HOMETOWN: Beijing, P.R. China

GRADUATION YEAR: 2002

MAJOR: Computer Science and Economics with a concentration in Management

HOW I FIRST HEARD ABOUT WELLS: I found Wells on the Internet.

WHY I CHOSE TO ATTEND WELLS: Because it felt like it was the right decision to make ? (sixth sense)

ADJUSTING TO WELLS AS AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT
I was unlike most people whose greatest challenge was adjusting to the new living environment, my biggest difficulty was the English language – I couldn’t understand it very well at the beginning and I only understood a small portion of what was said in class.  At that time, professors, classmates, housemates, and my roommate offered me great help – they taught me word-by-word and day-by-day.  Especially in the first two semesters I was at Wells, there was not a day that passed by that I didn’t learn something from people surrounding me.  I felt very fortunate to be at Wells, where I found a very supportive group and an understanding environment, which I wouldn’t have found elsewhere.

THE COMMUNITY
I felt Wells had a very supportive, encouraging, and friendly community in general.  I made friends with the faculty, staff members, professors, and community members in general.  At Wells, everyone gets to know the President, the Deans of the college, department chairs and so on.  This is especially true when our first alumna President, Lisa Marsh Ryerson, called me by name the first semester I was at Wells.  All these things here at Wells made me feel special about being part of the community.

ACADEMICS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Wells is a small, liberal arts college where I was able to explore throughout my college career various fields upon my will and at the same time have a specific focus.  I was a double major in economics and computer science, and I had great support from professors in both areas and I worked on a project that combined two areas, which gave me good hands-on experiences.

Professors at Wells are very close to students.  The students  get personal attention and they are known to professors as individuals, instead of simply names on the grade book.  They were always willing to help us in any way, academically or with some personal issues.  We were able to meet with professors directly during their office hours or we could set up individual appointments.  When I first came to Wells, professors understood that I had difficulties with the English language and they gave me special attention and extension if needed.

WHAT I WAS INVOLVED IN ON CAMPUS:

- CLUBS:

• Wells International Student Association (WISA), President
• Wells Collegiate Association (student government), Treasurer
• Wells Traditions Committee, Chair

• Fleet Bank, Boston, MA. Web developer.
• Girls Outdoor Adventure for Leadership (GOAL), Atlanta, GA. Website designer and camp counselor.
• Raynor Pharmacy, MacClenny, FL.  Bookkeeping assistant/Informational specialist. 
• Beijing Hitop Security Systems, Beijing, China.  Sales department assistance.

CAMPUS SAFETY
Wells is an extremely safe place to stay.  Students usually leave their doors unlocked, we leave our personal belongings in the library at our study carrels, and I never felt scared walking around campus late at night, although one could always get an escort from campus security, if you preferred.  In addition, a large portion of the residents who live in Aurora-the town Wells is located, currently work or have worked at Wells as professors, faculty, or staff.  Therefore, Wells is safe even in a bigger scale.

TRANSPORTATION (GETTING TO WELLS)
It was fairly easy to get to Wells when I first came.  I was picked up directly from inside the airport, and the van took me right outside of my residence hall, and the van driver even helped me unload my luggage.  I didn’t have any difficulty in coming to Wells, it seemed simple, easy and I felt very safe.