Transplant to the U.S. uses language skills to her advantage

For some alumni, the biggest lessons learned during college have little to do with academics.

Nallely Estevez said she was introverted and entirely focused on academics during her freshman year at Binghamton. Working as an orientation adviser the following summer changed her forever, she said, helping her to “break out of her shell.”

Marinda Souva, assistant director of Campus Life for new student programs, said Estevez developed into a true leader while on campus -- one whose flexibility, enthusiasm and love of the University paid dividends as she helped plan new-student orientation.

“I would trust her with any project,” Souva said of Estevez. “She has an infinite amount of patience, and she doesn’t ever complain.”

Estevez is still somewhat quiet, but became more outgoing and comfortable meeting new people, even putting those traits to use as a resident assistant in Hinman College.

Estevez was born in the Dominican Republic and lived there and in the Bronx. The oldest of three children, she grew up bilingual, speaking Spanish at home and English at school during the years she lived in the United States.

She loves Gabriel Garcia Marquez and other contemporary Latin American writers. She’s also a movie buff who enjoys dramas such as Requiem for a Dream and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

A major in financial economics and Spanish as a student, Estevez hopes to put her business skills to use in a Spanish-speaking country and may one day pursue a master’s in accounting or an MBA.

“I’m getting a broader view in terms of how economics works,” she said. “That’s the foundation of the business world. It’s a good base.”