As a student, I have had the privilege of learning from many talented and knowledgeable professors. However, there is one professor who stands out as someone who has truly made a difference in my life: Timothy Kerswell, a former professor at the University of Macau. As a political scientist, he has had a profound impact on me both academically and personally, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from him.
Academically, Prof. Kerswell is an excellent teacher. His lectures are engaging, informative, and thought-provoking. Despite his political theory lectures being challenging at times, he has a way of explaining complex ideas to us who are mostly non-native speakers. Thanks to him, I have gained a deep understanding of the subject matter and have developed a love for the topic, leading me to change my major from electronic engineering to international relations.
To me, Prof. Kerswell’s impact on me goes beyond just academics. He has also been a mentor and a friend. We used to hang out in bars before I graduated. He has encouraged me to pursue my passions and even suggested once that he would give me his trombone when I told him that I was going to learn the instrument. We have a lot of hobbies in common, academics, music, news, and online games.
Prof. Kerswell has inspired me to pursue my passions in a number of ways. One of the most significant ways he has done is by encouraging me to think critically and creatively about the subjects that interest me. If not for him, I would still be blindly following trends on social media and my peers’ thoughts. His sharp analysis of current affairs opened my eyes and taught me how to perceive things critically and logically.
In addition, Prof. Kerswell has provided me with opportunities to pursue my passions outside of the classroom. For example, he has invited me to attend academic conferences and participate in research projects that align with my interests. He became my supervisor for my final year thesis in 2018, and his guidance has allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the topics that interest me and have helped me develop valuable skills that will be useful in my future academic and professional pursuits.
Despite having had different paths for quite a few years, with him leaving the University of Macau and me going to Malaysia to study, he still constantly provided me with guidance and feedback on my academic work. He reviewed my essays and research papers and provided me with constructive criticism and suggestions for improvement even when he was no longer my supervisor.
Overall, Prof. Kerswell’s mentorship has been invaluable in helping me to develop the skills that I have been using every day in my job and Ph.D. studies. His guidance, feedback, and opportunities have allowed me to grow academically and professionally, and I am very grateful for his impact on my development.
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