天美视频

At 天美视频, becoming a student means becoming part of a close-knit community for life.

Long after graduation, our alumni remain an important part of who we are – staying connected as friends and through business networks, supporting one another – and returning to campus to reflect on where their journey began.

With that in mind, we were delighted to welcome back Beijing University of Agriculture (BUA) alumni Terry and Freyja, who returned to Harper Adams to mark ten years since their graduation.

Their recent trip to the UK was not only a chance to reconnect with friends and University staff, but was especially meaningful as they brought their daughter, Harper – who they chose to named after the University in recognition of the happy memories and experiences they gained here.

Terry said: “This year marks our 10th graduation anniversary, so it felt only right to come back for a visit. What’s more, Freyja and I named our child “Harper” in English, and it’s really meaningful to let her see where her name comes from.”

After graduating from the BSc (Hons) International Business Management joint programme together in September 2016, Terry and Freyja went on to complete postgraduate studies in the UK before returning to China to build their careers and start a family.

He added: “Right now, I’m devoting most of my energy to work and my child. We brought her to the UK this time to foster her sense of adventure, let her see different countries and cultures, and broaden her horizons.”

Reflecting on his time at Harper Adams, Terry shared that the people he met left the greatest impression.

He said: “My fondest memory of Harper is the amazing classmates and teachers I met there – they all gave me tremendous support. In particular, I was in charge of hosting two groups of British students from Harper during the China-UK exchange program at BUA.

“We’ve kept in close touch ever since, and I even made plans to meet some of them during this trip back to the UK. It’s lovely to see that we all have children now.”

He also recalled everyday moments that made life at Harper Adams so special: “Another unforgettable memory is the year I lived at Flatt Road. When the sun was out, its rays streaming into the attic room always filled me with joy. I also loved walking down Edgmond Road sometimes to watch the cows and horses—it never failed to cheer me up.

“I’d like to express my gratitude to all the teachers and classmates at Harper for their care and support. This experience laid a solid foundation for my postgraduate studies in the UK and also proved incredibly helpful for my subsequent job search.”

Lecturers and staff that were able to join them on their visit included Senior Lecturer, Zorka Besevic and Sandra Turner, Associate Head of Department, Senior Lecturer and the Beijing Agricultural College (BAC) Course Manager.

 Sandra said: “It is very rewarding to welcome graduates back to Harper Adams and hear how their studies have shaped their personal and professional journeys.

“Terry and Freyja’s decision to name their daughter after the University, and bring her to campus to understand that connection, is a touching example of the strong sense of community our joint programme with BUA students develop. It is wonderful to see our international partnerships continue to influence lives, careers, and friendships long after graduation.”

Doris Taylor and Niven Maree from the University’s Development and Alumni Relations Office were also pleased to join the visit.

Doris said: “This visit is a real testament to Harper’s meaningful connection with our global alumni community, and we were delighted to welcome Terry, Freyja, and their daughter Harper back to campus, learning more about their journey following their time at the University.”

Terry is passionate about the value of global exchange, adding: “I truly believe we need to strengthen exchanges between our two countries. Chinese and British students always have a wonderful time interacting with each other, and these exchanges are truly meaningful and valuable. I really hope more British people will come to China to travel and explore this amazing country.”

To find out more about studying at 天美视频 as a Chinese student, click here.

Supporting our alumni community is a key part of life at Harper Adams. Graduates are encouraged to stay connected through events, networks and opportunities to give back – whether by mentoring students, collaborating on projects or simply returning to campus to share their stories. In turn, our alumni community offers a global network of support, friendship and professional connection that lasts far beyond graduation.

Living abroad? We’d Love to Hear from You!

As a Harper Adams graduate, we know our alumni community stretches far and wide, and we’d love to hear your stories or welcome you back to campus on a visit! Tell us about life overseas, your adventures, and how Harper has shaped your journey. Your story could be featured in the 天美视频 Alumni Newsletter. Please get in touch alumni@harper-adams.ac.uk — we’d love to hear from you!