International Students Stories: Recent Episodes
UW CIRCLE
Inspired by Uniters of UW, the CIRCLE office created this project to recognize the day-to-day hardships international students overcome and to celebrate the moments that define success for them.
Isolated, rainy Covid-19 Seattle winter definitely was a common theme for all of us. Especially for Hao, someone who is social and outgoing, Covid-19 winter meant changing his approaches when it comes to finding a community and to grow as a leader. With the right mindset and his sunny wallpaper of Malaysia, he was slowly able to overcome the sad rainy winter and enhance his experience at UW.
“When COVID-19 started, I was really scared of the uncertainty of being able to come back to the U.S. or not. If I were to go home, I was afraid something could happen to my I-20, visa, or anything that would interfere with the legality of me staying in the United States.” - Fatma Alkhamees, Kuwait
Fatma is one of many international students at UW that has to worry and double check her legal status to stay in the U.S. so she can complete her studies and get her degree under her student visa. When Covid-19 shook the world and forced borders to close, Fatma had to stay in the United States, 15 hours away from her parents and her support systems.
“ My experience is very similar to that of other international students, where going back home and going to that original support system is very hard; it can be expensive, tiring, and time consuming.”
Listen to her story to hear how she was able to find a support system at UW and get through the unprecedented times.
"I have the body, accent, and the face of Caucasian American, but I very much feel like an immigrant."
Bryce is a Swiss-American born, where he grew up in Geneva, Switzerland. He grew up with American parents in very British Schooling systems in the Suisse-Romande (french-speaking region) of Switzerland. His identity has been really been ubiquitous over the past 3 years, especially in the face of some of the challenges at UW, but he pretty firmly identifies himself as an Anglophone global Citizen!
Listen to Bryce's journey in this episode!
Imagine taking classes at 3 am? Imagine being not able to sleep for 3 days straight during the finals week because of the time differences. International students already face challenges of culture shock, joining communities, and adapting to new environments when they are on campus. But what struggles our international students face during pandemic?
Naisha is international student from India and she tells us her story. She was able to experience the difficulties of connecting with people, taking classes at night, and coping with feelings of isolation. Her courage to change the status quo pf her life allowed her join new clubs and represent her culture proudly though dance. She was able to overcome the challenges that many international students face today during the pandemic.
“Am I Indian or am I American?”
Vikram was born in America, but grew up in India. He grew up speaking Hindi, watching Bollywood movies, and listening to Indian songs. By the time he came to the U.S to attend UW, he knew he was not American as his passport said, at least not culturally. However, this did not stop him. He decided to embrace both of his identities and went to play cards with his Saudi Arabian buddies, learn pick up lines from his Brazilian friends, and learn about different ethnic groups in East Africa from his Eritrean friend. He chose to grow and broaden his perspective by simple saying “hi” to a friend eating at Local Point food court.
Listen to his story to hear about his experience as a American citizen, spending most of his time in India and coming back to UW.
"I don't want to go back to Seattle. Should I just stay in Rio? "
That is what freshmen Luiz said, but not anymore. Though he struggled a little in the beginning to find friends and community at UW, today Luiz has successfully has made UW his home. In this episode, Luiz takes us to his experience of being an international student at UW. We will hear his willingness to step out of his comfort zone to find friends, community, and a support system at UW.
Luiz Fernando Saade Porto spent his first 19 years of life in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and the last three and a half years in Seattle studying at UW. Luiz is a senior studying Economics with a minor in Informatics and a passion for data science. At the university, he spent more than two years as part of Unite UW, a program that connects domestic and international students and that helped me find his community and home at UW. Some of his hobbies include hanging out with his housemates and friends, playing the bass guitar, hiking, traveling, and truly learning about different cultures by experiencing them.
Join Greek Life or join the Thai Student Association or maybe even both? Today, for our Valentine's day episode, we have Pum and Aries, leaving their legacy behind through their bravery and love. They came to the U.S. in their freshman year for the first time and they were able to bond over their shared problems of finding a dorm to stay in. Both of them decided to join the Thai Student Association and were able to find a shared connection through their Thai culture. Thus, they both were able to expand their social circle through this shared experience, not just by joining the Thai Student Association, but also by exploring their interests and joining different clubs later on with local students. Their discomfort of going out of their comfort zone and trying new things was their currency for their growth. ``
Listener’s Note
“Hi! My name is Aries Wangbunyen, I was born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand and studied there my entire life before coming to Seattle for college! I am currently a senior studying Economics with a minor in environmental studies at the UW. Being at UW has offered me opportunities to engage and become part of communities which helped me grow and learn as a student/person. As an international student, I am glad to have made valuable connections with people which continue to grow, and unforgettable memories to cherish and look back at. Thank you to all those who have been part of my journey!” - Aries Wanbunyen, 2021
“Hello, I am Pum Lamsam, a senior majoring in Communication with a minor in Informatics. Bangkok, Thailand is my home country, but I got sent to a boarding school in the UK when I was just eleven years old. I was there for eight years before coming over to Seattle for a college education. From this transition, I have adopted many new traits and skills by adapting to the new environment, learning a new culture, and meeting many fascinating people. Overall, I am very satisfied with my decision of coming to Seattle, and the past three years here have transformed me into a better person.” - Pum Lamsam, 2021
For this episode, meet Tiffany Tian, an international student from Beijing, China. She is an undergraduate student majoring in Economic and ACMS at the University of Washington.
She is a strong young lady, who grew up in China and spent her high school experience in the U.S. Despite being one of the international students in her high school, she learned to embrace and represent herself by getting involved with different clubs and activities. Currently, she is the Vice President for International Student Mentorship Program and WEGET magazine.
Her story resembles a strong leadership to represent international students at UW.
Listen the beautiful story of Maha Alhomoud, an international student from Saudi Arabia and an undergraduate senior in Political Economy at the University of Washington.
She is a strong young lady, a cancer survivor of two years now and a passionate advocate for international student inclusion and representation. She has been involved with ASUW and the international student community for over a year now, and she is aiming to leave UW having established the first ASUW International Students Office of Advocacy and Engagement.
Her story resembles incredible resilience and determination to not let her blood cancer affect her and her studies at UW. Through her leadership, she advocates for many international students on the UW campus.