The most rewarding part is the harvest,” he recalls. “It’s not only about the vegetables you grow but seeing your time, care and effort finally pay off. You’re there with other people, sharing food, and it feels like a real community.
When Yumin Li first arrived in Canberra from Guangzhou, China, what struck him most was the stillness of the city and the warmth of the people. “On one of my first mornings, I went for a walk at Mount Ainslie,” he recalls. “Every time someone jogged past, they smiled and said good morning. That had never happened to me before. It was such a small gesture, but it made me feel welcome straight away.”
This set the tone for Yumin’s time at ANU, where he quickly found a place in the student volunteering community. Before moving to Australia, he had completed a bachelor’s degree in Microelectronics Science and Technology in China and chose ANU for postgraduate study because of its reputation for research and its strong support for international students. “ANU has a very good student-to-staff ratio and that really helps when you want to ask questions and get guidance,” he explains.
Although the academic demands of his program kept him busy, Yumin was determined that student life at ANU would be more than just lectures and tutorials. Volunteering soon became one of the most rewarding parts of his time on campus.
Much of Yumin’s volunteering was done through the ANU+ program, the university’s co-curricular recognition program that encourages students to engage in leadership, volunteering and learning opportunities beyond the classroom. Students who complete volunteering milestones through ANU+ receive formal recognition on their transcript, showcasing not just their academic abilities but also their commitment to community engagement and leadership. “ANU+ really encouraged me to try things outside of my comfort zone,” Yumin says. “It wasn’t just about the hours you log, it was about reflecting on what you learn and how you grow as a person.”
His first foray was with the Kitchen Garden program, a community initiative where students plant, tend and harvest fresh produce in the garden. “The most rewarding part is the harvest,” he recalls. “It’s not only about the vegetables you grow but seeing your time, care and effort finally pay off. You’re there with other people, sharing food, and it feels like a real community.”
That small step into volunteering soon expanded. Through ANU+, Yumin began helping at campus events, contributed to community festivals like the Canberra Moon festival and even took on photography work to capture the vibrancy of student activities. “At first I was a little nervous,” he admits. “I’m naturally introverted, and I thought maybe I wasn’t the right kind of person for volunteering. But I realised you don’t need to be extroverted, you just need to show up. Volunteering gave me the chance to talk to new people and become more confident.”
Yumin’s contributions didn’t go unnoticed - program coordinators often praised his commitment, reliability and the warmth he brought. And for him, it has made his student experience that much more wholesome. “I didn’t want my life at ANU to be only about studying. Volunteering made it richer and more balanced. It gave me friendships and memories that I’ll carry with me long after graduation.”
Having recently graduated, Yumin is currently working as an academic in the School of Computing, tutoring students in courses such as Structured Programming and Parallel Systems. Standing on the other side of the classroom was a learning curve in itself. “As a student, you’re always focused on how to learn and absorb knowledge. But as a tutor, you have to think about how to explain it to others and how to make it simple enough for them to understand. This has helped me deepen my own learning as well.”
Looking ahead, Yumin is considering his next steps. He hopes to build a career where he can apply his technical skills to create real-world impact. A PhD might be on the cards, but for now, he’s eager to explore new opportunities.
Reflecting on his time at ANU, Yumin’s advice to future students is: “Just try. Even small things like joining a club, volunteering one afternoon can change your experience completely. It makes your university life more complete.”
