2023 Globally-Affiliated Top 100 Students
2023 Globally Affiliated Top 100 Students Reflect on Global Learning
Mumina AbdurakhmonovaFinance and Real Estate
"I was introduced to the International Peer Mentoring Program (IPMP) in the fall of 2021. IPMP played a huge role in my academic and social life on campus as a student who had just moved to a new campus. With such a short but strong connection with IPMP, I could not have dreamed of a better opportunity to get involved in campus life. This is why I joined the IPMP in May to be part of the community to help international students. IPMP has become my family over the year. I improved my intercultural communication skills while mentoring 12 different students and collaborating with diverse groups of mentors. The IPMP provided me with social connections and networking opportunities, and most importantly valuable leadership opportunities."
Brian Cheong
Computer Engineering, Minor in Computer Science and Mathematics
"As an international student from Malaysia who started my university life during peak Covid season, I was not able to attend classes in person and even had to stay in Malaysia for my first semester with a 12 hours time zone difference. Fortunately, I decided to be a part of IPMP as a mentee and met a group of amazing mentors. We would connect with each other and organize fun online events to lighten up the mood despite us having our own problems to deal with at that time. Aside from that, I also got a lot of advice from my mentors about getting involved on campus. That was when I started leaving my footprints at different parts of campus, contributing to the betterment of the IUPUI community, and still wanting to do more. Besides my on campus involvements, I was also able to make good connections with a diverse group of peers, some of which are also international students from different parts of the world. We would study and go on trips together, keeping each other accompanied, and that gave me the motivation to excel both academically and personally at IUPUI."
Luke Dennison
Accounting and Finance
"Global learning has contributed to my IUPUI experience by providing me with the opportunity to experience new cultures on a first-hand basis. It taught me how international commerce is conducted, as well as the salience of history and tradition. I am incredibly blessed and grateful to have studied abroad in London, and it is an experience that I will never forget."
Alston Dsouza
Electrical Engineering, Minors in Computer Science and Mathematics
"Global learning has been one of the main contributors to my collegiate success at IUPUI. Now as I recall, most of my close friends come from all parts of the globe like Turkey, Uzbekistan, Russia, Jordan, Nigeria, Japan, Malaysia, Brazil, Spain, Honduras, etc., My friends have exposed me to their beautiful cultural heritage, their food, their ways of living, TV shows, etc., and ultimately made me aware of the fact that we live in a humongous world and how each person and their traditions are unique respectively.
Global learning has helped me learn how to be inclusive; tending to the different needs of people while also teaching me to be open-minded to different beliefs and traditions that people bring along.
Being exposed to different people has definitely taught me to be a better communicator, a better leader, and also a better student in my engineering journey at IUPUI."
Anna Marie Greenfield
Sports Management, Business, and Event Management, Minor in Dance
"The opportunity to participate in a Global Learning experience has had a large impact on my IUPUI experience. In my opinion, there’s no better way to learn about something than through hands-on experience, which is exactly what the Cruise-Line study abroad opportunity provided. Getting to experience life on a cruise ship for a week gave me a whole new perspective on the events and hospitality world that I can now take back and apply to events here in Indianapolis. In addition to the educational portion, Global Learning opportunities provide an amazing and unique way to connect with other students. I never would’ve met some of the people in my class had it not been for this opportunity and I’m thankful to have created many close friendships. All students should participate in at least one Global Learning experience if they have the chance to!"
Naga Sai Adithya Kandru
Electrical Engineering, Economics, Minor in Mathematics
"Global Learning has been a critical component of my IUPUI experience. I have had the opportunity to learn to work effectively across cultures, understand different communication styles, and respect cultural norms.
The IPMP program and my time at the OIA have provided me with the opportunity to develop skills and competencies that are highly valued by employers, such as adaptability, critical thinking, and intercultural competence which will be very important for my future career."
Harsimran Kaur
Biology, Honors minor in Leadership
"I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to participate in Global Learning at IUPUI. Through my Global Learning experience, I had the chance to engage with individuals from various backgrounds in the Dominican Republic. During my time studying abroad, I learned about the relationship and history between the Dominican Republic and Haiti, and had the opportunity to contribute to building houses for communities and learn about the medical system in the DR, which were significantly meaningful experiences for me.
Interacting with different people and communities allowed me to appreciate diverse cultures and ways of life. I believe this exposure has helped me grow personally and become more open-minded. Participating in the Global Learning program also provided me with a platform to develop critical skills such as independence, adaptability, and problem-solving. These experiences allowed me to navigate unfamiliar environments and confront challenges with confidence, resulting in my personal growth.
I am grateful for this opportunity because it has provided me with so much. I returned with a deeper understanding of the world and my place in it."
Kayla Mae Lemmon
Business Management, Minor in Philanthropic Studies
"Global Learning contributed to my IUPUI experience by increasing my awareness of the world around me. I was able to make connections, learn a language, try new foods, and get out of my comfort zone. This experience was incredible, and changed my world view. I am more intentional and moderate now that I have returned. Ultimately, my trip helped me realize the true meaning of "Pura Vida"."
Hope Leonard
Music Technology, Psychology
"I cannot separate my IUPUI experience and my Global Learning experience - they are one and the same! My time as an International Peer Mentor and my service coordinating the International Peer Mentoring Program as Coordinator has been most joyous. I am proud of the teamwork and servant leadership that I have been a part of and these experiences have shaped who I am. I consider myself blessed to have had the interactions with students and staff that have been fostered by Global Learning."
Ashwin Manoj
Mechanical Engineering, Minors in Computer Science, Mathematics
"Global learning has been an instrumental part of my time at IUPUI and I have enjoyed every moment of it. I studied abroad in Germany, interned in South Africa, and worked extensively with the OIA. I have had the opportunity to meet unique individuals from new cultures and this has helped me develop new respect for internationalism. And learning from professors from various backgrounds has added diversity to my thought-processes and problem solving skills. I am grateful for the global learning opportunities that IUPUI has presented and I hope to keep learning more about the beautiful world we live in."
Carson Grace Prosser
Neuroscience
"While I was abroad, I learned so much more about myself and the world around me. I learned that broadening my perspective would help me to connect with more people on a deeper level and enhance my own understanding of the world. I learned to take risks and put myself out of my comfort zone, because while I might risk vulnerability or embarrassment, I might also make great memories and long-lasting friendships. Another unique experience was learning about the field of neuroscience from the perspective of other cultures, which helped to broaden my own perspective of neurological research. It is extremely important to approach science from different angles and perspectives, so learning from professors of other cultures who have different ideas and methods of analyzing research is helpful to broaden my thinking as a future neuroscientist.
I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to study abroad, and that I could bring all the lessons I learned back to IUPUI. This university has provided me with a unique and enriching experience which challenged me and taught me many important lessons. Studying abroad forced me to step out of my comfort zone and learn more about myself and the world around me which helped me to gain the confidence that has been essential to my success as a student, teacher, and leader for IUPUI."
Catherine Elizabeth Sellmer
Psychology
"Wow! Studying abroad was always my dream, and I thought I wouldn't be able to due to COVID. I found the program I wanted to do before even being accepted to IUPUI, and my heart was set on it. I remember the day I got accepted. I was so elated and couldn't believe that I was going to study food and culture in Greece! I have an interest in studying nutrition because my career aspiration is to become an eating disorder therapist. Being in Greece gave me inspiration to do eating disorder research there, since there is only one published study on this. Being abroad allowed me to further my studies and embrace different cultures."
Dhriti Shah
Accounting and Finance
"Being an international student, and having the opportunity to go on a Study Abroad trip to London, I am extremely grateful for the experiences that have shaped me to be the person that I am today and the person that I strive to be. I have gained a new perspective which has helped me to be even more dedicated towards my education. I could not have imagined a better experience for myself at IUPUI, and for that I will always be extremely grateful."
Kiera Avenal Sloan
Marketing, International Business, Spanish
"Global Learning has contributed to IUPUI experience more so that I ever thought possible. I knew that leaving the country and taking classes in Spanish would elevate my languages skills, but, the personal growth and broadening of my own horizons is something I never expected to see so prominently in my four months in Spain. I value people and their various ways of contributing to society so much more deeply, and this maturing of this thought will carry with me in my final year at IUPUI. I feel as though experiencing life outside the confinements of my day-to-day Indianapolis routine has bettered equipped me to contribute to our Jaguar community and in work after my time in education."
Gabriella Soto
Health Services Management
"The opportunity to Study Abroad allowed me to apply what I have learned throughout my time at IUPUI and prepared me for my experiences while abroad. This past spring break I had the privilege to visit London, England to learn and explore their healthcare system. I was able to gain an understanding of the National Health Service (NHS) from various perspectives while also having time to explore the city in our free time.
As a recipient of the Study Abroad Planning Grant, I was able to apply the grant to cover a large portion of the program cost. This program may not have been possible without the Planning Grant. I had the privilege of not only exploring their healthcare system but also gaining an understanding of their culture and history. This experience allowed me to broaden my perspective on what could be possible here in the U.S. and in my own life as well."
Zhen Hong Tan
Electrical Engineering, Quantitative Economics, Minors in Mathematics and Global and International Studies
"My favorite part about studying at IUPUI is its diversity. There are people from all walks of life here, which I think is cool because everyone has something unique to offer. Adjusting to life in Indianapolis was pretty easy for me because the people here are friendly and welcoming. It made it easier for me to feel comfortable around them right away.
Melissa Ruth Thomas
Public Health and English, Minor in Health Communication
"Global Learning has allowed me to expand my worldview beyond my coursework, and to return to campus with new ideas to directly apply towards my education and the community. I have been able to connect with multiple faculty members and students of IUPUI, as well as establish other fantastic working relationships across campuses and across borders."
Ria Vavhal
Visual Communication Design
"As an international student, global learning has been a part and parcel of my journey at IUPUI and through my involvement with the Office of International Affairs. It has helped me develop a unique perspective on approaching and tackling academic and personal challenges. It has opened new doors for me in my field of design and made me open to learning new cultures as well as representing them appropriately through my work. It’s also at the very core of my professional standing and my role in the Office of International Affairs as a Visual Communications Specialist currently."
Ava Elizabeth Ward
Japanese IMP, Global and International Studies
"Global Learning has contributed to my IUPUI experience because it has allowed me to get better prepared for my career and connect with many people from around the world. Although studying abroad seemed like an impossible dream for me these past two years, the support and encouragement I have gotten from the IUPUI faculty have allowed me to achieve so much and go beyond where I thought I could go. Thank you and I can’t wait to see everyone again this coming Fall semester!"
