International Student Ambassador Volunteer Program

The International Student Ambassadors (ISA) Program is designed to connect incoming international students with a group of current Global Falcons who can help new students learn about the life at Bowling Green State University (BGSU). The mission of the program is to help incoming students during their transition to the college life and American culture, as well as, provide guidance, support and resources to new students as the arrive to BGSU. 

The International Student Ambassadors at BGSU are a select group of knowledgeable, motivated, and enthusiastic international student leaders that assist International Programs & Partnerships in promoting BGSU and advocating for international student engagement on campus and in the greater Bowling Green community.  The ISA volunteers participate in events involving students, faculty, high-level administrators, and national and local community members.

2025 - 2026 International Student Ambassador Application

The application for the 2025 - 2026 International Student Ambassador will open early March 2025.

What are the Benefits?

The benefits of being an International Student Ambassador at BGSU include:

  • Interacting with International Programs & Partnerships leadership
  • Interacting with BGSU leadership and faculty
  • Interacting with BGSU student groups
  • Completing training in areas such as BGSU programs, application and admission processes, campus community, and digital and face-to face communication
  • Expanding your network of professionals by meeting prominent BGSU alumni, community members and international officials
  • “Giving back” to the community and the University and helping recruit future international students to BGSU
  • Participating in the International Student Orientation program to mentor and guide new students
  • Receiving a certificate of participation and letter of reference from International Programs & Partnerships Executive Director

An ISA volunteer who has successfully fulfilled his/her duties and continues as a BGSU student but chooses not to reapply as an ambassador may be selected as an Honorary International Student Ambassador by the decision of International Programs & Partnerships staff

Criteria

International Student Ambassadors must meet the following criteria:

1.      Must be a current international student who has completed at least one academic year at BGSU

2.      Be a student in good academic and immigration standing at BGSU

3.      Must have and maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher

4.      Must possess strong communication and interpersonal skills

5.      Must possess a high level of enthusiasm for BGSU

6.      Be available for various campus and community events throughout the year

7.      Must commit to participate in all the International Student Orientation programming during the fall and spring semesters

8.      Be knowledgeable about his/her home country

9.      Demonstrate motivation and professionalism

10.   Be outgoing and actively involved in campus activities and/or community activities

Application

The application process for ISA volunteers is selective and completed during the spring semester for a term that begins the subsequent academic year. Ambassadors serve one-year terms and are welcome to reapply for additional terms throughout their degree program at BGSU. The selection committee for ambassadors will be comprised of International Programs & Partnerships staff, as well as one outgoing ISA who is selected from the current ISA volunteers. Students who apply but are not selected are encouraged to participate as a member of the World Student Association (WSA), a student group devoted to promoting cultural exchange and awareness at BGSU. Experience with WSA or other student organizations can improve a student’s chances of being selected in the future as an ISA.

Apply Today!

Expectations/Responsibilities

International Student Ambassadors are expected to:

  1. Ambassadors are expected to hold this role for one academic year with the opportunity to re-apply for subsequent terms provided that all the qualifications and expectations have been successfully met by the student
  2. Attend the ISA meetings with the International Programs & Partnerships advisor
  3. Participate in the Ambassador training prior to International Student Orientation
  4. Participate in the orientation program for new students each fall and spring semester
  5. Participate in the International Student Ambassador Panel by sharing experiences of adjusting to the new culture to new international students during orientation
  6. Engage with new international students during Orientation and throughout the academic year
  7. Advocate for international student engagement on campus and in the greater Bowling Green community
  8. Maintain a positive attitude and reflect the model behavior of a campus leader
  9. Assist International Programs & Partnerships in promoting BGSU
  10. Assist International Programs and Partnerships with events programming during International Student Orientation and throughout the academic year
  11. Attend a minimum of three events affiliated with International Programs & Partnership each semester and attend events such as the annual International Dinner and others upon invitation by International Programs & Partnerships
  12. Encourage international students to reach out to our office with their questions or concerns
Beatrice

Beatrice Tonelli

Class Level: Second Year

Major/Minor: Applied Health Science/Pre-Physical Therapy 

Hometown: Pesaro, Italy    

Languages: Italian, English, Spanish   

Activates & Honors: Kappa Delta sorority member, Dean’s list fall ‘23   

Work Experience: Worked as a waitress and a tutor, currently working at the Slater Family Ice Arena 

Fun Fact: My elbows constantly crack every time I bend my arms, but I don’t feel it 

Why did you want to be an International Student Ambassador? I want international students who are far from home to find here at BGSU their new home and feel welcome and supported any time they need. 

Favorite BGSU Memory: My favorite memory is my first Hockey game ever. We don’t have hockey in my country, so when I first saw a game, I was surprised by how physical the sport was, but it’s one of the best games I went to since I’m here at BGSU.  

Chimdiogo-(2)

Chimdiogo Onyeani-Nwosu

Class Level: Graduate Student

Major/Minor: Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MA

Hometown: Lagos, Nigeria

Languages: Igbo, Pidgin, English

Activities & Honors: Graduate Student Senate Representative (CMHSC) 2022-2024, Vice-President (Nigerian Students Association, BGSU) 2023/2024, Emmanuel Award for International Students Scholarship recipient 2023 & 2024, International Student Ambassador 2023/2024

Work Experience: 
Worked in customer support and hospital administration for a cumulative of 6 years.
Graduate Research Assistant-I (CMHSC).
Graduate Research Assistant-II (Garrett Lee Smith Suicide Prevention grant).
Counseling Practicum Student, University of Toledo Counseling Center

Fun Fact: I am a self-taught artist; digital and traditional art.

Why did you want to be an International Student Ambassador? I want to be a resource for new international students, to help them establish a sense of belonging at BGSU, which I believe can promote mental health.

Favorite BGSU Memory: My first poster presentation at the MLK symposium 2023; I got the opportunity to share my research idea with folks from different educational and cultural backgrounds and get their feedback.

Danushka

Danushka Walisinghe

Class Level: Doctoral third year 

Major/Minor: Photochemical Sciences

Hometown: Gampaha, Sri Lanka  

Languages: Sinhalese and English

Activates & Honors: I took part in organizing the Ohio Photochemical Sciences Conference 2023 and I love photography.

Work Experience: Graduate Teaching Assistant at BGSU (2021 to present) 
Fun Fact: My full name has five parts, and they add up to 51 English letters altogether.

Why did you want to be an International Student Ambassador? I want to lend a hand to international students who are new to the USA and might not know the ropes yet. I want to offer them the same kind of friendly guidance I received from previous Ambassadors.   

Favorite BGSU Memory: My first international student orientation where I was greeted with such a warm welcome.

Desire-(2)

Desire Senam Okpattah

Class Level: Graduate Student

Major/Minor: Sociology PhD

Hometown: Anyako, Ghana

Languages: English, Ewe, & Twi

Activates & Honors:  
Cross-Cultural Conversation Connection Program (CCCC)  
Butler A. Jones Minority Award recipient. 

Work Experience: Graduate Teaching Assistant at BGSU (2021 to present)  
 
Fun Fact: I love sitcoms a little too much.

Why did you want to be an International Student Ambassador? I wanted to become an International Student Ambassador because I understood firsthand the challenges of being a new international student, and having gone through that experience myself, I have recognized the importance of having support and guidance during the transition period. Being an ambassador thus gives me the platform to be the bridge between International Student Services and new students, providing the support needed to thrive in their new environment.

Favorite BGSU Memory: One of my favorite BGSU memories was participating in the BG Holiday Parades alongside the International Student Services and President Rogers, proudly waving my country’s flag. It was a moment of unity and celebration, highlighting the diverse and inclusive community at BGSU.   

Duong-(Oliver)-(2)

Vu Thai Duong Dang

Class Level: Undergraduate / Sophomore

Major/Minor: Aviation Management and Operations & Mathematics, Specialization in Data Science

Hometown: Hanoi, Vietnam

Languages: Vietnamese, English, and German 

Activates & Honors:  
College of Technology, Architecture and Applied Engineering Dean’s List. 

I am a member of the Falcon Flight Team in which we participate in the flight competition every year and I am in the Support team. Also, I participated in Vietnamese Student Association, and I joined in many amazing events like Karaoke and Board Games Night, Lunar New Year, and Mid-Autumn Festival. 

I took part in Campus Fest, raised funds by cleaning the Ice Arena with VSA, joined in the BG Holiday Parade (I hold the Vietnam flag), and acted in the Lunar New Year twice. 

I like to play soccer, badminton, and basketball. 

Work Experience: Food Service Worker at the Falcon Nest (September 2022 – Present)

Ground Services Internship at Cat Bi International Airport, Hai Phong, Vietnam (Summer 2023)

Computer Specialist at Office of Bursar BGSU (October 2023 – Present) 
 
Fun Fact:
I swam 15 kilometers (9.32 miles) in 7 hours and 30 minutes. I flew on the longest flight in the world which from Singapore to New York JFK and it took 18 hours and 45 minutes. I have a super orange jacket which brings a lot of BGSU energy for me.    

Why did you want to be an International Student Ambassador? I want to pay it forward since BGSU has helped me so much since I first came here. Furthermore, I like to know more about different cultures, so it’s also happy to talk with people from different cultures and countries.    

Favorite BGSU Memory: My favorite BGSU memory is meeting with President Rodney K. Rogers and take a picture with him and Freddie and Frieda, everyone was so friendly.    

Isabelle (2)

Isabelle Laube

Class Level: Sophomore

Major/Minor: Business (Marketing Specialization)

Hometown: Burlington, Canada

Languages: English

Activates & Honors:  
BGSU Volleyball, Defensive Specialist
Member of the BGSU Honors College
Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Executive Board Treasurer
Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Volleyball Representative
Omicron Delta Kappa Honors Society, Beta Tau Chapter Member
Gottron Marketing Scholarship Recipient (2024)
The International Student Fund Scholarship Recipient (2024)
BGSU Dean’s List (2022-Present)
University Freshman Academic Scholarship Recipient (2022-Present)
BG Success Scholarship Recipient (2022-Present)


Work Experience: Honors College Peer Facilitator (BGSU): January 2024-May 2024
Camp Counsellor (Camp Mi-A-Kon-Da): June 2021-August 2021
Volleyball Coach (VolleyGirls): July 2018-August 2018  

Fun Fact: I am a certified lifeguard.  

Why did you want to be an International Student Ambassador? I want to be an International Student Ambassador because it is a great opportunity for me to assist in fostering a diverse, inclusive, and accepting environment at BGSU. Not only can I help introduce my fellow international students to the Bowling Green community, but this role is also an opportunity for personal growth, allowing me to develop my leadership and communication skills, as well as form relationships with students from a variety of cultural backgrounds.

Favorite BGSU Memory: My favorite memory from my time at BGSU is winning the MAC Championship in 2022.

Leston-(2)

Leston Enock Mwale

Class Level: First year graduate Student

Major/Degree Program: MEd Curriculum and Teaching

Hometown: Salima, Malawi

Languages: Chichewa and English

Activities & Honors: 2023 Embracing Global Conference Awardee, 2024 The Neil MacKinnon Sr. Scholarship Awardee

Work Experience: 3 years high school educator and a deputy principal, Mathematics Education graduate assistant

Fun Fact: Like tackling a complex equation, I persevere with determination and focus, striving for excellence in every task I undertake.

Why did you want to become an International Student Ambassador? It is a platform that can allow me to give hope to my fellow international students who seem to lose hope and make them believe they have found a community at BGSU.

What is your favorite BGSU memory? Interacting with kids at Toledo School of Arts math camp when they were asking me more about my country and Africa 

My-(3)

My Thanh Tran

Class Level: Sophomore

Major/Degree Program: Business Analytics & Intelligence, Supply Chain Management

Hometown: Da Nang, Vietnam

Languages: Vietnamese, English

Activities & Honors: Dean’s list, Emmanual Award for International Students

I took part in BG Community Holiday Parade, Campus Fest, and BGSU’s International Culture Activities/Events.

Work Experience: Teaching Assistant at BGSU Math Emporium, Supply Chain Management Intern

Fun Fact:  Milk tea/ boba is my favorite drink! I have a high standard for boba, and I love trying new boba places.

Why did you want to become an International Student Ambassador? 

I had a hard time when I first came to BGSU, everything was so strange compared to my expectation, but the International Office helped me a lot to overcome it, especially the International Ambassadors. I would love to be an ambassador to help the students that may face the same experience as me.

What is your favorite BGSU memory? 

My favorite BGSU Memory is the Lunar New Year 2024 (Tet) that was hosted by Vietnamese Student Association.

Que-(3)

Que Dan Truong

Class Level: Sophmore

Major/Degree Program: THEM – Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management

Hometown: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Languages: Vietnamese and English

Activities & Honors: Dean List’s

Performing and choreographing a dance performance in Lunar New Year Celebration

Planning and preparing in lots of events of VSA such as Lunar New Year Celebration, Star Lantern Handmade Workshop, etc

Work Experience: Social Media Managing Member of executive board of VSA – Vietnam Student Association

Fun Fact: My Vietnamese name is Que and it means Cinnamon in English. However, I don’t like cinnamon. 

Why did you want to become an International Student Ambassador? 

I am an International Student and I know how difficult it is to get through that first journey to BGSU and since I received lots of help from ISA 2023-2024, I really want to support new international students. Moreover, I want to learn more about other countries’ culture so being an International Student Ambassador will provide lots of knowledge to me. 

What is your favorite BGSU memory? 

With me, every second I attend at BGSU are my favorite memories but the most unforgettable memories with me are preparing and celebrating Lunar New Year Event with VSA. That was my first-time planning and getting ready for a big event like that and I was extremely happy to perform and introduce my culture to BGSU’s students and faculties. 

Yuseok

Yuseok Jeong

FULL NAME: Yuseok Jeong

CLASS LEVEL: Undergraduate

DEGREE PROGRAM: Aviation (Flight Technology and Operations)

HOMETOWN: Seoul, South Korea 

LANGUAGES: Korean, English

ACTIVITIES & HONORS: 

Dean’s list

WORK EXPERIENCE: 

Learning commons Tutor

FUN FACT: I'm a huge fan of extreme sports. 

Why did you want to be an international student ambassador? Share my experience to people who never been to US.

Favorite BGSU Memory: First orientation 

Updated: 04/25/2024 09:28AM