UCLA International Student Ambassadors

Pronouns: he/him/his

Home: Amman, Jordan and Manama, Bahrain

Major: Mathematics of Computation
Minor: Digital Humanities

Hobbies & Interests: Liverpool FC, Food, Cross Country, Chess, Watching TV, Sleeping

Bio: Hey! My name is Adnan and I have lived in Bahrain for ten years, then in Jordan for eight years. In my free time, I enjoy watching and playing football (soccer!), running cross country, sleeping, playing chess and watching TV shows, my favorite shows being Money Heist and Prison Break. My favorite Arabic dish by far is Maqluba (Google it!), and my favorite color is green. Deciding to attend UCLA was a huge deal for me, because it meant being far away from my family, but after some time I was able to find my own family here and I am glad that I made that decision. If you want to talk about anything, whether you have a million zillion questions about UCLA, or just to have a chill conversation about football (no I will not call it soccer), please do contact me!

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Home: Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India

Majors: Neuroscience and Psychology

Hobbies/Interests: Photography, Ukulele, Badminton, Food, Music

Bio: Hello hello! My name’s Akshata and I’ve lived in a beautiful state called Odisha (India) all my life. I love clicking pictures of everything, trying new cuisines, going on midnight walks, and of course talking to people (I will admit that I’m shy at first but give me a while :p); I’ve always loved working with people on subjects I deeply feel for, and coming from such a diverse country has brought with it exposure, appreciation, and great interest in learning about cultures and various ways of living that people around the world have. For me, coming to UCLA had its challenges, but it’s as fun as you make it. The transition can feel overwhelming at times, and it may take a toll on you in several ways, but I want you to know that there are several resources that can help, and I’m here every step of the way if you ever need someone to talk to!

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Home: Taipei/Taichung, Taiwan

Major: Computational and Systems Biology
Minor: Society and Genetics

Hobbies/Interests: Watching musicals and volleyball, photography, cooking, playing the guitar

Bio: Hi there, this is Ellen! I was born and raised in Taipei, but my family moved to Taichung just before I came to UCLA. I went to a local high school in Taipei, so I had a rather different high school experience from most of my cohorts here at UCLA. At UCLA, I’m an undergraduate researcher studying human genetics with computational methods, and I’m also a part of SwabSeq, the UCLA COVID19 testing laboratory. Other than that, I enjoy watching musicals and volleyball games, photography, and playing the guitar. If you’re curious about anything at UCLA, feel free to reach out to me! I’ll be more than happy to answer any questions you have.

Pronouns: him/he

Home: New Territories, Hong Kong

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Hobbies/Interests: Football, Music, Photography, Languages

Bio: Hi everyone, I’m Matthias (or just Mat)! I’m Korean but was born and raised in Hong Kong. I took GCSEs and the IB (International Baccalaureate) in secondary school and am currently pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering. In my free time, I love watching and playing football (soccer), taking pictures, playing the guitar or bass, and learning languages. I speak Korean, English, German, and some Mandarin. With Hong Kong being extremely different to LA in terms of culture and environment, I’ve experienced lots of adaptation and shocks, and would be more than happy to share my experiences with you or help you with your own transition to UCLA. Whether you’d like to chat about Hong Kong, class planning, or the best food spots in LA, feel free to reach out at any time!

Pronouns: He/They

Home: Perm, Moscow - Russia

Major: Computational and Systems Biology; Mathematics

Hobbies/Interests: Film photography, specialty coffee, running, indie music, philosophy, mathematics/physics and broader theoretical academia

Bio: Hi! My name is Oliver and I was born in Perm, a city in Russia nearby the Ural Mountains, but lived in Moscow and spent my late teenage years in United Kingdom, attending the boarding school in Oxford. Traveling from the young age and born in the Post-Soviet Russia, I know how difficult it can be to establish and align with your cultural identity, especially amidst current political climate, so I am here to listen if you ever find yourself at the crossroads of different backgrounds that sometimes counteract with each other. Attending UCLA has been a very interesting chapter in my life and, as a senior, I am happy to help with any questions you might have about life at UCLA and broader USA. I have too many interests, and it's hard to highlight one, but I enjoy reading political philosophy, listening and playing Australian psychedelic rock (I play electric guitar!) and film photography. I am also a president of the Russian Speaking Association, so you can see me at general meetings/broader events including cultural celebrations & fundraisers, so don't hesitate to contact me :)

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Home: City: Suwon & Seoul | Country: South Korea

Major: Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology (MCDB)

Hobbies/Interests: Cooking, spending time with my dog

Bio: Hey, this is Seohyun! I was born in Seoul, South Korea, spent 5 years of my childhood in São Paulo, Brazil, but mainly spent most of my life in Suwon, South Korea. I went to an IB (International Baccalaureate) international school my entire life before coming to UCLA. In my free time, I love to cook for my family or go on a walk with my dog. Moving thousands of miles alone for college was at first frightening, but I’m more than grateful for the people I’ve met and experiences I’ve made so far. If there’s any questions I can answer, please feel free to reach out!

Pronouns: he/him/his

Home: Bangkok, Thailand

Degree: Master of Public Policy

Hobbies/Interests: Basketball

Bio: Hi everyone! My name is Kongpob Leemingsawat, and I am from Thailand. I am a graduate student studying public policy, and I also received my Bachelor degree in Public Affairs from UCLA. I love playing basketball, lifting, and playing music. I understand how hard it could be for international students in transitioning to the new environment, so please feel free to contact me if you ever need help with your transition to UCLA or even need a good spot for Thai food around LA!

Pronouns: he/him/his

Home: Madrid, Spain

Degree: PhD Operations Management

Hobbies/Interests: Before I had kids I used to travel a lot. I love reading and I really enjoy music. Also I am a huge Real Madrid fan.

Bio: I’m a PhD student at the Decisions, Operations and Technology Management department at Anderson School of Management. Prior to joining UCLA I lived in Chile where I was working at a healthcare company but I also lived in New York, Boston, Riyadh, Rio de Janeiro, Medellin, Chicago among other cities. I am married and I have two kids: Carlota who is 4 years old and Martin who is 2.

Pronouns: he/him/his

Home: Aichi and Tokyo, Japan

Degree: Master of Public Policy

Hobbies/Interests: Travel, Hiking, Workout, and Games

Bio: I was born in Aichi, Japan. I moved to Tokyo when I entered university and have since worked in Tokyo and Kobe. Before joining UCLA, I worked in rural environments and social infrastructure in Japan, so I have insight into traditional Japanese culture and farming communities. I am also interested in soft cultures, such as manga and video games as a hobby, so I can also talk about these. Don't hesitate to contact me if you want to learn more about Japanese culture. Also, if you have any concerns about living in the U.S. from Japan, please feel free to ask me as I may be able to help you from my own experience.

Pronouns: He/Him/His

Home: Beirut, Lebanon

Degree: Master in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy playing sports, chess.... I like to go out and discover the area. I like to go to premieres and watch movies. I like to go to TV sets and watch reality TV.

Bio: Hi! My name is Omar, and I am from Beirut, the capital of Lebanon. I am pursuing my master’s degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering here at UCLA. Last year was my first year living on my own. It hasn’t been easy leaving home, and I know it’s not, but trust me it’s rewarding. In my free time, I enjoy watching some tennis, soccer and basketball. Also, I am learning how to play tennis but I’m still a beginner. I love reading and enjoy watching movies and tv shows (not during the quarter though because I’d binge-watch all of Netflix). I recently watched Stranger Things and I definitely recommend it. My favorite cuisine is Mediterranean cuisine (can definitely recommend a couple in LA) but I also love Italian and Japanese (I would eat anything though don’t get me wrong). Feel free to reach out to me should you have any questions! I will respond as soon as possible!

Pronouns: He/Him/His

Home: Pune (City), Maharashtra (State), India

Degree: Master's in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Hobbies/Interests: Traveling and exploring places :)

Bio: Hi! I am Siddhant and was born in India. I have worked in a diverse set of fields spanning different geographies. My interest lies in the field of Machine Learning and Data Science. I did my undergraduate studies at the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) - Pilani, India and undergraduate thesis from Technische Universität Dresden, Germany. I was a part of an exchange program with Hiroshima University, Japan. I love traveling and have visited 12 countries till now. Staying in different countries has exposed me to different cultures and experiences. I hope during your studies at UCLA, you build memories that last throughout your lifetime. Looking forward to exploring more and meeting new people. Please, feel free to get in touch :)

Pronouns: he/him/his

Home: Lahore, Pakistan

Major: Economics and Public Affairs

Hobbies/Interests: Track and Field, running, soccer, backpacking, outdoor adventure, politics/public policy, reading, stocks/investing, business & current affairs

Bio: Hello! My name is Ali and I was born and raised in Lahore, Pakistan. Currently, at UCLA, I’m a sophomore interested in economic development, public policy, value investing and entrepreneurship. I love sports, current affairs, traveling, reading, food and connecting with people. Moving to LA was a huge transition for me but over time, I was able to make it my second home. And I hope you’re able to this too! Stepping outside one’s comfort zone opens up opportunities for diverse new experiences with amazing new people. If you ever have any questions or need advice on anything, please feel free to reach out to me! I would love to get to know you and help you out with anything you need!

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Home: Zhejiang, China

Major: Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics
Minor: Food Study

Hobbies/Interests: I LOVE traveling

Bio: I have been studying abroad in the US since middle school. I enjoy baking, cooking, and design my own recipes. In the future I'm designated to go to med school, eventually become a medical oncologist.

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Home: Seoul, South Korea

Major: Political Science; Business Economics

Hobbies/Interests: boxing, dancing, journaling, watching k-drama, eating

Bio: Hi! I'm Shannon, a rising junior studying business and political science. I love the Korean culture I was born and raised in, and I am eager to help the Korean community and culture at UCLA thrive. Whether it is dancing to K-pop, enjoying Korean food at K-town, or teaching my friends the Korean language, I am proud of the large Korean culture here at Los Angeles and our UCLA campus. I also love to meet new people and will do my best to help you, so please feel free to reach out!

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Home: Lebanon

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Hobbies/Interests: Travel, music, tennis, reading, watching TV shows

Bio: Hi! My name is Yara Abi Karam and I'm a second-year Mechanical Engineering major. I grew up in Lebanon and speak English, French, and Arabic fluently. I love traveling, listening to music (especially attending concerts), going on road-trips, and playing tennis. Moving to a different country on your own definitely comes with challenges, but UCLA offers many resources that will make it a lot easier, the Dashew Center being one of them. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions but also if you just want to hang out or try some Lebanese food ;)

Pronouns: she/her

Home: Shanghai, China

Major: Geography/Environmental Studies (minor: Environmental Systems and Society)

Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy anything related to visual art and digital art. I am learning graphic design software and trying to integrate the concept of environmental conservation into landscape architecture. In my free time, I like visiting to museums, art galleries, or exhibitions. My hobbies include playing ukulele, painting, and hiking.

Bio: Hello, my name is Yuan and I was born in Shanghai, China. I am studying Geography and Environmental Studies with a wide range of interests in ecological conservation and urban studies. I spent my first two years of college life at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and then transferred to the University of California, Los Angeles. When I first arrived at UCLA, I hadn’t had a chance to have a campus tour, but luckily I attended new students' orientation activities that were hosted by the Dashew Center. I understand adjusting to a new environment takes time and sometimes faces lots of challenges, especially when we are far away from home. Feel free to reach out to me if you would like any help to ease your transition to this big family or just have a chill conversation!

Pronouns: he/him/his

Home: Mumbai, India | Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam | Hong Kong

Major: Business Economics and Statistics

Hobbies/Interests: Running and hiking, weight training, badminton, meditating, biking, socializing and meeting new people!

Bio: Hey everyone, I'm Agastya (nickname is Aggy)! Having been born in India and living there for 8 years, then moving to Vietnam and living there for 5 years, then moving to Hong Kong and living there for 5 years, and now at UCLA, I have experienced a fair share of what it's like to move countries and adapt to new cultures, to say the least. I've experienced first-hand both the excitement and the difficulties that comes with it. In my free time at UCLA, I enjoy going to the gym, eating out on weekends, going to Santa Monica, and just chilling on campus since the campus is genuinely beautiful. Feel free to reach out, always happy to answer any questions and get to know you!

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Home: Shijiazhuang, China

Major: Cognitive Science
Minor: Film, Television, and Digital Media

Hobbies/Interests: Dancing, watching movies, having random conversations with people

Bio: Hi everyone! My name is Arianna and I was born in Shijiazhuang, a city in northern China. I went to an international high school in Costa Rica, so I know what it feels like to live in a different, diverse environment. If you have any questions about moving to a new place, navigating UCLA, or just wanna hang out, please don't hesitate to reach out to me! I'm excited to meet you!

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Home: São Paulo, Brazil

Major: Pre-International Development Studies

Hobbies/Interests: Traveling, fashion, reading, road trips, going to the beach.

Bio: Hello, my name is Carolina. I am from São Paulo, Brazil. I am a pre-International Development Studies hoping to double major in Communication. I’ve also lived two years in New York. I know how hard it is to move to a new country and adapt to a new culture so I am here to help UCLA international students find their places around campus.

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Home: Beirut, Lebanon and Manama, Bahrain

Major: Psychobiology

Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy playing the piano, tennis as well as dancing. I love traveling, meeting new people and discovering LA!

Bio: Hey everyone! My name is Mona, I am French educated Lebanese, and have lived in Bahrain for 5 years. Deciding to attend UCLA was a huge step of change for me and it was the best decision I could have made! I would love to be here for you and support you to make this place your home too! Feel free to reach out about any questions you have.

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Home: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Major: Statistics, Public Health Minor

Hobbies/Interests: Cross-stitching, crochet, baking, exploring museums and art galleries

Bio: Hello there! I'm Sarah and I was born and raised in Kuala Lumpur. In my free time, I love exploring museums, watching movies, cross-stitching, and crocheting! Coming to UCLA in my freshman year was the first time that I've lived outside of Malaysia, so I completely understand if you have any concerns about moving to a new country. If you have any questions or concerns about moving to UCLA, or if you just need someone to talk to, please don't hesitate to contact me!

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Home: Quito, Ecuador. Lima, Peru

Major: Pre-Psychology

Hobbies/Interests: Baking, reading, traveling, and learning new languages.

Bio: Hi! My name is Emilia Barriga Cortez. I was born in Quito, Ecuador, and I’ve also lived in New York and Lima, Peru. Going to UCLA was one of the hardest and best decisions as it allowed me to meet new people and explore many of my interests. Living in various countries allowed me to understand the struggles and anxieties of moving abroad. Please reach with if you any questions or advice!

Pronouns: he/him/his

Home: Kharkiv, Ukraine

Major: Computer Science and Engineering

Hobbies/Interests: Rock-climbing, Physics, Chinese, Travelling

Bio: Hello! I'm Illia and I grew up in Kharkiv, Ukraine! I know four languages (Ukrainian, Russian, English, and Chinese), and I'm passionate about studying Computer Science and Physics. When I have some time on my hands, I like rock-climbing, exploring new places in LA, and trying new food. UCLA has already become my second home, and I'm happy to help you get the best experience here!

Pronouns: he/him/his

Home: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Major: Human Biology and Society

Hobbies/Interests: Walking and window shopping at target. I'm interested in dentistry.

Bio: My name is Khang. I'm currently a Pre-health student, focusing on dentistry. I hope to become a dentist in the future. In my free time, I love going out and trying new foods and bobas. My favorite food is Com Suon.

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Home: Mainz, Germany

Major: Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology (MCDB); Anthropology
Minor: Biomedical Research

Hobbies/Interests: Archery, language-learning, art, reading, playing piano/guitar.

Bio: Hello! My name is Ronida and I come from Mainz, Germany, which is about half an hour away from Frankfurt. I’ve also lived in Switzerland for a few years and traveled to several other countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America. I attended the Frankfurt International School and moved to the US when I was accepted to UCLA. Academically, I’m very excited about the advances made in scientific and medical research. In my free time, I love playing archery, painting, and learning new languages. I’m also an avid reader, picking everything from classical literature to fantasy novels. I’d like to make you feel welcome at your new home at UCLA, so if you have any questions about our beautiful campus, MCDB, Germany, Switzerland, or have any good book recommendations, feel free to reach out to me!

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Home: Amritsar, India

Major: Global Studies
Minor: Entrepreneurship; Public Affairs

Hobbies/Interests: Rifle-shooting, Adventure Sports, Abstract and Mandala Art,

Bio: Hi there! My name is Yuvika Maheshwari and I was born and raised in Amritsar, Punjab, India. I am a Global Studies major with minors in Entrepreneurship and Public Affairs. I have an inherent love for traveling and exploring the world (Fun fact, I have been to 21 countries so far!). I aspire to be working in international business partnerships and supply chains, and am greatly passionate about coalescing global cultures, polities and societies through the power of businesses.
I am an international student and came to the United States for the first time in September of 2021. I have felt both the excitement and the anxiety that engulfs you as you move to this country, and understand that transitioning to life at college and finding your community can be intimidating. I was in your shoes not too long ago, and am here to help you as you create and adapt to your home away from home. If you ever have any questions or concerns, need to rant or vent, want to go for a walk, or simply want to go on a coffee spree, do not hesitate to reach out!