Li Yuan (last name Li) is a visiting scholar at Mansfield University this semester. She teaches finance at Lanzhou Univer
sity of Finance and Economics in China. Li holds an MS in Finance amd Accounting from the University of Wolverhampton in the UK.
As a visiting scholar in the MU Department of Business this semester, she is doing research on credit risk management. Professor Gopalan Kutty has been serving as her mentor.
Li will be returning to China soon. Below are her thoughts on her time at Mansfield.
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Before I joined the “121 China-America Teaching Cooperation Program”, I did some research about all the universities on that list, and Mansfield University was most attractive to me because of its four core values: character, scholarship, culture and service. MU is willing to accept and share different academic and cultural exchanges from all over the world. Therefore, I made the decision firmly and applied to this university in fall 2016. To be honest, as a visiting scholar from China, I have to say that I was really nervous to go to a country which I have never been to before, but when I arrived at Elmira (ELM) airport and met Dean (John) Ulrich and Dr. (Brad) Lint, they were so nice to welcome and arrange all the things for me.
This is a very beautiful place with forests and 
mountains all around the campus. All the areas are very clean and quiet, providing a high quality environment for studying. During the convocation ceremony at the beginning of this semester, the campus was flooded with smiling, happy students and faculty. They talked with each other about their holidays as well as plans for the new semester.
So far, I have been doing research at Mansfield University for four months, and I have seen the faculty try to their best to create a relaxing and harmonious environment for students. Professors are happy to answer questions asked by students, periodically inspect students’ performance, and talk with students who may need help. They do not treat the students as numbers’, they treat them as original and inventive adults.
There are three observations I would like to share:
First, small-class teaching is very effective. Most people believe that only big universities are “good” or “excellent” place to study, but now I have to say small classes are more efficient and can focus on the individual with full and undivided attention of everyone in class. For example, in accordance with my major in finance, I have been sitting in on a class called “International Financial Management” taught by Dr. (Gopalan) Kutty. This lecture mainly focuses on international financial topics like exchange rates、risk exposures, and international tax management, which are very useful in real world economics. There are 14 students attending this class, and they all raise their hands if they have any questions. Dr. Kutty answers each question using different examples to explain. In this way, it is definitely helpful to students to deeply 
understand the question, enhancing students’ cognitive ability in the field of finance.
Second, the North Hall Library has an excellent environment and considerable collection for the all-around development of students. I have visited the library and have noticed various type spaces for different functions: specialized books, art, newspapers, latest novels, DVDs and so on. Technically, students can get all the materials from the library and campus internet to finish their homework or research papers. I have seen a lot of students on the first floor of library, r
eading books or communicating with each other when a brilliant shaft of sunlight bursts through the window. I am sure they enjoy their time like alone or in groups. In addition, I found some famous Chinese books, which really shocked me. It is pretty clear cultured variety is widely accepted here.
Third, healthy food is provided for students. I thought everyone’s eating habits would be different because of where they were raised, but Manser Dining Hall (Upper and Lower) totally changed my opinion. Many Chinese prefer spicy food, but here I find the dining halls serve food to all students and faculty with fresh and abundant vegetables, meat and fruit, some very traditional American food, sometimes serving Asian food suitable for international students who may have different eating backgrounds. It is very thoughtful and essential for students who came here to study abroad.
Apart from these, other things like Mountie Express drivers are very nice police drive around to make sure everyone is safe, good instructors in the gym provide quality physical education and so on. Everything on campus is convenient and excellent.
To sum up, I have spent a short but meaningful period
at Mansfield University. I am glad that I could have this experience by myself and it’s also a good opportunity to see how an American university operates, how much they care about their students, and how they arrange activities for international students who are dealing with culture shock. I hope that Mansfield University students can go to China, and more international students can come to MU to pursue their studies at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.