written by Emma Liu, now enrolled in the MSc in Education (Comparative and International Education) program at the University of Oxford
A year ago, I never imagined I could design and lead a full student workshop from scratch. Now, I believe I can do anything I set my mind to. Looking back on my year at New Mind, I’m honestly amazed at how much I’ve grown both professionally and personally.
Over the past year, I have had the chance to do a little bit of everything – advising, marketing, and even operations. But what I loved most was working directly with students – building trust and showing up for them, especially when they felt alone or overwhelmed.
In the beginning, I wasn’t sure how to approach advising. Should I speak Chinese or English? Be structured or conversational? I used to think student-centered support simply meant putting students’ needs first. But gradually, I learned that it also means closely observing and adjusting my style based on how each student thinks, feels, and responds.
One student opened up only after I started having relaxed, emotional conversations in Chinese. Another preferred a clear, point-by-point style in English to match his structured mindset. Realizing that even the language I chose could impact how supported a student felt changed the way I communicated and helped me become a more intentional and thoughtful advisor.
Another thing I came to understand through working with students is that building trust takes time. During my first semester, some students were polite but distant. One of them later told me that in the beginning, he didn’t fully trust me. He felt I was just doing my job and being helpful because I had to. But over time, things changed. I kept showing up for him, even outside of work hours. I checked in when he was sick, worried when he seemed off, and offered help without waiting to be asked. Slowly, he started opening up. This past semester, he came to me much more often, not just for practical help, but to talk about how he was feeling. I think that’s when I really understood how deep our relationship had become.
This reminded me that students don’t just need information or answers; they need to feel that someone truly cares. Just like in counseling, many students want to feel that they are worth being cared for, not just managed out of duty. That’s when real trust forms.
While advising taught me how to build relationships, working on our Chinese social media, Red Note, pushed me in a completely different direction. Creating content wasn’t something I ever imagined myself doing, but it became one of the most rewarding parts of my job. I started from zero by teaching myself how to plan and film videos, edit footage, and craft posts that reached the right audience. It nurtured my creativity and taught me how to communicate more clearly across cultures and platforms.
Toward the end of my time at New Mind, one of the biggest milestones for me was leading a student workshop from start to finish. I collaborated with the Chinese Student and Scholar Friendship Association at NC State, developed the content, designed the visuals, promoted the event, and delivered the presentation. It was the first time I had taken full responsibility for a project like this, and each step brought its own challenges. I used to feel very anxious about public speaking, but this experience pushed me to prepare thoroughly and trust my ability to plan for and deliver a full workshop like this. When the workshop finally came together and I saw students engaging thoughtfully, I felt so proud, and it reminded me how much I had grown. A year ago, I wouldn’t have believed I could do something like that. But now I do.
Most importantly, I didn’t grow alone. All of my colleagues brought so much warmth and care into the workplace. As a new graduate who had just moved to a new city, I found a second home here. I’m especially thankful for Karin Sandler, my mentor and advisor. She always made me feel that my work mattered, that I was seen and heard. I’ve learned so much from her – not just about how to be a better advisor, but how to be a better listener, teammate, and leader.
Looking back, I see how meaningful this year has been. I started as someone trying to figure out my path, and now I feel even more certain that I want to stay in international education and student support. And most of all, I’ve learned that growth happens not all at once, but in those quiet moments when your thinking shifts when you listen more closely, care more deeply, and start to believe you’re capable of more than you imagined.
I’m deeply grateful for the students I worked with, the lessons I’ve learned, and my coworkers who believed in me. I’ll carry all of it with me as I move forward.