UCLA International Student Ambassadors

Pronouns: he/him/his

Home: London, United Kingdom

Majors: Biochemistry

Hobbies/Interests: Football, skiing, golf, tennis, exploring new cities

Bio: Hi! I'm Alex and I'm a senior studying biochemistry. I was born and raised in London, and I'm also half Turkish and have spent every summer of my life in Turkey. I love football and I'm a big Fulham fan, so always happy to talk about it! Coming to UCLA was the best decision I've made and there is an incredible international student community here for you all to be a part of. I'd love to help you with this and any other aspect of settling in to life here, and I'm excited to connect with more students from my or other cultures!

Pronouns: he/him/his

Home: Tehran, Iran & Vancouver, Canada & Los Angeles, US

Major: Biology; Iranian Studies (minor)

Hobbies/Interests: I’m all about balance—whether I’m racing down a snowy mountain on a snowboard, jamming on guitar or piano, or diving for a volleyball on the court. Beyond the adrenaline and rhythm, I’m passionate about the future of healthcare, especially how AI can reshape the way we diagnose and treat patients. I thrive on blending creativity, movement, and innovation—and I’m always up for new ideas, challenges, and meaningful conversations.

Bio: Hi! My name is Aria Rabet, and I’m a fourth-year transfer student majoring in Biology at UCLA. I was born in Tehran, raised in Vancouver, and now call Los Angeles home. I’m deeply interested in the intersection of technology and medicine, and I currently conduct research at the Center for Advanced Surgical and Interventional Technology (CASIT), focusing on AI-powered healthcare solutions. As an International Student Ambassador, I’m excited to help fellow students feel welcomed, supported, and empowered throughout their journey at UCLA.

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Home: San José, Costa Rica

Major: Mathematics, Economics

Hobbies/Interests: Calligraphy, Pilates, Hikes, Videography, Design, Concerts

Bio: Hiii everyone! My name is Arim Kim, and I’m a third-year Mathematics/Economics major. I grew up surrounded by many cultures—my parents are Korean but were raised in Argentina, and I was born and raised in Costa Rica. I enjoy going to the beach, finding new cafes with good chai, and exploring new places in LA with my friends. Some of my favorite things about UCLA are the chance to meet new people every day, the strong school spirit, and our beautiful campus. Moving to LA was my first time living away from home, so I understand both the excitement and challenges that come with it. I’m here to help others navigate that journey, too, and make the most of their time at UCLA! Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or even if you just want to chat!

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Home: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Major: Environmental Science Major, Earth and Environmental Science (minor)

Hobbies: Exploring other cuisines, going to the beach, skiing, and photography!

Bio: Hi everyone! I’m Baria Alaswad, a fourth-year Environmental Science major minoring in Earth and Environmental Science. I was born and raised in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and I speak both English and Arabic. My favorite thing to do is go to the beach. Growing up, I spent every Friday at the beach, which sparked my love for the natural world and led me to choose Environmental Science as my major. I love meeting new people and trying different places. I moved to Houston for a couple of months during my junior year of high school, and I understand how challenging change can be. I'm here to help you adapt to the changes you may face at UCLA. Feel free to reach out; I'd love to assist or just get to know you!

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Home: Kumasi, Ghana

Major: Doctor of Medicine

Hobbies/Interests: Baking, Hiking and Listening to podcasts

Bio: Hello! My name is Christabel, born and raised in Ghana. I moved to the US in 2016 and I am a second year medical student here at UCLA. I’m passionate about pursuing a career in global health. I enjoy exploring new places, going on hikes and trying new baked goods baking. I understand that being away from home can be challenging and so feel free to reach out to me with any questions or just want to chat! I look forward to getting to meet everyone this year!

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Home: Istanbul, Turkey

Major: Chemical Engineering

Hobbies/Interests: Working out, pilates&yoga, water sports, solo traveling, bellydancing, shopping, being a proud foodie :)

Bio: Hi everyone! My name is Ecesu (meaning the queen of water in Turkish :)), and I have lived in Istanbul my whole life until I got into UCLA. Growing up, I went to a Turkish school, so coming to a very diverse city and an even more diverse campus was definitely a challenging transition. But I promise it is also one I would never exchange for anything. I am really into any kind of physical activity—from water sports to pilates studios in Westwood—a huge fan of traveling (even solo traveling!), trying every single newly opened cafe and restaurant in LA :)), and just bringing people together. At UCLA, I am a rising junior studying chemical engineering and have a lot of advice about being a Samueli student too, from working in a research lab to joining engineering clubs! Please reach out to me if you have any little questions about anything I've mentioned above or literally if you just want to hang out and have a chat. I'm always free for coffee!!

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Home: Yangon, Myanmar

Major: Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics; Biomedical Research (minor)

Hobbies: Trying new dessert cafés, Learning new languages, Traveling, Playing badminton, Listening to music

Bio: Hi! I’m Ei. I was born and raised in Yangon, Myanmar and transferred to UCLA last year from Pasadena City College. My decision to study abroad was a huge adventure for me; I remember being overwhelmed by everything: the language, the culture, even small things like figuring out how to get around. But trust me, finding your community and having someone who truly understands what you’re going through can make all the difference. That’s why I’m more than happy to support you through this transition. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or just need someone to talk to!

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Home: Yantai, Shandong Province, China

Major: Medicine

Hobbies: hiking, outdoor sports, exploring restaurants, making buns

Bio: Hi! My name is Songjingyi (Eliz) Liang, and I’m a second-year medical student at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. I’m originally from Yantai, China, and completed my undergraduate studies in Shanghai. Before medical school, I worked for a few years in management consulting. I’m passionate about supporting international students in pursuing their dreams. As an International Student Ambassador, I hope to promote wellbeing—both mental and physical—and help others navigate their journey at UCLA with a sense of belonging and holistic health.

Pronouns: he/him/his

Home: Islamabad, Pakistan

Major: Public Affairs; Environmental Systems and Society (minor)

Hobbies/Interests: Cars, Painting, Hiking, Travelling, Architecture, Tennis, Soccer, and running for fun

Bio: Hello g. Islamabad, Pakistan has always been my home, and I'm currently a Public Affairs major at UCLA. I'm passionate about creativity and the outdoors—I love painting, hiking, and chasing sunsets, but I’m equally enthusiastic about cars, F1, and design. My interests bridge nature, art, and innovation: whether I’m sketching cars, dreaming up city plans, or seeking sustainable solutions, I’m committed to protecting our planet and finding creative ways to make a positive impact. I speak Pashto, Urdu, and English, and I hope to help new Bruins feel genuinely welcomed, supported, and empowered to be themselves in a community that feels like home.

Pronouns: he/him/his

Home: Kobe, Japan

Major: Aerospace Engineering; Data Science and Machine Learning (minor)

Hobbies/Interests: Exploring national parks, reading novels, and playing sports (swimming, Judo, tennis, etc)

Bio: Hi! My name is Hiroto, and I am from Japan. I completed my bachelor's degree at the University of Tokyo and am currently a Ph.D. student at UCLA. My research interests lie in computational fluid dynamics and machine learning. As a Ph.D. student with no prior experience living abroad, I am well aware of the academic pressures, research demands, and the often-underestimated challenges of daily life faced by international students. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. I look forward to meeting you!

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Home: Porto Alegre, Brazil & Guangzhou, China

Major: Financial Actuarial Mathematics, Global Studies

Hobbies: Travel, languages, volleyball, ultimate, café hopping!

Bio: Hii! I'm Isabel Veit and I'm currently a third-year undergrad double majoring in Financial Actuarial Mathematics and Global Studies. I'm from Brazil and China and was born and raised in Guangzhou, so I call both places home and I'm excited to be representing both for the next year! I love traveling, learning languages, experiencing new cultures, exploring LA, and staying active. I'm play a lot of Ultimate Frisbee and volleyball on campus and can't wait to get to know the international community better as well! Can't wait to share more of these experiences with incoming international students ;) Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or just want to chat!

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Home: Lagos, Nigeria & Imo, Nigeria

Degree: Geography

Hobbies: I enjoy exploring new places and watching movies

Bio: Hi! I’m a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Geography at UCLA. I’m originally from Nigeria, where I worked as an Environmental Consultant. I later moved to the U.S. to pursue my master’s degree at the University of Wisconsin–Madison before joining UCLA for my doctoral studies.
As an international student, I understand the challenges of adjusting to a new academic system, culture, and city. That’s why I’m passionate about fostering community and supporting fellow students as they navigate their own journeys. I’m excited to be part of the International Student Ambassador Program and look forward to connecting with others and helping build a supportive space for the international community at UCLA.

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Home: Beirut, Lebanon

Major: Neuroscience; Applied Linguistics

Hobbies: Baking, painting, languages, sitcoms

Bio: Hey!! I am Lea, and I am so glad that you found this page! I have lived my whole life in Beirut and moved to LA last year, and I am a second-year premed. I love languages and going on unnecessary long walks, but most of all, talking about everything and nothing. I had many doubts before coming to UCLA, like how well I would fit in and how hard the transition would be, but I am more than happy with the community that I found here. Please reach out regarding anything, but especially transitioning from the French system, being pre-med, being involved on campus, and student life in general!

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Home: Vancouver, Canada & Beijing, China

Major: Financial Actuarial Mathematics; Statistics & Data Science

Hobbies: Swimming, baking, exploring food/cafes around the city

Bio: Hi everyone! I'm Rainie, and I grew up in Vancouver, Canada. I used to swim competitively and love to explore new foods, whether that means dining out, baking, or experimenting in the kitchen. Thanks to the support from the Dashew Center, my transition to UCLA was made very smooth, and I’m excited to help create that same warm, welcoming experience for future Bruins. I look forward to working with the ambassadors team and I'd love to connect with you all!

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Home: London, UK & Karachi, Pakistan

Major: Political Science; Global Studies

Hobbies/Interests: I am an avid reader and writer. I really enjoy writing about current affairs and philosophy. I also play padel my free time. I have e a considerable interest in all sorts of teas and exploring their variations around the world.

Bio: Hi! I'm Rida and the places I call home are Karachi and London (also LA now!). I am a senior with a keen interest in politics and global affairs. I have been lucky to come across some lovely people and equally amazing experiences in LA. I always say that Karachi and London have made me who I am today, but now the same is certainly true for LA. Please feel free to contact me about anything at all, whether it be a question about my major, or just to say hi. I look forward to getting to know you and hope everyone has a fantastic year!

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Home: Chittagong, Bangladesh & Los Angeles, California

Major: Mathematics of Computation; Statistics and Data Science (minor)

Hobbies: Anime, food, painting, crafts, music, swimming, traveling, binge-worthy shows, spontaneous side projects

Bio: Hello! I’m Rudaba, originally from Bangladesh and now a senior at UCLA majoring in Mathematics of Computation with a minor in Statistics and Data Science. I moved to the U.S. in 2022 and am incredibly proud to represent Bangladesh as an International Student Ambassador for the 2025–2026 academic year. I’m passionate about tech, design, and creating inclusive digital spaces. When I’m not building websites or designing visuals, you can find me exploring LA’s food scene or reminiscing about home-cooked Bengali meals. I’m always happy to chat so don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions or just want to connect!

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Home: Kuwait & England

Major: Political Science

Hobbies: Reading & writing, swimming, watching movies, tennis, horse-riding, and trying new foods with friends!

Bio: Hello! My name is Sarah, and I'm a junior studying political science.
I'm from Kuwait, but have spent 9 years living in England. I love going to the beach, meeting new people, traveling, and trying new things such as new cuisines and activities- let me know if you have any recommendations! Making the move and adopting a new lifestyle can be difficult in the beginning, so l'm here to support you with absolutely anything! I can’t wait to get to know you all, and if you ever have any questions, concerns or just want to hang out feel free to reach out :)

Pronouns: he/him/his

Home: Beijing, China

Degree: MBA

Hobbies: Lifestyle Influencer/Content Creation Vlogger (10k+ followers on TikTok), Mahjong, International Travel, Cooking

Bio: Hi! My name is Yuri Lu and I’m originally from Beijing. I spent six years in Boston completing my combined bachelor’s and master’s degrees in finance at Northeastern University, then returned to Beijing to work at EY in the Business Transformation consulting team for three years. I’m currently pursuing my full-time MBA degree at UCLA Anderson. This September I’ll also be joining the dad club which is a big life change I’m both nervous and excited about! I’m passionate about cross-cultural collaboration and look forward to helping international students feel empowered and supported in their journey at UCLA.