Lei Yang defends her PhD titled: ‘Health Communication Research Among the Chinese Hui Ethnic Minority Group in Shenyang City’. In this interview, Rashid Gabdulhakov talks with Lei about her journey and life after the defense (yes, it exists!).
Rashid: Lei, you have recently completed your PhD and received the title of a Doctor that we all strive for. Congratulations! Could you share with us, what the PhD journey was like for you?
Lei: Good things take time, and completing a PhD was a big challenge. One word to describe my PhD journey: colorful. For me, the PhD journey was full of surprises, opportunities, challenges, joy, difficulties, support, encouragement and growth. I am grateful that I can have the opportunity to do my PhD at Erasmus University Rotterdam and meet many wonderful people in the Netherlands.
Rashid: Wow, great to hear! “Colorful” is a beautiful way to describe it! And what about the important moment right before you were assigned the title? What was it like to bring all these experiences to a culmination in defense?
Lei: After four years of study, I defended my PhD thesis on 12 December 2019. The defense went very well, and I enjoyed it, and so did my family, friends and colleagues. My wonderful supervisors, Prof. Dr. Jansz and Dr. Mao, supported me with their guidance and encouragement. With such a support, I was able to finish my book on time and defend my PhD in 2019. I am thankful to my great paranymphs, Anne and Roel, for their efforts in the defense ceremony. Their friendship and company made me feel very relaxed during the official ceremony. I am also grateful to the committee members and all the friends and colleagues who attended my PhD defense ceremony. It was great to see them support me. Special thanks go to my parents who support, encourage and love me all the time. I was extremely happy that they were at my defense ceremony and that we could celebrate this special day together.
Rashid: Wow, that sounds incredible! You are lucky to have to so many wonderful people around you, Lei! My final question, what do you do now that you are a doctor?
After a trip to South Europe, I am back to Rotterdam now. Lately, I am busy with publishing two chapters of my dissertation. Hopefully they can be accepted or published in a year. Meanwhile, I am figuring out what I really want to do in my life. Life is full of surprises. I like a saying “ You never know what you can do till you try.”
Rashid: Best of luck with these wonderful plans, Lei! We are all very proud of you!
