The ELI Student Spotlight series is designed to honor students who demonstrates outstanding commitment and enthusiasm in ELI courses. 

Meet Tammy Wang! Tammy was nominated by Professors Trisha Dowling and Debbie Des Jardins her outstanding work in ELI 521, ELI 560, and ELI 561. Professor Dowling wrote, "In both the summer program and 521 this fall, Tammy has actively participated and had a great attitude. She shows her leadership skills in small and large group work. She is truly fun to have in class!" Professor Des Jardins commented, "I've been fortunate to have had Tammy in several of my classes. Tammy's willingness to not only immerse herself in her academic work but also explore the Ann Arbor community is admirable. I have greatly appreciated her enthusiasm in class as well as her ability to work collaboratively with her classmates."

Name: Tammy Wang

Hometown: China

Degree Program: Master in Social Work

What inspired you to take a class at the English Language Institute? At the very beginning, it was a requirement from the School of Social Work that I had to take the summer English Academic Program. Now, when I look back on my language journey with the English Language Institute (ELI), it was a happy and memorable start of my study life in the U.S. Last summer, 44 Days, 19 EAP students with ELI teachers, we gathered together here at the University of Michigan. At that moment, for most students, it was our first time studying abroad, specifically, it was our first time living in Ann Arbor. I was quite nervous and worried about everything at that time. However, the ELI is such an amazing place. All the teachers and staff there created a quite friendly, diverse and creative space for us as international students. We went to contradance with a music band made up by the ELI staff, we went to see the city of Detroit, we engaged with the local project gardening and Delonis center. There was no doubt that we became a kind of family after those 44 days with each other. I knew that continuing to study with the ELI would be a beautiful decision I could make at that time, then I could study with so many creative and amazing teachers and also get some interesting friends from this magical place.

What have you enjoyed the most about your class? Why? It is quite difficult to talk about the one most enjoyable part of the ELI class. There are so many unforgettable moments in my mind now. When we were thrilled about dancing with each other, when we were weeding under the sunshine and talked about the limited plants we know, when we "complained" about the workload, when we argued with each other in a discussion class, when we teased with each other at the later part of the program, when we created our final movie and repeated some scenes over and over again, etc.

From my perspective, it's the ELI that gathered us together at those moments and gave us such a precious opportunity. Because of them, we created so many exceptional memories in last summer.

What do you hope to do after graduating from Michigan? Let's see in the future.

What advice would you give to other international students at U-M? According to my experience, trying is better than nothing. I gained a lot from the ELI, not only the confidence in speaking english, but also precious memories and friends. So why not have a try, if you have not tried it before? For those you have already tried and think that it doesn't suit you, try something else. We will find our own way ultimately. Be confident, we are all masters of what we have.