Speaking June 25

Describe a person you disliked at first but ended up being friends with

Well, oddly enough, this person is my lab partner, Jason, whom I met at the start of our first-year research project. Initially, I guess I didn’t warm to him at all—he came across as really brusque and hyper-competitive, interrupting everyone in meetings just to get his own point across.

Come to think of it, it wasn’t until halfway through the semester that I saw a different side: during a late-night data crunch, he stayed behind to help me debug a stubborn code error instead of rushing home. Believe it or not, he spent hours walking me through each function, even though it meant missing his own dinner.

If I’m being honest, I realised that his “arrogant” style was really just his passion for precision and teamwork—he cared so much that he spoke up bluntly. From that moment, we started collaborating more smoothly, swapping feedback and dividing tasks based on our strengths.

At the end of the day, I feel grateful for that experience because it taught me not to judge someone by first impressions. Frankly speaking, Jason’s directness has pushed me to be more assertive, and I’m glad we went from friction to a solid friendship.

Well, oddly enough, this person is my lab partner, Jason, whom I met at the start of our first-year research project.
/wel ˈɒd.li ɪˈnʌf ðɪs ˈpɜː.sən ɪz maɪ læb ˈpɑːt.nə ˈdʒeɪ.sən huːm aɪ mɛt æt ðə stɑːt əv aʊə fɜːst jɪə rɪˈsɜːtʃ ˈprɒdʒɛkt/

Initially, I guess I didn’t warm to him at all—he came across as really brusque and hyper-competitive, interrupting everyone in meetings just to get his own point across.
/ɪˈnɪʃ.əli aɪ gɛs aɪ ˈdɪd.ənt wɔːm tuː hɪm æt ɔːl — hiː keɪm əˈkrɒs əz ˈrɪəli bruːsk ænd ˌhaɪ.pə kəmˈpɛt.ɪ.tɪv, ɪn.təˈrʌpt.ɪŋ ˈɛv.ri.wʌn ɪn ˈmiː.tɪŋz dʒʌst tuː gɛt hɪz əʊn pɔɪnt əˈkrɒs/

Come to think of it, it wasn’t until halfway through the semester that I saw a different side: during a late-night data crunch, he stayed behind to help me debug a stubborn code error instead of rushing home.
/kʌm tuː θɪŋk əv ɪt, ɪt ˈwɒz(ə)nt ənˈtɪl ˈhɑːfˌweɪ θruː ðə sɪˈmɛs.tə ðæt aɪ sɔː ə ˈdɪf.ər.ənt saɪd: ˈdjʊərɪŋ ə leɪt naɪt ˈdeɪ.tə krʌnʧ, hiː steɪd bɪˈhaɪnd tuː hɛlp miː ˌdiːˈbʌɡ ə ˈstʌb.ən kəʊd ˈɛr.ər ɪnˈstɛd əv ˈrʌʃ.ɪŋ həʊm/

Believe it or not, he spent hours walking me through each function, even though it meant missing his own dinner.
/bɪˈliːv ɪt ɔː nɒt, hiː spɛnt ˈaʊəz ˈwɔː.kɪŋ miː θruː iːʧ ˈfʌŋk.ʃən, ˈiː.vən ðəʊ ɪt mɛnt ˈmɪs.ɪŋ hɪz əʊn ˈdɪn.ər/

If I’m being honest, I realised that his “arrogant” style was really just his passion for precision and teamwork—he cared so much that he spoke up bluntly.
/ɪf aɪm ˈbiː.ɪŋ ˈɒn.ɪst, aɪ ˈriːə.laɪzd ðæt hɪz ˈær.ə.ɡənt staɪl wɒz ˈrɪəli dʒʌst hɪz ˈpæʃ.ən fə prɪˈsɪʒ.ən ænd ˈtiːm.wɜːk — hiː keəd səʊ mʌʧ ðæt hiː spəʊk ʌp ˈblʌnt.li/

From that moment, we started collaborating more smoothly, swapping feedback and dividing tasks based on our strengths.
/frɒm ðæt ˈməʊmənt, wiː ˈstɑː.tɪd kəˈlæb.ə.reɪ.tɪŋ mɔː ˈsmuːð.li, ˈswɒp.ɪŋ ˈfiːd.bæk ænd dɪˈvaɪ.dɪŋ tɑːsks beɪst ɒn aʊə ˈstrɛŋθs/

At the end of the day, I feel grateful for that experience because it taught me not to judge someone by first impressions.
/æt ði end əv ðə deɪ, aɪ fiːl ˈɡreɪtfəl fə ðæt ɪkˈspɪə.riəns bɪˈkɒz ɪt tɔːt miː nɒt tuː dʒʌdʒ ˈsʌm.wʌn baɪ fɜːst ɪmˈprɛʃ.ənz/

Frankly speaking, Jason’s directness has pushed me to be more assertive, and I’m glad we went from friction to a solid friendship.
/ˈfræŋk.li ˈspiːkɪŋ, ˈdʒeɪ.sənz dəˈrɛkt.nəs hæz pʊʃt miː tuː biː mɔːr əˈsɜː.tɪv, ænd aɪm ɡlæd wiː wɛnt frəm ˈfrɪk.ʃən tuː ə ˈsɒl.ɪd ˈfrɛn.dʃɪp/

part 3

What do you think of making friends online？

Well, I think making friends online can be a fantastic way to broaden your horizons. You know, platforms like language-exchange apps or international student forums let you connect with people from completely different backgrounds. Actually, I’ve chatted with fellow grad students in Europe and learned so much about their research culture and daily life. If I’m not mistaken, those online friendships have even inspired collaborative projects. At the end of the day, connecting digitally opens doors that a local campus alone can’t provide.

Well, I think making friends online can be a fantastic way to broaden your horizons.
/wel/ /aɪ/ /θɪŋk/ /ˈmeɪ.kɪŋ/ /frɛndz/ /ˈɒn.laɪn/ /kæn/ /biː/ /ə/ /fænˈtæs.tɪk/ /weɪ/ /tuː/ /ˈbrɔː.dən/ /jɔː/ /həˈraɪz(ə)nz/

You know, platforms like language-exchange apps or international student forums let you connect with people from completely different backgrounds.
/juː/ /nəʊ/, /ˈplæt.fɔːmz/ /laɪk/ /ˌlæŋ.ɡwɪdʒ ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒ/ /æps/ /ɔː/ /ˌɪn.təˈnæʃ.ə.nəl/ /ˈstjuː.dənt/ /ˈfɔː.rəmz/ /lɛt/ /juː/ /kəˈnɛkt/ /wɪð/ /ˈpiː.pəl/ /frəm/ /kəmˈpliːt.li/ /ˈdɪf.ər.ənt/ /ˈbæk.ɡraʊndz/

Actually, I’ve chatted with fellow grad students in Europe and learned so much about their research culture and daily life.
/ˈæk.tʃu.ə.li/, /aɪv/ /ˈtʃæt.ɪd/ /wɪð/ /ˈfɛl.əʊ/ /græd/ /ˈstjuː.dənts/ /ɪn/ /ˈjʊə.rəp/ /ænd/ /lɜːnd/ /səʊ/ /mʌʧ/ /əˈbaʊt/ /ðeə/ /rɪˈsɜːtʃ/ /ˈkʌl.tʃə/ /ænd/ /ˈdeɪ.li/ /laɪf/

If I’m not mistaken, those online friendships have even inspired collaborative projects.
/ɪf/ /aɪm/ /nɒt/ /mɪˈsteɪ.kən/, /ðəʊz/ /ˈɒn.laɪn/ /ˈfrɛnd.ʃɪps/ /hæv/ /ˈiː.vən/ /ɪnˈspaɪəd/ /kəˈlæb.ə.rə.tɪv/ /ˈprɒdʒ.ɛkts/

At the end of the day, connecting digitally opens doors that a local campus alone can’t provide.
/æt/ /ði/ /end/ /əv/ /ðə/ /deɪ/, /kəˈnɛk.tɪŋ/ /ˈdɪdʒ.ɪ.təli/ /ˈəʊ.pənz/ /dɔːz/ /ðæt/ /ə/ /ˈləʊ.kəl/ /ˈkæm.pəs/ /əˈləʊn/ /kɑːnt/ /prəˈvaɪd/

Is it a good idea to make friends who are much older than you？

Well, I’d say befriending someone much older can be really enriching. You know, they’ve lived through different eras and can share wisdom on careers, relationships, or even historical events you only read about. Oddly enough, I’ve learned more about practical life skills—like budgeting or networking—from an older cousin than from any textbook. To be honest, having that generational perspective broadens your own outlook and helps you avoid rookie mistakes.

Well, I’d say befriending someone much older can be really enriching.
/wel aɪd seɪ bɪˈfrɛndɪŋ ˈsʌmwʌn mʌtʃ ˈəʊldə kən biː ˈrɪəli ɪnˈrɪtʃɪŋ/

You know, they’ve lived through different eras and can share wisdom on careers, relationships, or even historical events you only read about.
/juː nəʊ, ðeɪv lɪvd θruː ˈdɪfrənt ˈɪərəz ænd kən ʃeə ˈwɪzdəm ɒn kəˈrɪəz rɪˈleɪʃənʃɪps ɔː ˈiːvən hɪˈstɒrɪkəl ɪˈvɛnts juː ˈəʊnli riːd əˈbaʊt/

Oddly enough, I’ve learned more about practical life skills—like budgeting or networking—from an older cousin than from any textbook.
/ˈɒdli ɪˈnʌf, aɪv lɜːnd mɔːr əˈbaʊt ˈpræktɪkəl laɪf skɪlz — laɪk ˈbʌdʒɪtɪŋ ɔː ˈnɛtwɜːkɪŋ — frɒm ən ˈəʊldə ˈkʌzən ðæn frɒm ˈɛni ˈtɛkstbʊk/

To be honest, having that generational perspective broadens your own outlook and helps you avoid rookie mistakes.
/tuː bi ˈɒnɪst, ˈhævɪŋ ðæt ˌdʒɛnəˈreɪʃənəl pəˈspɛktɪv ˈbrɔːdnz jɔː əʊn ˈaʊtlʊk ænd hɛlps juː əˈvɔɪd ˈrʊki mɪˈsteɪks/

Do you enjoy meeting new people？

Well, I mean, I genuinely enjoy meeting new people. Actually, striking up a chat with someone from a different background often leads to fresh ideas and unexpected opportunities. If I’m honest, those initial awkward moments—breaking the ice over a shared coffee or topic—can be energising. At the end of the day, expanding my network has helped me both academically and personally, so I look forward to those first encounters.

Well, I mean, I genuinely enjoy meeting new people.
/wel, aɪ miːn, aɪ ˈʤɛn.ju.ɪn.li ɪnˈʤɔɪ ˈmiː.tɪŋ njuː ˈpiː.pəl/

Actually, striking up a chat with someone from a different background often leads to fresh ideas and unexpected opportunities.
/ˈæk.tʃu.ə.li, ˈstraɪ.kɪŋ ʌp ə ʧæt wɪð ˈsʌm.wʌn frəm ə ˈdɪfərənt ˈbæk.ɡraʊnd ˈɒf.ən liːdz tə frɛʃ aɪˈdɪəz ænd ˌʌn.ɪkˈspɛk.tɪd ˌɒpəˈtjuː.nə.tiz/

If I’m honest, those initial awkward moments—breaking the ice over a shared coffee or topic—can be energising.
/ɪf aɪm ˈɒnɪst, ðəʊz ɪˈnɪʃ.əl ˈɔː.kwəd ˈməʊ.mənts — ˈbreɪ.kɪŋ ði aɪs ˈəʊ.və ə ʃeəd ˈkɒf.i ɔː ˈtɒp.ɪk — kæn biː ˈɛn.əʤaɪ.zɪŋ/

At the end of the day, expanding my network has helped me both academically and personally, so I look forward to those first encounters.
/æt ði end əv ðə deɪ, ɪkˈspæn.dɪŋ maɪ ˈnɛt.wɜːk hæz hɛlpt miː bəʊθ ˌæk.əˈdɛm.ɪ.kəl.i ænd ˈpɜː.sə.nəl.i, səʊ aɪ lʊk ˈfɔː.wəd tə ðəʊz fɜːst ɪnˈkaʊn.təz/

Do you think friendship is important？

Honestly, friendships play a huge role in personal development. Believe it or not, close friends often challenge your assumptions and introduce you to new ideas, which helps you grow intellectually and morally. Come to think of it, friends can hold up a mirror—pointing out blind spots in your behaviour or encouraging you to pursue ambitious goals. Frankly speaking, that kind of constructive feedback is hard to come by elsewhere.

Honestly, friendships play a huge role in personal development.
/ˈɒn.ɪst.li/, /ˈfrɛnd.ʃɪps/ /pleɪ/ /ə/ /hjuːdʒ/ /rəʊl/ /ɪn/ /ˈpɜː.sən.əl/ /dɪˈvɛl.əp.mənt/

Believe it or not, close friends often challenge your assumptions and introduce you to new ideas, which helps you grow intellectually and morally.
/bɪˈliːv/ /ɪt/ /ɔː/ /nɒt/, /kləʊs/ /frɛndz/ /ˈɒf.ən/ /ˈtʃæl.ɪnʤ/ /jɔː/ /əˈsʌmp.ʃənz/ /ænd/ /ˌɪn.trəˈdjuːs/ /juː/ /tuː/ /njuː/ /aɪˈdɪəz/, /wɪtʃ/ /hɛlps/ /juː/ /ɡrəʊ/ /ˌɪn.təˈlɛk.tʃu.ə.li/ /ænd/ /ˈmɒr.əli/

Come to think of it, friends can hold up a mirror—pointing out blind spots in your behaviour or encouraging you to pursue ambitious goals.
/kʌm/ /tuː/ /θɪŋk/ /ɒv/ /ɪt/, /frɛndz/ /kæn/ /həʊld/ /ʌp/ /ə/ /ˈmɪr.ə/ — /ˈpɔɪn.tɪŋ/ /aʊt/ /blaɪnd/ /spɒts/ /ɪn/ /jɔː/ /bɪˈheɪ.vjər/ /ɔː/ /ɪnˈkʌr.ɪdʒ.ɪŋ/ /juː/ /tuː/ /pəˈsjuː/ /æmˈbɪʃ.əs/ /ɡəʊlz/

Frankly speaking, that kind of constructive feedback is hard to come by elsewhere.
/ˈfræŋk.li ˈspiː.kɪŋ/, /ðæt/ /kaɪnd/ /ɒv/ /kənˈstrʌk.tɪv/ /ˈfiːd.bæk/ /ɪz/ /hɑːd/ /tuː/ /kʌm/ /baɪ/ /ˈɛl.sweə/

Why is it difficult for some people to make friends with others？

Actually, introverted personalities often find making friends challenging. Come to think of it, they tend to recharge by spending time alone rather than mixing in groups, so they might skip social gatherings altogether. Surprisingly, it’s not that they’re unfriendly—more like they need more time to open up, which can look like aloofness to extroverted peers.

Actually, introverted personalities often find making friends challenging.
/ˈæk.tʃu.ə.li/ /ˈɪn.trə.vɜː.tɪd/ /ˌpɜː.səˈnæl.ə.tiz/ /ˈɒf.ən/ /faɪnd/ /ˈmeɪ.kɪŋ/ /frɛndz/ /ˈtʃæl.ɪn.dʒɪŋ/

Come to think of it, they tend to recharge by spending time alone rather than mixing in groups, so they might skip social gatherings altogether.
/ˈkʌm/ /tuː/ /θɪŋk/ /ɒv/ /ɪt/, /ðeɪ/ /tɛnd/ /tuː/ /rɪˈtʃɑːdʒ/ /baɪ/ /ˈspɛn.dɪŋ/ /taɪm/ /əˈləʊn/ /ˈrɑː.ðə/ /ðæn/ /ˈmɪk.sɪŋ/ /ɪn/ /ɡruːps/, /səʊ/ /ðeɪ/ /maɪt/ /skɪp/ /ˈsəʊ.ʃəl/ /ˈɡæð.ər.ɪŋz/ /ˌɔːl.təˈɡɛð.ə/

Surprisingly, it’s not that they’re unfriendly—more like they need more time to open up, which can look like aloofness to extroverted peers.
/səˈpraɪ.zɪŋ.li/, /ɪts/ /nɒt/ /ðæt/ /ðeə/ /ɑː/ /ʌnˈfrɛnd.li/ — /mɔː/ /laɪk/ /ðeɪ/ /niːd/ /mɔː/ /taɪm/ /tuː/ /ˈəʊ.pən/ /ʌp/, /wɪtʃ/ /kæn/ /lʊk/ /laɪk/ /əˈluːfnəs/ /tuː/ ˈekstrəvɜːtɪd/ /pɪəz/

Do we benefit from having friends with different personalities？

Well, you know, having friends with different personalities really pushes you to see things from new angles. Actually, when someone thinks in a way that’s opposite to yours—say a spontaneous friend versus a planner—it challenges your assumptions and boosts cognitive flexibility. If I’m not mistaken, exposure to varied viewpoints helps you become more adaptable when facing unexpected situations. At the end of the day, that mental stretch makes you more creative and open-minded in both studies and life.

Well, you know, having friends with different personalities really pushes you to see things from new angles.
/wel juː nəʊ ˈhævɪŋ frɛndz wɪð ˈdɪfərənt ˌpɜːsəˈnælɪtiz ˈrɪəli ˈpʊʃɪz juː tə siː θɪŋz frɒm njuː ˈæŋɡəlz/

Actually, when someone thinks in a way that’s opposite to yours—say a spontaneous friend versus a planner—it challenges your assumptions and boosts cognitive flexibility.
/ˈæktʃuəli wen ˈsʌmwʌn θɪŋks ɪn ə weɪ ðæts ˈɒpəzɪt tə jɔːz — seɪ ə spɒnˈteɪniəs frɛnd ˈvɜːsəs ə ˈplænə — ɪt ˈtʃælɪn(d)ʒɪz jɔːə əˈsʌmpʃənz ænd buːsts ˈkɒɡnətɪv ˌflɛksəˈbɪlɪti/

If I’m not mistaken, exposure to varied viewpoints helps you become more adaptable when facing unexpected situations.
/ɪf aɪm nɒt mɪˈsteɪkən ɪkˈspəʊʒə tə ˈvɛərɪd ˈvjuːpɔɪnts hɛlps juː bɪˈkʌm mɔː əˈdæptəbl wen ˈfeɪsɪŋ ˌʌnɪkˈspɛktɪd ˌsɪtjʊˈeɪʃənz/

At the end of the day, that mental stretch makes you more creative and open-minded in both studies and life.
/æt ði end ɒv ðə deɪ ðæt ˈmɛntəl strɛtʃ meɪks juː mɔː kriːˈeɪtɪv ænd ˈəʊpənˌmaɪndɪd ɪn bəʊθ ˈstʌdiz ænd laɪf/