Starting my Ph.D. journey in a new country was both exciting and overwhelming, especially because of the language barrier. When I first moved to Houghton, my English proficiency was very limited, and even simple conversations felt challenging. I struggled with speaking, writing, and understanding others, which made both daily life and academic work difficult.
Because of my low TOEFL score, I was not able to get into graduate school at first. I took the TOEFL exam three times, and my first attempt was especially discouraging. Things started to change when I joined the Elaine Bacon Literacy Program. With their support and guidance, I improved a lot and was able to get a high score on my third attempt. That is what helped me get accepted into the Chemistry Ph.D. program at Michigan Technological University. I am deeply grateful to Frann, Beth, Marianna, and Linda for their support and kindness. Their help made a big difference not only for the TOEFL exam, but also throughout my graduate studies.
During my Ph.D., I worked as a graduate teaching assistant, which was both challenging and rewarding. At times, language barriers made it difficult for students to understand me, and that was not easy. But over time, I became more confident in communicating and explaining concepts clearly. I also had the opportunity to mentor high school students, undergraduates, master’s students, and new Ph.D. students in my lab. These experiences helped me grow a lot in both communication and leadership.
Looking ahead, I plan to work as a researcher in the biotech field. I am excited to keep building on my research experience and to contribute to science in ways that can be useful in real-world applications.
Looking back, the challenges I faced with English were not easy, but they shaped my journey in meaningful ways. I feel very grateful for how far I have come from struggling with English to successfully completing my Ph.D. with a 3.93/4.00 GPA and receiving several awards. Most importantly, this journey taught me that with support, patience, and persistence, real progress is always possible.
Elaine Bacon Literacy Program 