the Trust, I could almost anticipate my future after graduating from CUPL. But now, I can explore many different lifestyles with the assistance of the great Trust. I love the feeling of the many possibilities which have been opened up for me. Possibilities make our life more exciting.

October 2008