University Of Saint Joseph

Choosing a Major and Finding His Path at USJ Macao Being supported by a scholarship, Jack initially planned to come to Macao to pursue his studies. Prior to enrolling at USJ, he was studying Law at a university in Europe. “When exploring the various programmes offered by USJ, I considered my inclination towards helping people and my future career aspirations. I realized that combining law with psychology could create an unexpected and valuable combination. That’s why I chose this path,” he explained. Jack highlights that in Guinea-Bissau, individuals encounter diverse challenges, including emotional issues influenced by traditional factors and other circumstances. He aspires to seek scientific solutions and provide assistance to those in need. From Apprehension to Familiarity “When I left Bissau and came here, I was worried about my faith,” he recalled. As a member of the choir, Jack was passionate about contributing to the church in his hometown. “Arriving in Macao and experiencing a new environment, I was unsure if things would be the same. However, when I arrived at USJ, they showed me the chapel on campus, and the Residential Hall (RH) was located near it. This allowed me to pray everyday with ease.” Jack felt amazed and embraced by the Catholic community at USJ.

“I think USJ is so underrated in its ability to expand your worldview.” Dr. Norman Biliwang Mendoza, currently a Postdoctoral Fellow at The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK), embarked on a transformative educational journey as a graduate of the Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy (MCP) programme at the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) in Macao in the Academic Year 2013/2014. Reflecting on his memorable experience, he now shares the reasons behind the decision to study at USJ and how it has shaped his career development and personal growth. A Path to USJ, Macao Driven by the support of his family and influenced by his relatives based in Macao, Dr. Norman made the courageous choice to pursue further studies abroad. Despite having a part-time teaching position in the Philippines after completing his Bachelor’s degree and receiving an offer for a full-time position, he was determined to continue his education in Macao. His primary motivation for choosing USJ was the interesting curriculum of the MCP programme. The programme offered a diverse range of subjects, including counselling and therapeutic alliance, addiction counselling, and family and marriage counselling. Eager to deepen his knowledge in the field of psychology, he saw USJ as the ideal institution to strengthen his knowledge in the field. He was also amazed by the international community in USJ, which ultimately made the decision to enroll even more compelling. Valuable and Impactful Learning Experiences and Inspirational Professors During his two years in the MCP programme, Dr. Norman not only acquired knowledge but also gained invaluable skills which are applicable to both his professional and personal life. He highlighted the practical strategies, concepts, and interpersonal skills he learned at USJ, emphasising their significance in dealing with people within and beyond the workplace. The academic life at USJ provided him with a holistic learning experience. In 2018, Dr. Norman co-founded “LifeRisksPH, a non-profit youth organization in the Philippines, which is focused on youth well-being and mental health, specifically in destigmatization of mental health and suicide prevention. The organization currently have a following of over 25,000 community members in the Philippines, and overseas, and has reached over 20,000 youth, since its founding. Norman attributes his knowledge on well-being and mental health to his studies in USJ. Dr. Norman expresses his deep appreciation for the exceptional professors at USJ who have made a significant impact on his life, especially Prof. Imelu G. Mordeno, then head of the MCP programme, and Prof. Miranda Mak. In Prof. Mordeno’s classes, he participated in engaging counselling role-play exercises. He recalls the time when they were role-playing a situation from cognitive behavioral therapy and every student was immersed in and intrigued by it, treating it like a real-life scenario. These experiences profoundly transformed them and truly enhanced their counselling skills, training them to become better counsellors. Prof. Mak, who was Dr. Norman’s first professor at USJ, not only taught with professionalism but also provided unwavering support and encouragement. Dr. Norman once shared his graduate student testimonial in 2014, “The MCP programme did not only further my knowledge in Psychology, it also gave me the skills necessary to become a good counsellor and a therapist.”.