AN INDEPENDENT ACHIEVER
At some point during this May’s graduation ceremony, an FGB student will hear her name called and as she is walking forward to receive her diploma, she will also hear the Latin phrase “summa cum laude” meaning “with highest praise”. Her name is Xinyi (Claire) Zhang, an international student from Yueyang, China, and a finance major.
Claire studied at the MSU-Dalian campus prior to coming to Springfield. Although not completely sold when she first arrived, she soon met many interesting students and faculty. “I am very happy that I am here. I have made good friends with both my fellow students and faculty, and I find MSU to be a very peaceful place. I talk with professors often and they encourage me in both my academic and personal life, giving me lots of precious suggestions.” Claire lists Drs. Crain, Scott, Chang, and Philpot as faculty who have inspired her – demonstrating she has learned diversification and public relations very well.
Studying in the U.S. often requires a degree of independence, something Claire acquired at an early age. She says, “When I was 5 years old I left home for 3 months of gymnastic training, during which time my parents weren’t able to visit me at all. That was the starting point for me being independent. I left home again at the age of 12 for school. For the following 6 years I was home for only about two months per year”. Claire credits her parents for the many opportunities she has had. “I have a great family. My parents are very supportive and do all they can to help me. I appreciate the life they have created for me, and the positive attitude I have developed under their open-minded education.”
Claire’s immediate plans upon graduation are to attend graduate school where she will continue to study finance. Eventually, her career plans are to become a manager or executive at a large corporation or possibly a bank. Although her preferred destination is either in the U.S. or Europe, she will likely pick up the language quickly wherever she goes. Claire speaks Chinese, English, Spanish, and some Korean. So, what does this high achiever do in her spare time? “I love to spend time with friends and family. If I am alone I like to watch movies, do handcrafts, eat desserts, or go outside and enjoy good weather. I love to travel and see different people and new things whenever I can.” The MSU business school is certainly glad she traveled here.