Commencement 2017 profile: Taoran Li

Taoran Li still recalls being overwhelmed after arriving in the United States in fall 2015 to pursue a master’s degree in public administration at Binghamton University.

“After I got off the plane, I first noticed everyone speaking English,” she said. “I was embarrassed because I was trying to drag the (airport baggage) cart. I didn’t know I had to pay until a staff member made a ‘you have to pay money’ gesture! A lot of people were looking at me.”

The first night in Binghamton was no easier for Li, who admitted that she spent much of her time sobbing.

“The culture was so difficult for me – the environment, the language,” she said. “I was out of my comfort zone and I didn’t like it.”

Li spent her first semester adapting to her new home by taking advantage of University resources and spending time at both the main campus and the University Downtown Center. The experience was so beneficial that Li has worked for the last year and a half to make the Binghamton transition easier for her fellow international students.

“I love helping people,” said the 25-year-old, who will graduate this month. “I know how difficult it is for international students to come here and know nothing about the campus. I want to help them.”

Li received her undergraduate degree in business administration in 2014 from Capital University of Economics and Business in her hometown of Beijing. She then decided to study abroad for a graduate degree.

“In China after graduation, there are three choices: get a job, get a master’s degree in China, or study abroad,” she said.

Li began researching U.S. universities and discovered a school that she said is “the Public Ivy, located in the east and is a safe city near New York City. It has a great reputation.”

She chose Binghamton University over Drexel, Northeastern, Rutgers and Stony Brook. Although Li was traveling to the United States with her boyfriend, she knew the experience would be “a big jump.”

“I never thought about what I was to go through in the United States,” she said. “It was always a dream to me. I always imagined just sitting on a plane and flying to the U.S.

“I was so nervous,” Li added. “I didn’t prepare to meet a lot of challenges. What should I prepare? I prepared my luggage!”

Receiving assistance from the International Student and Scholar Services Office during orientation proved to be beneficial for Li.

“During my orientation, I saw leadership volunteers working with international students to familiarize them with the campus,” Li said. “At that time, I thought: ‘I want to be one of them!’”

Li also became a graduate intern for the Multicultural Resource Center (MRC), specializing in translation and interpretation. She said she chose to work at the center because she wanted to “be on the inside” of the Vestal campus. Li’s duties include marketing, promotions, tabling, sending newsletters and working on websites.

“I believe that if I have the (ability) to handle my academic assignments, I should also be doing other things and experiencing more,” she said. “I only have two years here. I want meaningful memories.”

Becky Lee, coordinator of the MRC’s Translation and Interpretation Program, said she is confident that Li has a bright future.

“Taoran is a committed student, and an even more committed intern at MRC,” Lee said. “She was a role model by showing passion for student engagement throughout her internship. Among many other good qualities, hard work and dedication has led to her success at Binghamton University.”

Learning the little things meant a lot to Li as she adapted to life at Binghamton University.

“I needed to learn the ways to communicate if I wanted good relationships with faculty members and classmates,” she said. “You always say: ‘Hello. How are you?’ I didn’t even know how to respond to ‘how are you?’ the first time I heard it!”

Even speaking English on regular basis can help, Li said.

“If you don’t speak English for several days, you won’t know how to communicate with others,” she said. “So I attended more activities and tried not to be nervous.”

There are other things besides developing communication skills that new international students can do at Binghamton, Li said, such as volunteer work on and off campus.

“I recommend that they use the resources on campus: ISSS, the Counseling Center, the English Language Institute, club (activities),” she said. “I always wanted to do more than just finish my assignments. I am so glad I tried a lot of new things.”

Li, who hopes to work for a non-profit organization soon after graduation, said the advice she received from her aunt when she was struggling remains applicable to many new international students.

“Slow down your pace. You can’t accomplish everything in your first semester. You have (time) to adapt.”