Our International Students
NAME: Elena Fajardo
DEPARTMENT: Civil Engineering '12
HOME COUNTRY: Philippines
ACTIVITIES AT WPI: International Student Council (Co-Chair), Alpha Xi Delta Sorority (External Philanthropy Chair), Habitat for Humanity (Vice President), Student Support Network, Big Brother Big Sister, Summer Co-op at Skanska USA Building Inc Summer '11, IQP Costa Rica B term '10.
WHAT HE HAS TO SAY: “Become involved. WPI is known for it's focus on team projects, which prepares its students for a career in their field of study. However, for me, my invovlement in different activities and the people I have met during my time at WPI are the factors that has contributed the most to my personal growth, teaching me lifelong skills that will help me become successful in my career.”
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NAME: Assel Akhmetova
DEPARTMENT: Environmental Engineering
HOME COUNTRY: Kazakhstan
ACTIVITIES AT WPI: International Student Council, UNIQUE Multicultural Sorority, APO
WHAT SHE HAS TO SAY: "Work like you don't need the money, love like you've never been hurt, and dance like no one is watching."
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NAME: Zhixin "Hara" Wang
DEPARTMENT: Chemical Engineering and Environmental Engineering '11
HOME COUNTRY: China
ACTIVITIES AT WPI:IQP at Namibia Project Center, D term '11; intern at chinadialogue (an international environmental non-profit) San Francisco Office, summer '10; intern at Shanghai Research Institute of Materials, summer '09, nano-toxicology research at WPI Gateway Park; Multicultural chair at UNIQUE Multicultural Sorority Interest Group; Crimson Key campus tour guide at Admissions Office; Outing Club; Chinese Dane Team; International Student Council; Chinese Student Association
WHAT SHE HAS TO SAY: “I wouldn't have been able to meet students with such diverse backgrounds and experiences and to have an engineering education with such emphasis on real-world and global applications if not for coming to WPI.”
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NAME: Aakriti Bhakhri
DEPARTMENT: Chemical Engineering '12
HOME COUNTRY: India
ACTIVITIES AT WPI: IQP at Puerto Rico, D term 2011; summer co-op Aspen Aerogels, summer '10; International Student Council (Secretary); Amnesty International WPI (Vice President 2009-2010); Indian Student Organization; Relay for Life; American Institute of Chemical Engineers; Model United Nations.
WHAT SHE HAS TO SAY: "WPI has provided me with a mosaic of opportunities both inside the classroom and beyond. It has given me the strength to be confident and successful in my interactions with the real world and hence be able to contribute to my almamater and my community. I have met a lot of amazing people here from all over the world, many of whom have become friends that I will cherish for life."
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NAME: Andrea Rivas
DEPARTMENT: Biomedical Engieering '14
HOME COUNTRY: Costa Rica
ACTIVITIES AT WPI: International Student Council (Public Relations); Hispanic and Caribbean Student Association (Secretary), Crimson Key, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
WHAT HE HAS TO SAY: “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life beliving it is stupid."-Albert Einstein.
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NAME: Ricardo Obasare
DEPARTMENT: Actuarial Mathematics '12
HOME COUNTRY: Jamaica
ACTIVITIES AT WPI: Summer Co-op at SunLife Financial, Summer '10; IQP Costa Rica Project Center B Term '10; The National Society of Black Engineers (President 2010-2011); Peer lEarning Assistant; ToastMasters; Relay for Life; International Student Council
WHAT HE HAS TO SAY: "To me, the best thing about WPI is the people you meet. You get the sense that the person that you interact with here will be your support system not only at WPI, but throughout the rest of your life."
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NAME: Nathan Horvath
DEPARTMENT: Aerospace Engineering, Physics minor ‘11 (undergrad), Mechanical Engineering '13 (masters)
HOME COUNTRY: Brazil
ACTIVITIES AT WPI: IQP in Worcester, sponsored by Worcester Regional Transit Authority, A/B terms ’09; Christian Bible Fellowship (officer in ‘09/’10 and president in ‘10/’11); American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (Webmaster and Vice President); WPI Concert Band and Orchestra (principal flutist); Resident Advisor; Tau Beta Pi member.
WHAT HE HAS TO SAY: “WPI has taught me that knowledge on its own is useless – it’s applying what we learn to critical real-world issues that enable us to transform lives and leave a lasting impression on those around us. ”
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NAME: Jennifer Victoria Kamara
DEPARTMENT: Chemical Engineering ‘12
HOME COUNTRY: Sierra Leone/Ukraine
ACTIVITIES AT WPI: International Student Council, Relay for Life Committee member, Alden Voices Choir, Internship summer '09 at Masy Systems Inc., IQP Costa Rica B Term 2010
WHAT SHE HAS TO SAY: “I came to WPI, not knowing what to expect. What I have gained is an invaluable insight into what it takes to be successful in the world today. I have been lucky enough to have met people as well as to have had experiences that motivate me to be the best I can be and to give back to the community.”
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NAME: Chietara Japutra
DEPARTMENT: Biochemistry with Music Minor '14
HOME COUNTRY: Indonesia
ACTIVITIES AT WPI: International Student Council (Secretary), WPI Newman Club (Vice President), Medwin Honors String Quartet (Lead violinist), WPI Strings Ensemble and Orchestra (Associate Concertmaster), WPI Dance Team, Badminton Club
WHAT SHE HAS TO SAY: “Attending WPI is like the best gift I have ever received in my life. I get to do what I enjoy doing, meet a lot of amazing people with different backgrounds, study what I always wanted to learn and most importantly, enjoy my life.”
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NAME: Kareem Francis
DEPARTMENT: Chemical Engineering ‘11
HOME COUNTRY: Jamaica
ACTIVITIES AT WPI: National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE); International Student Council (ISC); American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AICHE); Big Goat/Little Goat; Black Student Union (BSU); participant in WPI’s Excellence in Math, Science and Engineering Program (EMSEP); Recording Club; and Hispanic Caribbean Student Association.
WHAT HE HAS TO SAY: “WPI gave me an experience that was both diverse and gratifying. It allowed me to work with my peers to achieve goals that enabled me to become an essential member to any team and contribute my perspective on a situation. I also had life defining conversations with unique people that actually span most of the globe, which is the essence of having a world view, truly unforgettable.”
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NAME: Katerina Mangaroska
DEPARTMENT:School of Business, Department of Management, MSIT
HOME COUNTRY: Macedonia
ACTIVITIES AT WPI: Graduate Assistant, Conversation Partner, Fulbright Scholar
WHAT SHE HAS TO SAY: My country Macedonia needs an entrance in the global business community and young professionals with knowledge in design, technology and business that will lead and shape the future of the country. As a Fulbright scholar, and as an ambitious and determined individual, I am eager to create an opportunity for myself to become one of those young professional that will disseminate knowledge and implement state of the art business solutions to upgrade the knowledge of the theory and current practices that Macedonia already evolves with. WPI is my choice in succeeding with this. The MSIT program fits in neatly to what I need to strengthen the foundation of my career while enjoying the intellectual challenge at WPI.
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NAME: Elaheh Kamaloo
DEPARTMENT: Phd in Chemical Engineering ‘15
HOME COUNTRY: Iran
ACTIVITIES AT WPI:Student Support Network (SSN), WPI's Women's Network, Teaching Assistant in Chemical Engineering Department, American Institute of Chemical Engineers
WHAT SHE HAS TO SAY: “When I left my home country to pursue my academic career as a graduate student, I had no idea how enjoyable my life could be here, but in fact, with WPI's happy campus, you can easily be involved in different student activities and that will help you not feel homesick or tired of studying. There are always many friendly and kind people around that are ready to support and help you. I am really thankful for having the opportunity to communicate with other students from different countries and knowing their cultures and lifestyles to improve mine in the best way."
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