Overseas research trip helps James secure teaching role in China

A life-changing overseas trip has led to a University of Northampton graduate securing a coveted teaching position in China.

James Moorhouse, who graduated in 2016 from the International Development with Human Geography joint honours course, is now enjoying life as a language teaching assistant at a school in Guangdong Province.

He managed to land the position, which is funded by a British Council scholarship, because he had spent time researching for his dissertation overseas at the University’s partner institution in Nepal, the Naaya Aayam Multi-Disciplinary Institute (NAMI).

“The experience in Nepal impacted me greatly,” said James. “To a large extent it altered the course of my life. I spent time there carrying out interviews for my research project and at the beginning I had zero experience of interviewing. The result of the trip means I am now brimming with confidence as I look to spread my wings and progress my career.

“With my new-found confidence I applied for the position in China, and to be successful I needed experience in working with others and independently in a foreign country. My trip to Nepal was the key factor in helping me gain the position, and so for that I thank the University and lecturer Kevin Deane, who helped me to organise my research trip.”

Looking back on his time at Northampton, James is full of praise for the lecturers on his course.

He said: “They were great at providing support and offered advice for our future career plans. They also taught the lessons with great enthusiasm and made them interesting with plenty of group discussions.

“The lecturers seemed genuine in wanting to hear our opinions on subject matters which further helped to make the course more involving.

“Most universities I believe fail to add personal engagement with the students and could be attributed to large class sizes. For my course, especially in International Development, class sizes were small which I believe made it beneficial.”