Qiao Yun

I am an optimistic girl who was born in a small village in Guangdong, a southern province in China.  My family and I immigrated to the United States seven years ago, shortly after I finished elementary school. Even though adjusting to my new environment was challenging, I was determined to overcome these obstacles so that I could give back to my family.  Since moving to the US, my parents have made many sacrifices, even compromising their health in low paying jobs because of their lack of English skills and education. They willingly make these sacrifices so that my brother and I may have brighter futures. This is why I value education. I believe that access to knowledge will improve our living conditions, and my success in school will lead to a happier, easier, and better life for my family and me.

It is important for me to be a hardworking student, loving family member, responsible worker, and most of all a good leader.  As a first-generation college student, I have high expectations for myself, which will fulfill my desire of obtaining new knowledge and useful skills. I additionally want to become a role model for my brother, who also plans to go to college next semester. As a role model, I am motivated to work harder and perform better than the typical college student.  With my positive attitude, talent in math, and passion for numbers, I want to pursue a career in finance or accounting. I currently plan to major in Accounting to become a Certified Public Accountant.  I want to be able to apply my bilingual skills so that I can help build relationships across cultures.I want to help other Chinese immigrants have a better experience in the United States and spread my cultural tradition to others in the United States.  I believe through persistence and diligence I will soon achieve the “American Dream”.

Participating in the workshops and working with my mentor helps me improve skills that can contribute to my success in any field.  Focusing on networking and communication has been especially helpful, as it encourages me to step out of my comfort zone and to know my strengths and weaknesses in different areas. The NYNY fellowship has already impacted my life by helping me to become a more skillful, intelligent person.