CELOP Alumni: Where are They Now?
Rui Wang, China

in Highlight
December 6th, 2017

1. What is your name?

My name is Wang Rui. Rui is my given name, Wang is family name. Rui in Chinese means brave and smart, my parents wished I would be a brave and smart girl.

2. Where are you from?

I am from a northeast city Harbin, China. The climate there is very similar as Boston. I feel comfortable with everything here.

3. Where do you live now?

I live in an old house with two roommates in Allston. There are three floors in the house, and 3 Indian boys live in the 2^nd floor. Communicating with those Indian boys make me keep practicing English all the time.

4. When and for how long did you study at CELOP?

I started to study English at CELOP during July and August 2017 for 4weeks. It was a short study period. But it helped me a lot.

5. Why did you choose CELOP?

Boston University Metropolitan College sent me a conditional offer in June. The advisor suggested me to choose CELOP.

6. What were some of the things you liked most about CELOP? Do you have a favorite memory?

I liked the learning method of combining theory and practice. Stephanie Ngom is my favorite English trainer. She taught us the basic vocabulary and grammar, made us understand how to use them through situational conversation and some debates. There were many research tasks before personal and group presentations for us to prepare. I learned American culture a lot, including education, medical care policy and marriage, etc. Practice courses on every Friday were our favorite experiences. We went to Freedom Trail, Tea Party Museum to learn the history of USA. Cambridge innovation tour made us understand a lot of technical companies. What’s more, we practiced listening and speaking with the local people.

Fortunately, my last sore of TOEFL test speaking section was improved from 18 to 23. Finally, I reached the requirements for taking the core courses at MET in time. Even the course which I chose was not about the test preparing, but my score and English skill was improved indeed.

7. In what ways did CELOP help you prepare for what you are doing now?

I have worked in Beijing for 7 years before I came here. From my past experiences, I think the two most important things for career are communication and confidence. CELOP helped me a lot in this two aspects.

First, we discussed several topics with different partners. Utilizing appropriate words, grammar and sentences to express our opinions was very important for students from all over the world. My communication skill was improved during that 4-week course.

In addition, for I studied and worked in my country before this July, I did not use English often. I felt nervous and unsure of myself before English presentation. Stephanie helped us and encouraged us. I imitated her natural intonation, body language and the method of eye contacting with audiences. Finally, I did the presentation in front of many classmates naturally. It’s helpful for my future career.

8. Where did you attend college for your undergraduate degree? What was your major and when did you graduate?

I graduated from Northeast Agriculture University in China, majored in Food Quality and Safety in 2010. But I did not do the same industry as my major in the past 7 years. My first job was a market analyst in a Chinese liquor company. I tried every position in marketing area and became a director of brand promotion department.

9. Where are you working/studying now?

I am studying financial management in BU MET. I like my major very much. Making contact with numbers, financial statements, and ratios is so interesting that I could study more than 12 hours every day. At first I read the textbook slowly almost 1 hour for just 1 page. After practicing reading, I could read and understand the details in the textbook in a short time.

10. Tell us about what you want to do in the future. What is your dream job?

I think I am the appropriate person to work as a financial analyst. For I learned the basic method of market survey and data analysis from my first job. And kept working on brand research in the following years. My merit is I have led a team and worked as a management position, I could consider a problem in all its aspect, and I have a strong analytical and problem solving ability.

11. What is your favorite thing to do in Boston?

I love Charles River very much. I usually run along both sides of Charles River. The scenery of along the river is very different from summer to autumn. In early winter it brings new view to my eyes as well. I took photos and sent them to my family, they all loved Charles River very much, even they had been here. Luckily, when I study in library of Law, I could enjoy the scenery of Charles.

12. What is your favorite restaurant in Boston?

To be honest, Chinese food is my favorite food. Chinatown is a good place to taste Chinese food. Do in Rome as Rome does. I tried American food many times, and it is great too. Eastern Standard located in Kenmore is great. I had a good experience there due to the great taste food, good service attitude and the appropriate price.

13. What would you tell someone who is thinking about studying at CELOP but is unsure?

In my opinion, maybe 4-weeks course is short for learning comprehensive English skills. It is so helpful that I think 10-weeks or 12-weeks course would be great.