Like so many immigrant families before us, we moved to the United States because it was the land of opportunity. When I arrived in Jacksonville in 1997 from Shanghai, I was only eight years old and knew my ABCs —literally only the first three letters of the English language. We hadn’t gotten to the Ds yet when I left China.

It was a bit of an adjustment for me, but by fifth grade I was in regular American classes. I’ve had a wonderfully challenging education in Jacksonville including the University of North Florida, which has opened new worlds to me. Having graduated from Stanton College Preparatory School, I knew I had a variety of universities from which to choose. UNF’s International Business Flagship program was the primary reason I stayed in Jacksonville. I wanted more international experience and UNF has provided me with that so much more by giving be opportunities to get involved in many campus organizations. My professors recognize an education is so much more than what is in a classroom or a textbook.

In the last two years, I’ve traveled to Guatemala, Egypt, France, Italy, Turkey and, of course, China. In each country I’ve learned a little bit more about international business primarily because of outstanding faculty members who served as our mentors. The international experience has been combined with small class sizes in the Honor Program and in-service learning programs in the Jacksonville community.

But probably the single biggest factor in my growth has been my involvement in student organizations and campus employment. Only weeks after coming to UNF as a freshman, I was encouraged to jump in and get involved in the International Business Society. I didn’t have a lot of leadership experience when I came to UNF, but learned as I went along with the help of a great club adviser. I’ve since served as president of this group, as well as being selected as president of the Student Leadership Advisory Board in the Coggin College of Business, which oversees a dozen student organizations.

Leadership opportunities also have become available through campus employment. I worked for the Controller’s Office where I was responsible for auditing more than 700 procurement cards. It was a wonderful way to get to know the campus and the people who work here and put my accounting and finance classes to good practice. It also helped me secure my auditing internship with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida.

Much of this would not have been possible without assistance from the Vaghefi International Business Scholarship, the UNF Transformational Learning Opportunity Scholarship and the Undergraduate Travel Grant and Academic Enrichment Scholarship. While traveling abroad can be expensive, I’ve learned there are many programs here at UNF that assist in making dreams a reality.

As for the future, I see myself earning a graduate degree and pursuing one of two career paths. I’m interested in becoming a Foreign Service officer with the State Department — I can see myself stationed in China helping U.S businesses to develop partnerships. I’m also interested in working with a multi-national company perhaps someday becoming the chief financial officer.

Whatever career I pursue, I will have UNF to thank for putting me on the right path. I have truly become a proud example of the Osprey motto, “No One Like You. No Place Like This.”