International Student Ambassador Volunteer Program
The International Student Ambassadors (ISA) at Bowling Green State University (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.
Benefits
The benefits of being an ISA 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 from International Programs & Partnerships
- 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
ISA volunteers must meet the following criteria:
- Be a student in good academic and immigration standing at BGSU
- Be available for various campus and community events throughout the year
- Be knowledgeable about his/her home country
- Possess a high level of enthusiasm for BGSU
- Demonstrate motivation
- Successfully complete ISA training
- Be outgoing and involved in campus activities
- Submit the following information about yourself to be used in marketing materials and at events: Your full name
- Class level/student type
- Major/degree program
- Hometown and country
- Languages that you speak
- Activities and honors
- Work experience
- Fun fact about you
- What activities are you involved in?
- Why did you want to be an International Student Ambassador?
- Favorite BGSU Memory
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.
Expectations
ISA volunteers are expected to attend monthly meetings with the International Programs & Partnerships advisor, as well as participate in the orientation program for new students each fall and spring semester. In addition, ISAs will attend a minimum of two events affiliated with International Programs & Partnership, and attend events such as the annual International Dinner and others upon invitation by International Programs & Partnerships.
Meet our Ambassadors
Contact an ambassador at ambassadors@bgsu.edu. As these students are active with their studies and extracurricular activities, please allow at least two business days for them to reply. Thank you!
Ayumi Sasaki
Hometown and home country: Montreal, Canada
Major: Finance or Accounting
Level: Undergraduate, Junior
Fun fact about you: I can speak French, Japanese, and English. I love K-pop and I danced at the 2017 Falcon Pageant
What activities are you involved in?:
I am a part of the BGSU women's tennis team. We have players and coaches from nine different countries, making us the most diverse team in BGSU athletics. I am also part of the We Are One Team Team Player program, where we are learning to become athletes and leaders who promote inclusion and create safe environments that engage and support diversity.
Why did you want to be an International Student Ambassador?:
I wanted to be an International Student Ambassador because I want to help current and new international students to adjust and feel like BGSU is their second home. When I came to BGSU as a 17 years old international student, I was worried and scared but the International Services helped me a lot in adjusting to this new college life. Therefore, I wanna give back by welcoming the newcomers and helping them have a wonderful experience, here in BGSU.
Favorite BGSU Memory:
There are so many memories at BGSU! The first week at International Orientation was amazing, where I made most of my friends and attended many BGSU events. I also love going to athletic events and support my friends! Most of the best memories are with my BGSU Women's tennis team, my second family.
Baqer Aljabr
Hometown and home country: Eastern Province, Alhasa City, Saudi Arabia
Major: Technology Management
Level: Masters
Fun fact about you: I love playing soccer, volleyball, traveling around the world and exploring new countries. Also, I like to read, cook, bake, biking and photography. I received my first camera when I was 12 years old and I have been a wedding photographer since 2007. I always volunteer and help at various events when I have free time.
What activities are you involved in?:
Tech ambassador
Technical leader in Falcon Robotics
Member in BGSU Club Figure Skating
Member in American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Member in The International Honorary for Professions in Technology (Epsilon Pi Tau)
Group leader in Cross Cultural Conversation Program
Active member in Alpha Phi Omega National Services Fraternity
Why did you want to be an International Student Ambassador?:
I want to share my experience with international students and help them to understand American customs. As an International Student Ambassador, I encourage my new friends to take advantage of the opportunities they will provide, get involved on campus to make friends, and to gain leadership skills.
Favorite BGSU Memory:
The E-Week, especially the Hatch event because I presented my own entrepreneurial idea on stage. Also, International Week because I was able to represent my country by carrying the flag in the stadium.
Jasper Tenga
Hometown and home country: Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
Major: Computer Science
Level: Undergraduate
Fun fact about you:
I can cook while juggling a football (soccer ball)
What activities are you involved in?:
Cross Cultural Conversation Connection (CCCC)
International Football Club
Orientation Week Group Leader (OWGL)
Bible Club
Why did you want to be an International Student Ambassador?:
I want to help new incoming International students feel at home away from home. It is sometimes difficult to be very far away from home, for some it is the first time too (being away from home), and being an International Student Ambassador means I can be someone who they can not only look up to but also someone they can come to if they need help with anything during their time at BGSU.
Favorite BGSU Memory: Going on a trip planned by International Programs and Partnership to a Cleveland Cavaliers game with friends on Easter Sunday
Ashkan Dastani
Hometown and home country: Hyderabad, India
Major: Computer science
Level: Junior
Fun fact about you:
I can make my eyebrows dance.
What activities are you involved in?:
I am an active member of a social fraternity "Tau Kappa Epsilon". I am also the Vice President of India Student Association.
Why did you want to be an International Student Ambassador?:
I wanted to become an international student ambassador because I believe that Bowling Green State University has given me a lot of opportunity to grow as a person and I would like to give back. I also wanted to become an ambassador because I was really fascinated by work done by the previous student ambassadors and the way they helped the new incoming students to find home away from their home in Bowling Green.
Favorite BGSU Memory:
Campus Fest and joining the fraternity Tau Kappa Epsilon are the best memories for me in BGSU.
Rafsanul Hoque
Hometown and home country: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Major: International/Intercultural Communication
Level: Graduate
Fun fact about you:
My friends and I have an organization in Bangladesh called the “Human Library Dhaka”, where we bring stories from diverse beliefs, cultures and backgrounds and create a conversational dialogue platform. We have created this platform or “library” of “human stories” to promote empathy and tolerance in society.
What activities are you involved in?:
I am a board member for the Student Advisory Council on Diversity and Inclusion (SACODI), and Vice-President of Social and Publicity Affairs at the Muslim Students Association (MSA) at BGSU.
Why did you want to be an International Student Ambassador?:
Coming to a new country with different cultures and values might feel a little daunting in the beginning. I want to be there for the international students so that they can start taking opportunities from the get-go, feel like they belong, and take leadership roles. Also, learning about new cultures and nations is fun. I want to share my culture and know about others as well.
Favorite BGSU Memory: The first time I tried Ice Skating!! Fell 8 times I think. The Ice Hockey games are always fun, and love the MSA potlucks.
Frankline Matanji
Hometown and home country: Mumias, Kakamega County, Kenya
Major: Media and Communications
Level: Graduate
Fun fact about you: I have memorized the first page of the novel: The Cruel Burden by Okoth Gonza since the year 2006.I also like volunteering, hiking, camping, playing and watching soccer.
What activities are you involved in?:
I am volunteering at First United Methodist Church in their food pantry program.
Why did you want to be an International Student Ambassador?:
Service to humanity is service to God. That’s the philosophy I believe in. I want to serve other international student fraternity and make them feel at home away from home just as I do because of how I was received by the friendly community here in BG. Ever since I came to BGSU, I have learnt a lot, made many memorable friends and having fascinating moments. I want to emulate the same and make sure that other international students especially our new Falcons treasure their moments here as well as a one united community.
Favorite BGSU Memory: BGSU’s 2017 homecoming was my favorite memory. It was a reunion of students, alumni, and friends. Plenty of games, Mascots Freddie and Frieda Falcon out and about, and the campus filled with the university’s colors of orange and brown for the tailgate parties. It was a week of its own kind.
Hiu Yan (Crystal) Lau
Hometown and home country: Hong Kong
Major: Speech-Language Pathology
Level: First-year Graduate student
Fun fact about you: I can say "I love you" in 8 languages! (Hint hint - great conversation starter!)
What activities are you involved in?:
While studying for my first graduate degree in Voice Performance, I was a member of the Opera Ensemble and the Collegiate Chorale. I also served as the Treasurer of the BGSU Chapter of Student National Association of Teachers of Singing (SNATS). It is such an honor to be able to start my second year as an International Student Ambassador! Outside of campus, I am also a Scholarship Singer at the First United Methodist Church, Bowling Green.
Why did you want to be an International Student Ambassador?:
Being an international student is not easy as it sounds - it takes a lot of physical and mental adjustments even before one sets foot into the States. I want to be a cheerleader for my fellow international students, by sharing my personal experience.
Favorite BGSU Memory:
I had a wonderful time during the New Student Orientation, especially the Spring Orientation! Our Ambassador team came up with many wonderful icebreaker games. We all laughed and had a fantastic time as we learned to play the "Samurai" game! On top of that, meeting with incoming International students is always a treat!
Sungjai Hong
Hometown and home country: Chuncheon city, S.Korea
Major: Sports Management
Level: Graduate
Fun fact about you: Currently a PEG instructor in BG
What activities are you involved in?:
Sports! Swimming, Badminton, Volleyball, Soccer, Skiing, Olympic Weightlifting, Bodyweight workouts
Why did you want to be an International Student Ambassador?: To repay the help I have received from others
Favorite BGSU Memory: Winning two intramural championships in one day
Franziska Wohlert
Hometown and home country: Berlin, Germany
Major: Business Administration with Specialization in Management, Minor: Entrepreneurship
Level: Undergraduate
Fun fact about you: I have been swimming longer than most of my team members have been alive
What activities are you involved in?:
WA1T, Entrepreneurship Club, Athletics (Student-Athlete)
Why did you want to be an International Student Ambassador?:
I wanted to give back and to make an impact at BGSU. I want to help other international students to make BGSU there second home like it is for me.
Favorite BGSU Memory:
Winning the 400 Individual Medley at MAC Championships here at BGSU
