From Counterstrike to Computer Science
On the 14th of April 2022, during our most recent period of online learning, we had the pleasure of a video interview with Bryan C, a year 13 student at Dulwich International High School Suzhou, who has recently received an offer to study Computer Science at the University of California, Santa Barbara in America, and the University of Glasgow in the UK, and an offer to study computer science artificial intelligence at Imperial College London.
Imperial College London (legally Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine) is a public research university in London. The college focuses exclusively on science, technology, medicine, and business. It ranks No. 7 in the 2022 QS World University Rankings.
The University of California, Santa Barbara (also known as both UC Santa Barbara and UCSB) is a public land-grant research university in Santa Barbara-Isla Vista, California, with 23,196 undergraduates and 2,983 graduate students enrolled in 2021-2022.Tracing its roots back to 1891 as an independent teachers' college, UCSB joined the University of California system in 1944, and is the third-oldest undergraduate campus in the system, after UC Berkeley and UCLA.
The University of Glasgow is a public research university in Glasgow, Scotland. Founded by papal bull in 1451, it is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Along with the universities of Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and St Andrews, the university was part of the Scottish Enlightenment during the 18th century.
How Video Games Influenced Bryan’s Choice of Major
Bryan attributes the growth of his passion for computer science to his lifelong love of computer games.
“I started playing video games when I was just two or three years old. I’ve tried all sorts of video games and I love them all. I like Counter Strike and League of Legends; these games are very famous, and they all have mobile versions.”
Counterstrike (frequently abbreviated by players to CS) is a multiplayer first-person shooter video game. The series began on Windows in 1999. It was initially released as a modification for the Valve game Half-Life.
League of Legends (frequently abbreviated by players to LOL) In the game, two teams of five players battle in player versus player combat, each team occupying and defending their half of the map. Each of the ten players controls a character, known as a "champion", with unique abilities and differing styles of play.
Bryan, aware of the addictive nature of video games, explained that after starting at Dulwich International High School Suzhou, he didn’t play them that often, or at least, as often as he would like to, due to the increased pressure of schoolwork.
However, it’s not uncommon for video games to provide the spark for an interest in computer science, since the two fields are directly related. Gamers often develop an interest in how games work and have a heightened understanding of how artificial intelligence algorithms operate. PC gamers often end up as expert computer engineers, as they seek to upgrade various components of their PCs, to squeeze the best possible performance from them. So, video games do clearly have some surprising benefits, that may not be immediately obvious to non-gamers.
How did you choose the University to which you have applied?
Bryan explained that he specifically wanted to study at an American university for two main reasons. Firstly, he has a genuine love of American culture and all things American. Secondly his other major passion in life (in addition to video games) is Basketball. Bryan is captain of the Dulwich International High School Suzhou Basketball Team.
"You know Americans play basketball a lot. The MBA is there, and there are all kinds of sports teams going around and people are playing competitive basketball. I'm a captain of the school basketball team, so I really want to go too. "
The Importance of Developing Language Skills
Since the goal of all students at Dulwich International Suzhou is to study at top international universities, it is important to acknowledge that one of the single most important factors that predicate their success when they get there, is their English-speaking ability.
Bryan has particularly good English language skills, I we were keen to find out how Bryan had developed them. Interestingly he claims that he doesn’t read much. However, he does like to talk, and attributes his success in improving his English to practising and producing language. He finds the English only environment at Dulwich provides him boundless opportunities to talk to teachers in English. He also watches a lot of streaming video and movies in English.
"Just try talking to your teachers. Try talking English. I watch English YouTube videos. I like online lectures on YouTube about computer science, and I watch NBA games online with an English commentary."
How do you think life at Dulwich has helped you become a better applicant?
One of the things that Bryan values most about life at Dulwich is the structure it gives him, while allowing him to pursue his sporting passions:
"I think the most crucial aspect about Dulwich life is that it offers thoroughly balanced life, with time for study and social life and sports life, ensuring we have enough time for sleep. That's a vitally important thing. I like that there is always time for sports and CCA’s that give you chance to develop your language skills, your conversation skills, your leadership skills, and self-confidence, and on the other hand you also have time for studying. The best aspect of it all, is that you can manage your own time."
How did the Conselling department support you?
Bryan’s university counsellor is Serena Shi. Bryan only had positive things to say about the help that Serena had offered him with his application.
"She is so supportive. She's the best. She helped me with filling in all the information for UCAS and applications on websites. I had no idea how to fill in all this nonsense information without her. She also keeps me updated about upcoming events and resources and the deadlines I must meet. She's just so, so helpful!"
What hobbies and Interests do you have?
Bryan told us that, as well as his love of computer games, sport is his real passion. Achieving the level of sporting success that Bryan has reached takes practice, effort, and time. He told us that in addition to his love of basketball, he is also developing a real interest in both American football in the USA and Rugby in the UK.
Depending on whether he attends university in the UK or America, Bryan will follow and participate in one or the other of these high impact contact sports.
Favourite Movie
Bryan explained that his favourite movie is the Matrix. Bryan loves the style and aesthetics of the film. At the time of release in 1999, it’s easy to forget just how ground-breaking this movie was in terms of special effects. It introduced the world to gun fights in “bullet time”, where shootouts become almost balletic in the fluidity of slow-motion movement.
The Matrix is a science fiction thriller, first released in 1999, that depicts a dystopian future in which humanity is unknowingly trapped inside a simulated reality, the Matrix, which intelligent machines have created to distract humans, while using their bodies as an energy source.
What advice do you have for younger students at Dulwich?
Bryan’s advice to younger students was punchy, impactful and on point!
"Seize the Day! Yeah, and try to have more fun during the studying process! Try being a little more confident at the beginning. Try to express yourself more and try to communicate with others, as they are kind and nice. Don't think of teachers as monsters that you don’t want to encounter. Talk to them!"
It was a genuine pleasure talking to such a confident and upbeat young man, full of energy and enthusiasm. We wish Bryan every success for the future.