Xiulin Wang left her hometown of Wuhan, China, at the end of 2021 following the COVID pandemic and after working ten years at Education First. She had quit her job due to the Chinese government’s strict “Double Reduction” policy, which aimed to centralize authority over education and limit the influence of private sector forces. The company she worked for had to shut down the business or change to a different business model, which conflicted with her ambitions. Craving a desire for freedom and learning, she left China for the United States to pursue her education dream and boost personal growth. She made this decision on her own without her parents’ support.

As a first-generation college student living alone in a foreign country, Xiulin was determined to have a purposeful life, including a new career and personal life choices. After applying to numerous colleges, she was ecstatic about the warm response from Saint Paul College as a college that wanted to help her transition to the American culture and learning opportunities. She was undecided on her career choice, but she enrolled with an open mind on her career direction.

After one year at SPC, Xiulin chose the Management Information Systems Transfer Pathway program. She was excited that this new career field would allow her to draw on her past business experience while expanding her curiosity for learning more about new technology. During this time, she also got married and had a child, which caused her to take a year off her studies. She suffered from post-partum depression and was ever grateful for the exceptional support from SPC Mental Health Counselor Pamela Norling, her husband, and her extended family and friends.

Xiulin is excited about her new career trajectory, strengthened by her support network. She is now on pace to graduate in Fall 2025. She describes the SPC instructors as giving so much of themselves while being patient with students with limited English skills. She adds that instructors care about her well-being and her overall learning experiences. After her first semester, her EAPP Instructor, Barbara Kennedy, became a good friend to her who always supports and encourages her. Beyond the classroom, Xiulin also volunteers as a cultural ambassador for Global Minnesota and teaches Chinese to primary school students. She has been a student worker at Career Services since August 2024. Recently, she accepted a new role as a campus student advocator for LeadMN to present students’ voices and connect more resources for them.

“Education is the key to unlocking the golden door of freedom,” she cites from her favorite book “Education” by Tara Westover. Xiulin feels very lucky to live an American life surrounded by freedom and endless opportunities. She adds that she is happier after moving to the US, as the culture is diverse and more transparent for her to pursue her dreams. Now firmly on her feet and excited to move forward, Xiulin’s career ambition is to work as a Business Analyst shortly after graduation.