Senior Shuhan Li Earns U.S. Citizenship
November 20, 2023
Senior Shuhan Li celebrated a one-of-a-kind moment on November 15.
After transitioning from a vacation visa to green card, Li officially became a United States citizen at the Office of Immigration Services. With his mother by his side, Li completed the necessary steps to earn his U.S. citizenship certificate. It was certainly a special moment for him and his family.
“It feels beautiful and everyone was talking about it, congratulating me on earning my U.S. citizenship,” he said. “I proud to be an American citizen.”
Hailing from Beijing, China, the CBA senior arrived in the U.S. in January 2018. He attended Knollwood Middle School in Fair Haven, where he had an understandable period of adjustment to his new home.
“For the first two months when I arrived, I lived with my parents and tried my best to adapt the American life,” he said. “The first week was rough. I vividly remember during the first day science class, the teacher handed my a quiz and I couldn’t comprehend any word on that piece of paper. For the next few weeks, I started learning English, overcoming the difficulties I encountered through my path, and by the end of that school year I became fluent in English.”
Li joined the CBA community as a freshman in 2020, where he became involved in swimming and Model UN. Li’s time at the Academy has proven to be beneficial in his adjustment to his new home, while also teaching him intangibles that he knows will help him in the future.
“I think the most important thing that CBA has helped me with is teaching etiquettes on how to be a young gentleman, as well as discipline.”
Of course, Li understands that he has needed plenty of helping hands over the past six years and is forever grateful to everyone for their assistance.
“Without the help of my parents, my friends at Knollwood and CBA, and a lot of faculty members, I would not have reached where I am today.”