Degree
Bachelor of Laws (Honours) – Durham University, UK
Master of Laws – University College London, UK
PhD – Durham University, UK
Current occupation
Lecturer in Law – University of Huddersfield, UK
Kurnai College gave me the confidence to step into a new country and pursue my dreams. The support I received from teachers and classmates built the foundation for everything I’ve achieved since.
- Yuxin - Kurnai College Alumna
When Yuxin first arrived from Dalian, China, to begin Year 10 at Kurnai College in 2014, she faced the challenge of adapting to a completely new culture and education system. With the encouragement of her teachers and the friendships she built, she quickly grew in confidence, finding Kurnai to be a place where she could thrive both academically and personally.
Her years at Kurnai also nurtured in her an appreciation for life outside of the big cities. The space, the fresh air, and the sense of community she found in the Latrobe Valley countryside stayed with her long after she graduated. This experience later shaped her academic journey: after completing her master’s degree in London, she felt drawn back to the quieter, more grounded environment of Durham. Eventually, she chose to begin her academic career in Huddersfield, another regional city, where she could balance professional ambition with the lifestyle she first came to love at Kurnai.
After completing her VCE in 2016, Yuxin moved to the UK to study Law at Durham University, where she graduated with honours in 2020. She then undertook a Master of Laws at University College London, gaining experience as a deputy editor-in-chief for the China America Law Review and publishing her work on international legal issues.
In 2022, she returned to Durham to begin her PhD in Medical Law, exploring how Chinese and UK law regulate assisted reproductive technologies. Alongside her research, Yuxin taught undergraduate law modules, mentored students, and took on leadership roles within the university, further developing her academic career.
In 2025, Yuxin achieved her goal of becoming a university lecturer, joining the University of Huddersfield as a Lecturer in Law. Her journey from Kurnai College student to legal academic demonstrates the power of resilience, curiosity, and community support in shaping future success.
Outside of her studies and work, Yuxin has remained committed to fostering international understanding. She often reflects on her time at Kurnai as the place that gave her not just an education, but also the courage to pursue opportunities across the globe.
Now, as she teaches the next generation of law students, Yuxin continues to embody the values of determination and global citizenship that began in the classrooms of Kurnai College.
