International Student Ambassadors
International student ambassadors are current Mizzou students who are here to answer your questions. Our international students come from many different countries, speak a variety of languages, and pursue various majors and interests on campus. Ambassadors are knowledgeable about all aspects of Mizzou: degree programs, student clubs, dining halls, arriving in Columbia — you name it. They are excited to talk to you and help you become a Tiger, too. Please feel free to contact anyone below.
Vishvi
Hometown: Ahmedabad
Home country: India
Major: Biological Sciences, Physics
Languages I speak: English, Hindi, Gujarati, Sanskrit
- Why I chose my major: I am kind of a science person and I think there are so many issues and problems in healthcare which have no defined or specific cure. I wish to make an impact for welfare within the same.
- Favorite campus location: The Columns/the Quad
- Favorite study spot on campus: Bookmark Café in Ellis Library
Guilherme
Hometown: São Paulo
Home country: Brazil
Major: Digital Storytelling
Languages I speak: Portuguese, English, Spanish
- Favorite Mizzou memory: Living in Hatch Hall my first year at Mizzou.
- Why I picked my major: I really like the communication, advertising and digital media universes. Also, I am a video game enthusiast and, in the future, I plan to work with developing and designing games.
- Favorite class taken: My favorite class so far was 3D Materials and Methods where I could create art pieces with my own hands. Everything I brainstormed became reality after some hard work. The results were amazing.
- Fun facts about me: I love to grow ornamental plants, especially cacti. And do not forget my passion for videogames, particularly Mario Kart.
Yuxi
Hometown: Xian
Home country: China
Major: Journalism
Languages I speak: Chinese, English, French
- Why did you choose Mizzou: I chose Mizzou for several reasons. First off, my dream is to be a war correspondent, and Mizzou provides a top-notch journalism education with real-life opportunities. Secondly, I love the traditional campus of Mizzou and believe the atmosphere can help me to develop personally and also in academic studies. Last but not least, I felt the strong humanistic care of Mizzou while I was making my decision. Everyone involved in my application process was always willing to help.
- What were you excited about and/or nervous about before you left your home country: I was afraid that I wouldn’t make any friends, because I am not that outgoing and I don’t enjoy party life so much. But I was wrong because there are all kinds of culture organizations for international students and different types of social activities for everyone.
- Are you involved in any research on campus: I am now researching about art journalism for my class and doing interviews with the art and archeology museum in our School. The museum completely shocked me with its incredible collection.
Fatima
Hometown: Qatif
Home country: Saudi Arabia
Major: Industrial Engineering
Languages I speak: Arabic, English
- Food from home that I miss the most: Shawarma
- What impresses me about Mizzou: The beauty of the campus
- My on-campus job: I work at Campus Dining
- An interesting fact about me: Prior to enrolling as an Industrial Engineering student, I studied English with the Intensive English Program on campus.
Leah
Hometown: Seoul
Home country: South Korea
Major: Speech, Language, and Hearing Science
Languages I speak: English, Korean
- Favorite class taken: Contemporary Health Issues class because you get to learn about factors that influence and shape the U.S. health care system, and trust me, it is very interesting.
- Favorite campus location: Our Student Center! If you explore around, you will find good spots to eat, rest, and study.
- Fun facts about me: I used to have a strong Irish accent, because I lived there before. I also lived in Korea, Singapore, and New York before moving to CoMo. Also, I used to be a flight attendant!
Janice
Hometown: Kuala Lumpur
Home country: Malaysia
Major: Psychology
Languages I speak: Mandarin, English, Malay, Hokkien, learning Japanese
- Why I chose my major: I chose psychology because I am interested in understanding people and understanding myself. Psychology knowledge makes me more objective while interacting with others.
- Five words to describe Mizzou: Supportive, opportunity, diversity, joyful, caring
- Favorite quote: I think therefore I am.
- Fun fact about me: I worked as a mascot at someone's wedding dinner.
Will
Hometown: São Paulo
Home country: Brazil
Major: Biochemistry
Languages I speak: Portuguese, English
- Why I chose Mizzou: I’ve been a Mizzou student for a long time. During my time in high school back in Brazil, I was already taking MU classes and I felt in love with this place ever since.
- Favorite Mizzou memory: First day I saw the Columns and Jesse Hall in person.
- Favorite experiential learning opportunity: FRIPS (Freshman Research in Plant Sciences) has been the most amazing experience and opportunity that Mizzou made possible. It let me work in a research lab right from my first semester of classes.
- Fun fact about me: I love learning new languages, and my next goal is Italian, so if you know some, please come talk to me.
Imane
Hometown: Biscarrosse
Home country: France
Major: Journalism
Languages I speak: French, English
- Biggest surprise about coming to Mizzou: The campus is a botanical garden which makes walking to class so much more enjoyable.
- Favorite study spot on campus: Studying at Ellis Library makes you feel like you're in a movie.
- Favorite Mizzou tradition: Homecoming week—the parade, the house decorations in Greek Town, and the football game!
Jose
Hometown: Villanueva
Home country: Honduras
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Languages I speak: Spanish, English
- Favorite Mizzou memory: Making my way downtown to the International Center at Memorial Union and running into my childhood friend, Camila, after a decade. Camila and I talked about the memories that made us who we are and what awaits us at Mizzou. To this day, we are still catching up. Truly, a memory that will last for life.
- Favorite study spot on campus: Any place that has a coffee shop, but Lafferre Hall and Ellis Library are the way to go.
- Five words to describe Mizzou: Heart of the Great Midwest.
- Why I chose my major: I am majoring in Biomedical Engineering. My initial plan was to study medicine, but the concept of blending engineering into medicine fascinated me. Thus, applying both branches to the real-world sounds like a challenge, but the possibilities are endless.
- Fun fact about me: I believe the Star Wars sequels were good, but not as good as the originals and prequels, hands down; Kylo Ren and Obi-Wan are my favorite characters.