Far from home, Tianyi Li Bueso wasn’t sure what to expect when she first enrolled
at the 91tvӰԺ and the Judy Genshaft Honors College.
Originally from San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Li Bueso arrived in the United States for
her freshman year of college. To her surprise, she received a much warmer welcome
than she had anticipated before arriving at 91tvӰԺ.
“There was this idea that people were colder in America,” said Li Bueso. “But that
hasn't really happened to me!”
Now a rising senior, dual majoring in statistics and econometrics & quantitative economics
with a minor in Chinese language, Li Bueso credits the vibrant and inclusive student
body for helping her explore new opportunities on campus.
“I love it here. I feel like I needed that change from the same thing I knew my whole
life,” said Li Bueso. “Coming here was a really good refresher.”
CREATING CONNECTIONS
While Li Bueso was excited to settle into a new environment, she found it difficult
to make connections during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“During quarantine, I felt like I needed to talk my feelings out, but we couldn’t
physically speak to each other,” she said.
This challenge drove her to tap into her creative side by starting her own podcast,
Let’s Talk About That with Tianyi. It became an outlet for her, providing a platform
to find her voice while growing personally and creatively.
Through the podcast, Li Bueso explores a wide array of topics, from mental health
and coping with grief to playing Animal Crossing and sharing her on-campus work experience
as a Resident Assistant (RA).
To her surprise, the podcast resonated with others. One listener even reached out
to thank her, saying she shared similar feelings and felt seen. For Li Bueso, this
moment validated her work as a podcaster and encouraged her to continue discussing
topics that might seem taboo.
“That was the moment I thought – I should share this with my friends,” said Li Bueso.
“It made me wonder if somebody out there also wants to talk about it but can’t approach
me. It’s such a nice way to bridge that gap.”
UNLOCKING POTENTIAL
Creating a podcast wasn’t the only thing that helped Li Bueso discover more about
herself. She describes her time in the Honors College as a transformative experience
that opened up a world of new possibilities.
“The Honors College is such a fundamental building block that I wish that everyone
could have. The classes that they teach here open your eyes like none other,” said
Li Bueso.
She highlights her favorite Honors experience: a semester in Professor Deepak Singh’s
poetry class, where she discovered a new side of herself. Although naturally creative,
she had never written poetry before, and the course offered her a fresh outlet for
expression.
“Sometimes I get lost in the STEM world and start to see things in black and white,
so it’s nice to have the Honors College,” said Li Bueso. “Critical thinking isn’t
something you learn in math class. The Honors College opens your eyes to a much wider
set of viewpoints.”
For Li Bueso, being a student in a STEM field can sometimes feel “one-track,” but
building relationships with Honors faculty and professors reminded her that she doesn’t
have to fit into a certain box.
Instead, she’s gained the ability to explore the intersection of all her interests.
When she applied for her first on-campus job, she was unsure of what the role of a
Resident Assistant involved, but Li Bueso decided to take a chance and she applied
for the job. In the position, she found that the most rewarding part of the experience
was realizing “the different needs that each group of students had.”
During her time as an RA, Li Bueso had the opportunity to work with a diverse group
of students. One year, she guided a group of freshmen, helping them navigate their
first year of college. The following year, she supported a group of graduate students,
each with their own unique challenges. Throughout the year, Li Bueso witnessed her
students grow and develop, which, in turn, taught her valuable lessons. She learned
from their experiences and perspectives, enriching her own understanding and growth.
FINDING PASSION AND PURPOSE
Her message to incoming students: “Don’t rush. Find things that make you excited,”
said Li Bueso. “When you’re passionate about what you do, it becomes easier to enjoy
your time in college and make the most of every opportunity.”
Looking toward the future, Li Bueso plans to harness her talents by pursuing a master’s
degree in public relations, a career path inspired by the connections she forged through
her podcast, her role as an RA, and her experiences within the Honors College.