Michael Sweeney
Communication Studies & Psychology
Class of 2022
Where are you from? Kingston, MA
Where have you traveled to? Mexico and The Bahamas
Where in the world do you most want to visit and why? I would like to visit Japan the most. I find Japanese culture to be absolutely fascinating, and I think it's a beautiful looking country. Cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto I'd find absolutely breathtaking in-person. Other places I would love to visit would be South Korea, China, France, Switzerland, Italy, and Greece.
Why did you become an International Orientation Leader? I became an International Orientation Leader because I love to make new friends and helping people adapt to a new environment. By joining a few culture clubs on campus, I've met more international students, and have increased my interest in learning about other cultures. I also have friends who've worked with or have made friends with many of the international students and say that it's a wonderful experience. I'd love to help people adjust to the campus life, and I also believe that I'll learn a lot along the way.
What are you most excited about for this new semester? I'm most excited to meet new people from all over the world. I'm also excited to start my classes. I'm taking Korean, which is my first ever language class on campus. I'd love to learn a new language, so I'm excited!
Sash Voitcekhovskaia
Accounting & Finance
Class of 2022
Where are you from? I am from Russia.
Where have you traveled to? I have traveled to Ukraine, Slovakia, Poland, Austria, Belarus, England, Ireland, Malta, Turkey, 26 states of the USA.
Where in the world do you most want to visit and why? I want to visit Switzerland. I want to see the nature, especially Alps.
Why did you become an International Orientation Leader? 3 years ago I came to America for the first time in my life. It was stressful even to think about going so far away alone; however, I was happy to be welcomed and accepted to a new family. So I have an experience of being a new international student. I want new students to feel that they are not alone. We are a big family who is ready to support and help any time.
What are you most excited about for this new semester? The most exciting thing for me is meeting new people.
Jonathan Opio
Computer Science
Class of 2023
Where are you from? Uganda.
Where have you traveled to? I have travelled to all major continents but South America and Australia.
Where in the world do you most want to visit and why? I would love to travel to Portugal because I love the culture and I speak the language!
Why did you become an International Orientation Leader? I loved the reception I received from the international community at BSU and wanted to pay it forward!
What are you most excited about for this new semester? I will be halfway done with my Master's program and will also be a Graduate Assistant. Looking forward!
Yuvraj Chandra
Computer Science
Class of 2023
Where are you from? Born in Massachusetts, raised in Gurgaon, India.
Where have you traveled to? Traveled to six continents except Antarctica.
Where in the world do you most want to visit and why? I want to visit China the most to experience another old culture.
Why did you become an International Orientation Leader? I became an International Orientation Leader to meet new people, from exciting places and learn from their experiences of coming to the states.
What are you most excited about for this new semester? I am most excited about to keep in touch with all the new students I met through the academic year!
Eniola Ogunbayo
Management
Class of 2026
Where are you from? Nigeria
Where have you traveled to? Italy, the United Kingdom, Dubai, Atlanta, and Texas (USA)
Where in the world do you most want to visit and why? I want to visit Italy again because I love the ambiance, food and culture.
Why did you become an International Orientation Leader? I became an International Orientation Leader because I'm an international student, so I have first-hand experience on how it feels being an international student and I see this opportunity to help other students in my position with adapting to their new environment. I also love helping people and making them happy, so this the perfect opportunity for that.
What are you most excited about for this new semester? This semester I'm excited to meet new people, make new friends and experience new things.
Qihui Feng
PreK-12
Class of 2023
Where are you from? Guangdong, China
Where have you traveled to? Japan, Vietnam, San Francisco (USA), Hong Kong, Macau, and a number of major cities within China.
Where in the world do you most want to visit and why? The country I would most like to visit is New Zealand. I like to stand in place where I can see the ocean from all sides. I like the place where I can see the sea.
Why did you become an International Orientation Leader? Before the last semester started I missed a lot of activities in out international department and missed a lot of opportunities to get to know and interact with everyone. Becoming and IOL allows me to have more opportunities to get to know everyone. As an international student I have a good understanding of the status and situation of other international students. So I can use this opportunity to help students who had the same experience as me.
What are you most excited about for this new semester? Becoming an IOL and have the opportunity to meet more classmates and friends.