Meet the 2021-22 Global Ambassador Mentors

Meet Your Program Coordinators

Ritz Tolentino sits overlooking a night city skyline with skyscrapers in the background. He wears his black hair cropped close at the sides and longer on top. He wears a black shirt under a black leather jacket.

Ritz Tolentino

From: Dubai, UAE and the Philippines

Major: Neurobiology, physiology, and behavior; anthropology minor

Year: Third

Languages spoken: English, Filipino, Ilocano

Pronouns: he/him

Learn more

  • Biography
  • I was born in a mountainous province in the Philippines and lived my childhood years in multiple places in the country. My time there shaped my cultural identity and formed strong bonds with my family. After third grade, I moved to Dubai, where I lived with my parents and my sister. There, I developed my passions, views, beliefs, and values that continue to expand as I spend my time here at UC Davis and in California. I can’t wait for the new memories and experiences that await!
  • My hobbies
  • I’ve loved playing the piano and reading books ever since I was in middle school. During holidays and school breaks, I love traveling, going on road trips, and, recently, doing outdoor activities with friends and family. On chiller days, you may catch me watching movies/series on Netflix, listening to music, or sleeping.
  • My favorite things

  • Music: I usually listen to a variety of music genres from R&B, alternative, pop, etc., to classical music. My favorite classical music composers are Mozart, Chopin, and Rachmaninov.

    Food: I love eating, so this is a difficult choice. Right now, I crave pasta.

    TV shows: Again a difficult choice. "Game of Thrones," "Friends," "How To Get Away With Murder," "Mindhunter," "Black Mirror," "Orange Is the New Black," "Sherlock Holmes," "The Alienist," etc.

    Movies: I love movies based on real life such as "The Imitation Game," "Philadelphia," "On the Basis of Sex," "Room," "The Theory of Everything," etc.

    Books: So many good books in different genres. Some that I love are "The Vegetarian," "The Book Thief," "The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavander," "Dark Matter," and "All the Light We Cannot See."

    Place I’ve traveled: Barcelona.

  • My passions

  • I’m passionate about the pursuit of knowledge. To me, learning is more than just to diversify perspective but to humble us and to prompt us to act. I also have a kindling passion for serving marginalized communities and giving back. I believe everyone has the power to enact change in the society they live in.

  • A message to current and future mentees
  • Hello, mentees! I’m so excited to welcome you all to campus and to the international student community. I can’t wait to get to know you and hear your stories! Remember that the Global Ambassador Mentorship Program is a safe and fun space for you and your friends. I look forward to all the laughs we will share in our future events and interactions this school year!
  • Fun fact about me
  • I can read and write in Arabic! And I’m also scared of birds (please keep the turkeys on campus away from me).

 

Phoebe Wang smiles slightly to the camera. She wears a dark button-up shirt over a white T-shirt, and her long brown hair has been lightened.

Phoebe Wang

From: USA

Major:  Food science

Year: Fourth

Languages spoken: English, Mandarin

Pronouns: she/her

Learn more

  • Biography
  • I was born and raised in the Bay Area of California for most of my childhood and spent two years in Shanghai, China. I like to call myself a “cultural explorer” and always enjoy meeting people of various backgrounds. When I’m on campus, you’ll usually find me studying at the Student Community Center or Shields Library. I consider myself an ambivert and sometimes a homebody, but I am also always down to go on a coffee or boba run. I love taking strolls around downtown and visiting the Farmers Market on the weekend as well!
  • My hobbies
  • I like to spend my free time baking sweets for friends and family, playing with my dog Luna, sitting outside when the weather is nice, watching movies, and playing video games with my brother.
  • My favorite things
  • Coffee/matcha lattes, crunchy peaches, gummy candies, any Studio Ghibli movie, "Selling Sunset"(on Netflix), "Goblin" (the Korean drama), Kpop/Krnb. 
  • My passions
  • I am passionate about learning new things, especially other cultures and languages, and making the space around me a more culturally inclusive space.
  • A message to current and future mentees
  • I am here for you and I hope I can help make your transition into Davis a little easier and a bit more fun! Don’t hesitate to reach out to me with questions or even just to hang out and chat. I look forward to meeting you and getting to know you!
  • Fun fact about me
  • I have never broken a bone before!

Meet Your Mentors

Haley Ali wears a navy UC Davis hoodie with the words "UC Davis" in white lettering across the chest. She lounges in a white chair and smiles at the camera. Her head is turned slightly to her left, revealing a silver stud earring in her right ear. Her short black hair is longer on top and closely cropped on the sides.

Haley Ali 

From: California, USA 

Major: Genetics

Year: Third year

Languages spoken: English, conversational Spanish

Pronouns: she/her

Learn more

  • Biography
  • I grew up in the East Bay of Northern California. As of right now, my career interests are in biotech and healthcare. I've always been an inquisitive and friendly person and I'm not afraid to take charge and step up to get the job done.
  • My hobbies
  • My interests include reading, watching random documentaries, traveling, finding new music, playing golf, and watching sci-fi.
  • My favorite things
  • I like reading nonfiction and watching sci-fi. In terms of music, I enjoy alternative indie and pop, 70s and 80s country-rock and pop, afrobeats, Broadway, and standard pop. 
  • My passions
  • I'm passionate about making real connections with people and learning as much as I can about the world before I sign out of this life. For me, that means traveling, watching films, and reading. 
  • A message to current and future mentees
  • I'm looking forward to making your experience here as positive and as joyful as possible. 
  • Fun fact about me
  • I don't like cheesecake.

 

Hashem Bkayrat stands against a white background as he smiles at the camera. He wears a blue checked blazer over a white collared shirt. His dark hair is groomed short.

Hashem Bkayrat

From: Jordan and USA 

Major: Biomedical engineering

Year: Second year

Languages spoken: Arabic, English

Pronouns: he/him

Learn more

  • Biography
  • I was born in Erlangen, Germany. I grew up in the states of Georgia and California. I spent all of my adolescent years in the Middle East across Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Jordan. So it's safe to say I am a third culture kid. I also like to stay active and explore new ideas all the time.
  • My hobbies
  • I like to exercise, skate, read, and watch movies in my spare time.
  • My favorite things
  • I love listening to music, watching movies, and reading books. Mystery and science fiction are my favorite book and movie genres. Some of my favorite genres of music are skate rock, pure pop, and g-funk.
  • My passions
  • I am passionate about my journey to committing my time and effort to serve others in whichever way is possible.
  • A message to current and future mentees
  • I hope that this program will help make new connections, meet people from all walks of life, help maintain the international culture at Davis and most importantly, be fun for everyone.
  • Fun fact about me
  • I like to practice the violin.
Odelia Chong stands at cliffs overlooking the ocean on an overcast day. She holds a camera that hangs around her neck, and wears round sunglasses, a black baseball cap that says in white lettering "I can't even," and a yellow hoodie.

Odelia Chong

From: Singapore 

Major: Neurobiology, physiology and behavior

Year: Second year

Languages spoken: English, Mandarin

Pronouns: she/her

Learn more

  • Biography
  • Growing up in Singapore, I've been exposed to many different cultures, foods, and languages. I grew up appreciating and celebrating holidays like Chinese New Year, Deepavali, and Hari Raya. I moved to America when I was ten, and since I lived in the Bay Area, I was exposed to a predominantly Asian community. However, I got to learn more about the American culture during my time here as well and got to experience many different American traditions in school! 
  • My hobbies
  • I love spending my free time watching movies, reading, fixing puzzles, going on hikes, or exercising or learning a kpop dance. Recently, I’ve also been getting into pilates more as I find it to be really enjoyable. 
  • My favorite things
  • Music: Day6, TWICE, BTS, Seventeen, Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez
    Food: Puttu Mayam, Mee Siam, Duck Rice, Chili Crab
    TV Shows: "Dexter," "Orange," "Black" (k-drama), "Attack on Titan," "Paradise Kiss"
  • My passions
  • I'm passionate about helping people from disadvantaged backgrounds and children who are mistreated. I want to give back to my community and try to help using the resources that are available to me. I believe that getting a better education for everyone is crucial for us in order to see progress in the future. 
  • A message to current and future mentees
  • I look forward to learning new cultures and traditions through the activities we will be hosting! 
  • Fun fact about me
  • I love collecting pressed pennies from each location I go to!

 

Abdallah Hashem stands in front of a replica of a NASA rocket. He wears a black button-up collared shirt with a light white floral pattern worn with rolled cuffs and open and a T-shirt with the seal of a satellite system on the front in black. He smiles at the camera. His black hair is textured and worn short, and he has AirPods in his ears and wears black rectangular-framed glasses.

Abdallah Hashem

From: Egypt, United Arab Emirates

Major: Electrical engineering

Year: Fourth

Languages spoken: Arabic, English

Pronouns: he/him

Learn more

  • Biography
  • Born and raised in Cairo, Egypt, and studied K-12 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Passionate to pursue a career in the electrical engineering industry. 
  • My hobbies
  • I play basketball, soccer, volleyball, ping pong, swimming, and video games sometimes.
  • My favorite things
  • Eminem, "The Power of Habit," the fifth dripline. 
  • My passions
  • I'm passionate about creating a positive change in the world through my field.
  • A message to current and future mentees
  • I'm looking forward to getting to know the mentee's culture, background, and unique identities. I believe that we will be learning a lot with my mentees.
  • Fun fact about me
  • I've lived on three different continents throughout my life so far.

 

 

Mangurleen Kaur smiles slightly to the camera and stands in profile in front of a stone castle wall. She wears a white T-shirt and acid wash blue jeans. Her black hair is long and straight, and hangs down her back in a low ponytail.

Mangurleen Kaur

From: India, specifically from Punjab (Northern State)

Major: Biological sciences

Year: Third

Languages spoken: English, Hindi, Punjabi

Pronouns: she/her

Learn more

  • Biography
  • I grew up in India, completed my education until my junior year of high school there, and then moved to the United States and graduated from a school in Lodi, Calif. After that, I got into UC Davis and am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in biological sciences. I am from the Punjabi community, specifically, I relate myself to the Sikh community. I have been interested in science since my sophomore year of high school and that led me to get interested in medicine. Now I am working toward getting into the medical field. 
  • My hobbies
  • Mostly, I spend my free time with my family and going out with them. I love to listen to Hindi, Punjabi, and English songs in my spare time. I also love traveling to new places. One of my other hobbies is hiking, sitting, and observing the beautiful mother nature. 
  • My favorite things
  • My favorite show right now is "Grey's Anatomy." Currently, my favorite song is "At My Worst" by Pink Sweats. My favorite food is Indian fast food such as Golgappa, Rajmah Chawal (Kidney beans curry with rice) and so much more. 
  • My passions
  • I am passionate about the academic or career goals in my life. Along with that, I am also passionate about self-development so that I can be a better version of myself. I also love music and planning to minor in music. 
  • A message to current and future mentees
  • I would like to welcome all of the mentees to UC Davis. I am very much looking forward to getting to know my mentees and growing a good relationship that lasts beyond this program. I just want to tell you all that I have been through the transition from a different country to the United States, and I want you to know that I will do my best to help you in a smooth transition. I am excited to meet y’all in person and do fun stuff and make this part of our lives memorable. 
  • Fun fact about me
  • I don't believe in the existence of ghosts or specter-like things, but I love watching horror movies. 
Eindra Khine smiles in a selfie taken in the natural light outdoors against trees as the backdrop. She wears a green sleeveless blouse with a bow on the front, small gold hoop earrings, and her black hair is worn straight and long over her right shoulder.

Eindra Khine

From: Myanmar

Major: Sociology

Year: Fourth 

Languages spoken: Burmese (Fluent), English, Spanish (Basic),

Pronouns: she/her

Learn more

  • Biography
  • Hello, my name is Eindra (pronounced "N-Dra"), and I am a fourth-year transfer student studying sociology with a minor in public health! My family is from Myanmar, and we immigrated to the U.S. when I was four years old. I have family spread all across the world. Some are still in Myanmar, some in Singapore, and a couple in the U.K.! When I was younger, I also moved around a lot and lived in five different states, including New York, South Carolina, Minnesota, Michigan, and California. Out of all the states I have lived in, I think California is my favorite! 
  • My hobbies
  • During my free time, I enjoy catching up with friends and spending time with family. I also like to go swimming and hiking, catch up on my Netflix shows, create some art (drawing and painting), do photography and a little bit of videography, improve my cooking and baking skills, explore new places, or just relax. 
  • My favorite things
  • Honestly, I love trying anything new! However, some of my favorite foods include boba, ramen, In-N-Out, vermicelli noodles, mint chocolate chip ice cream, anything and everything. I also love trying out different cuisines.

    For movies and TV shows, I'm into action, adventure, and romantic comedies (terrified of horror movies, though). I like "Modern Family," "Friends," "Keeping Up with the Kardashians," Korean dramas, Chinese dramas, and more.

    As for my music taste, I mostly listen to alternative rock, pop, some R&B, and some Burmese and Korean songs. 
  • My passions
  • I am passionate about giving back to the community and helping those who are underserved or in need of care. For the longest time, I have always wanted to be a pediatrician. When I was younger, we would go back to Myanmar often. I saw children under the age of 12 working in busy streets. They were trying to earn money by selling newspapers, snacks, or water bottles. Then, there were teenagers carrying heavy rice bags or those big, gallon-sized water jugs on their shoulders with sweaty faces and torn clothes. It was eye-opening and made me realize how fortunate and privileged I was. Those moments were where I decided I wanted a career that focused on children and provided them care and resources.
  • A message to current and future mentees
  • As a transfer student, I only have two years at UC Davis. I wish I had more time to meet new people and take advantage of all the opportunities that Davis gives us. I can't wait to meet my future mentees and help them make a smooth transition into university life!
  • Fun fact about me
  • I am double-jointed in both my thumbs.
Youngyun Kim smiles as she stands outdoors at night. She wears a sleeveless black dress and a delicate gold necklace. Her long black hair is work straight and down.

Youngyun Kim

From: United States of America

Major: Economics, mathematics

Year: Third

Languages spoken: English, Japanese (Basic), Korean

Pronouns: she/her

Learn more

  • Biography
  • I am from the south of the Bay Area. I speak English and Korean fluently, and Japanese at a basic level. If you are looking for someone to watch K-drama or Korean TV shows together, that's me! This will be my third year at UC Davis, and I lived in the residence hall prior to the pandemic. If you need help academically or in regard to the dorm, you can also come to me! 
  • My hobbies
  • I love watching Netflix and Korean drama! Sometimes, I make cookies and cupcakes for fun. Recently, I have been trying to work out and stay healthy during my free time. 
  • My favorite things
  • My favorite Netflix shows are "The Good Place," "You," and "The Umbrella Academy." I like to listen to pop songs. 
  • My passions
  • I love helping other people and contributing to others' success. Since high school, I have always been volunteering, tutoring, and working for others who need assistance. 
  • A message to current and future mentees
  • The program creates not only the mentor-mentee relationship but also friendship! I look forward to meeting and being a long-lasting friend with the mentees. 
  • Fun fact about me
  • I like collecting stuffed animals.
Margaret Castañeda Lee photographed smiling on stage at an event. She wears her black hair pulled back in a low bun, a blue jacket over a black jumpsuit, a green lanyard, and a microphone headset over her left ear.

Margaret "Macy" Lee

From: Manila, Philippines 

Major: Psychology, international relations 

Year: Third

Languages spoken: English, Mandarin, Tagalog

Pronouns: she/her

Learn more

  • Biography
  • I'm Macy, a student speaker, writer, and activist. I'm Filipino Chinese Korean and have lived in over five countries in Southeast Asia, like Singapore and Hong Kong. I'm very happy to be living here in Northern California and exploring what lies ahead for me and can't wait to spread the Aggie spirit to my future mentees! 
  • My hobbies
  • I'm a very active person: I enjoy skiing, playing tennis, surfing and more! I also am very into art and media. I enjoy fashion (I love thrifting and looking for unique vintage pieces) and also going to museums and creating all forms of art! I also spend my free time vlogging and taking videos of all my crazy experiences in and out of school.
  • My favorite things
  • I love indie/alternative/house music! For food, Japanese and Italian are my favorites and could eat them any day. I love books more than movies and my ultimate favorite book is "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr! 
  • My passions
  • I'm really passionate about mental health and have been working as a mental health activist since I was 15 years old! 
  • A message to current and future mentees
  • Hi, everyone! I'm very much looking forward to working with all of you next year and being on campus with you next year. There are so many amazing things to discover and embark on in Davis; the school is your oyster! Remember that in your journey in college, do everything with a purpose and with empathy. Focus on what matters, and be yourself and everything else will follow. Sending all the love and light and again, I cannot wait to meet with all of you! 
  • Fun fact about me
  • I love cows and actually have a cow tattoo on my left arm! 
Aditi Mahajan photographed outdoors on a street smiling and looking off to the right. She wears an olive green sleeveless dress, a silver pendant necklace and silver earrings. Her long black hair is worn down, and there is a parked truck and tree-covered green hills in the background behind her.

Aditi Mahajan

From: United States of America

Major: Global disease biology

Year: Third

Languages spoken: English, Spanish; also speaks a little Hindi and Tamil

Pronouns: she/her

Learn more

  • Biography
  • I was born in India, moved to New York when I was three, and moved again to Davis when I was eight. I have lived in Davis for over ten years now! In the future, I hope to become a physician. 
  • My hobbies
  • In my free time, I like to skateboard, read, and go hiking. I typically like to go on short day trips to the coast or forest. I also like to play board games and card games with friends. 
  • My favorite things
  • I like listening to The Beatles, Kpop, and classical music. My favorite food is any kind of soup, especially soups with noodles. My favorite movies are "Inception" and "Memento." My favorite book is "A Fine Balance" by Rohinton Mistry.
  • My passions
  • I am passionate about equitable healthcare, history, and photography. I also care deeply about environmental policy. 
  • A message to current and future mentees
  • I look forward to meeting you and showing you around Davis!
  • Fun fact about me
  • I can solve a Rubik's cube in less than a minute.
Budi Maharaj smiles to the camera as he stands in a park with trees in the background behind him. His black curly hair is long on the top, coming down to the tops of his ears. He wears a black collared shirt and a red tie, loosened a bit at the neck.

Budi Maharaj

From: Bangkok, Thailand

Major: Clinical nutrition

Year: Fourth

Languages spoken: English, Spanish, Thai

Pronouns: he/him

Learn more

  • Biography
  • I grew up in Bangkok, where there are a lot of activities to do all the time, such as going to the malls, trying out food from different restaurants, and exploring the nightlife. I went to an international school which is how I first got to interact with people from different cultures and become more knowledgeable about different countries and their cultures. I grew up traveling around Thailand a lot because of soccer, and I got to experience the different scenery across Thailand, such as the mountains, beaches, historical cities. 
  • My hobbies
  • I play soccer, FIFA and other video games, cook, lift weights, and attend social events. 
  • My favorite things
  • My favorite music artists are The Weeknd, SZA, Partynextdoor. My favorite TV show right now is "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia." My favorite movie is "Baby Driver." 
  • My passions
  • I am passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion. I am also passionate about soccer and fitness. 
  • A message to current and future mentees
  • I am looking forward to making new friends with my future mentees, guiding them through the college experience, and making it as fun and successful as possible for them. 
  • Fun fact about me
  • I have been to more than ten countries. 
Pavel Martinez stands with his arms casually crossed, looking down to his right and smiling. He is outside in the sun with grass, trees, and a white building behind him in the background. He wears sunglasses, a black polo shirt, and two woven bracelets on his left wrist, one green and the other yellow and green. His brown hair is worn neatly styled and long on the top.

Pavel Martinez

From: Tijuana, México 

Major: Japanese

Year: Fourth

Languages spoken: English, Japanese, Spanish

Pronouns: he/him

Learn more

  • Biography
  • I grew up in both the United States and México, so I assimilated both of the cultures as my own and feel very close to both. I lived in México City and Tijuana, so I feel very in touch with Mexican modern culture and trends. I am a fan of geeky stuff like superheroes, comics, and fantasy. I was involved in a robotics club in high school, which sparked my interest in learning about the newest technologies. I did two years of electrical engineering, so I have a decent background in STEM. 
  • My hobbies
  • I tried to keep myself busy with schoolwork, my job, so when I find free time I try to relax completely. I make a cup of coffee or hot chocolate, then grab some sweet bread and watch Netflix to relax fully. I will often buy some chips and chill on the couch watching a movie. I enjoy very much my relaxing time.
  • My favorite things
  • My favorite shows are "How I Met Your Mother," "Parks and Recreation," and "WandaVision." Favorite movie is "Aladdin," "Spider-Man: Homecoming," and "Avengers: Endgame." Favorite books are "Norse Myths" by Neil Gaiman and "Kokoro" by Natsume Soseki.
  • My passions
  • I am passionate about reaching my goal of studying graduate school in Japan in programming or business administration. So you will always see me studying Japanese during my free time.
  • A message to current and future mentees
  • Taking the opportunity to study in another country can be very daunting, but it is also very brave and bold, which tells me you are all incredibly strong individuals. So I'm looking forward to helping you in this new journey you are about to embark on.
  • Fun fact about me
  • I have seven cats and three dogs.
Isabella Medina Silva smiles in a selfie taken in doors. Her long brown hair is worn down over her shoulders and she wears a khaki colored collared shirt.

Isabella Medina Silva

From: México 

Major: Molecular and Medical Microbiology 

Year: Second

Languages spoken: English, Spanish

Pronouns: she/her

Learn more

  • Biography
  • I was born in México and lived there for 15 years. I moved to the U.S. my sophomore year in high school. I was born in México City, but then I moved to Veracruz for a large portion of my life, and then went back to México City before finally moving to San Diego. My goal is to become an Infectious disease specialist and be able to work with pathogens such as viruses, bacteria and fungi. 
  • My hobbies
  • Singing and playing with my pets.
  • My favorite things
  • My music taste is all over the place; I listen to whatever makes my soul happy. My favorite TV show is probably "Strong Girl Bong-Soon." My favorite movie is "World War Z," and my favorite book so far is "Spillover" by David Quammen.
  • My passions
  • I'm passionate about the world of microbiology and how it affects our daily lives. I’m also very passionate about fish, especially fish pathology. Music is another passion of mine. I love how the art of music unites people from different parts of the world.
  • A message to current and future mentees
  • I look forward to meeting people from all over the world and learning some aspects of their culture. I am beyond excited to share my own culture and traditions with everyone. I also look forward to building long-lasting connections with mentees and other mentors. 
  • Fun fact about me
  • I taught my betta fish how to follow my pencil, as well as some other tricks.
Emma Minter smiles as she walks on the beach. Her curly light brown hair is tucked under a white scarf and blue and red bucket hat. She wears a black jacket over a coral colored sweater, and light blue jeans with heart shaped sunglasses tucked into her front pocket. She has a camera hung around her neck.

Emma Minter

From: Sacramento, California, USA

Major: Linguistics

Year: Second

Languages spoken: English, French (conversational)

Pronouns: she/her

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  • Biography
  • I grew up in the Sacramento area, then took a gap year as a Rotary Youth Exchange student where I lived and attended high school in the French-speaking half of Belgium. Aside from the Global Ambassador Mentorship Program, I am also a member of UC Davis' French club. I'm excited to stay involved with intercultural learning as a mentor and get to know Davis alongside you all!  
  • My hobbies
  • I enjoy doing art projects (mostly needlework), reading, taking walks, listening to music/podcasts, and drinking tea. 
  • My favorite things
  • My music library is all over the place, but some of my favorite artists are Lorde, Lous & the Yakuza, Bad Bunny, and Glass Animals. I watch drama the most, such as the shows "Pose," "Glow," and "Skam" and the movies "The Arrival," "Dead Poets' Society," and "The Florida Project." For books, I lean towards realistic fiction, and one of my favorite authors is Haruki Murakami. I am always open to recommendations for anything, especially international movies/shows and non-English songs!
  • My passions
  • Learning new things, especially languages, and connecting across nations.
  • A message to current and future mentees
  • I hope that you will be able to make deep connections that give you a sense of belonging on campus and lay the foundation for a memorable, fulfilling time at UC Davis. 
  • Fun fact about me
  • I am a fraternal twin!
Kenzo Morabia stands outside with trees in the background. He smiles slightly at the camera. His brown hair is styled neatly, copped close on the sides and longer on the top. He wears an oatmeal colored sweater and a small diamond or crystal stud earring in each ear.

Kenzo Morabia

From: California Bay Area, USA

Major: International relations; Japanese and economics minors

Year: Third

Languages spoken: English, Japanese

Pronouns: he/him

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  • Biography
  • What's up! My name is Kenzo! I'm Japanese-Lebanese and have lived in Asia for most of my life before moving to the Bay Area before high school. Soccer is a huge part of my life. I absolutely love everything about food and have a foodie account too @BENTO_FOR_KENZO. 
  • My hobbies
  • In my free time, I can't sit still, so I always need to be doing something and occupying myself, so I might be playing soccer, going on hikes or to the beach with friends, or even cooking up some food. 
  • My favorite things
  • Music: Drake, Juice Wrld, GreeeeN, RADWIMPS, Mariah Carey 
    Food: Sushi, Indian food, pizza, big fan of boba 
    TV shows: "Friends," "New Girl," "Money Heist," "One Piece"
    Movies: "Your name," "Life of Pi," "Don't Mess with the Zohan," "Borat" (1 and 2) 
  • My passions
  • Not much besides the thing I wrote above. Food and soccer have been my passions for most of my life. 
  • A message to current and future mentees
  • It's all a process! Even as someone who had to make friends every couple of years and adjust to new environments, college was a tough transition for me even if my family was just 100 miles away, so don't be discouraged at first! I'm looking forward to meeting everybody and hearing about all the cool places you guys are from (and the foods, of course). 
  • Fun fact about me
  • In-N-Out is my favorite place to eat. 
Cem Nesiri stands in the sunlight indoors. He smiles at the camera. His dark hair is short and he wears round wireframed glasses, and a light blue collared shirt.

Cem Nesiri

From: Istanbul, Turkey

Major: Biomedical engineering

Year: Third

Languages spoken: English, German, Turkish

Pronouns: he/him

Learn more

  • Biography
  • I was born and raised in Istanbul, Turkey. I was exposed to different cultures growing up since I was living in an Armenian neighborhood in Istanbul. I was also able to experience the Persian culture through my dad and Greek culture through my mom. I moved to Davis when I was 18 for college. I also spent six months living in Burbank in the Los Angeles area of California. 
  • My hobbies
  • As an outgoing person, I always try to pursue an adventure. I usually spend my free time traveling or playing sports. As a professional tennis player, I spend most of my time practicing. Apart from that, I go on weekly hikes and try to ski once a week. 
  • My favorite things
  • My favorite music is psychedelic rock, my favorite food is fried chicken, my favorite TV show is "Gossip Girl," my favorite movie is "City of God," and my favorite book is "Catch-22."
  • My passions
  • I am passionate about traveling and discovering different cultures and foods. I always try to blend in when I travel to truly experience and become a part of unique cultures. 
  • A message to current and future mentees
  • I am looking forward to individually get to know all of you and help you succeed in transitioning to life in California and college. I also can't wait to learn from you all. 
  • Fun fact about me
  • I have a pet snake named Cerci. She is a ball python.
Helena Ngo smiles in a selfie taken indoors in the natural light with a white wall behind her. Her dark hair is worn straight and reaches her collarbone. She wears a white scoop-neck top.

Helena Ngo

From: Upland, California

Major: Political science and communication

Year: Third

Languages spoken: English, Vietnamese

Pronouns: she/her

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  • Biography
  • I was born and raised in Southern California and have lived in California my entire life. Despite my family being from Vietnam, I have never actually been to Vietnam, but I definitely hope to in the future. Growing up, I was immersed in both Vietnamese and American culture, and I absolutely love both cultures, but I also love learning about different cultures! 
  • My hobbies
  • In my free time, I love trying to improve my cooking skills and trying new recipes that are usually from TikTok. I often do puzzles with my friends and play board games. I also enjoy going to new and different restaurants, buying boba, going on picnics at the park, and binge-watching any show on Netflix (K-dramas, anime, reality shows, etc.).
  • My favorite things
  • I listen to a lot of different music genres and artists, but some of my favorite artists are Harry Styles, BTS, Conan Gray, 88Rising. I love trying new food, and I pretty much eat anything, but my favorite food is pho. My favorite shows are "Brooklyn Nine-Nine," "Hospital Playlist," "New Girl," and "Hunter x Hunter." My favorite movies are "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World" and "The Princess Diaries."
  • My passions
  • I am super passionate about fashion and exploring new and different trends/pieces to try out. I am also very passionate about becoming a civil rights lawyer in the future and promoting inclusivity and equity throughout the community. I love trying anything new, traveling, and anything that increases my adrenaline! 
  • A message to current and future mentees
  • I am very excited to meet everyone and form new bonds and experiences. I can't wait to learn about everyone's cultures and create new memories with new friends as we transition into being in-person again. There are going to be so many different activities and events that I hope to enjoy with everyone in the program. This is my first time as a mentor, but I am here to help you in any way I can, and I cannot wait to have these new experiences with everyone! 
  • Fun fact about me
  • I often sleep for nine or more hours every night! 
Vy Nguyen stands under a tree during the daytime. She smiles at the camera. Vy has long straight black hair, and she wears rectangular glasses, a multi-colored pendant on a black silk cord around her neck, a black top, and a rich eggplant purple jacket over it with large square bronze buttons.

Vy Nguyen

From: Vietnam

Major: Pharmaceutical chemistry

Year: Fourth

Languages spoken: English, Vietnamese

Pronouns: she/her

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  • Biography
  • I transferred to UC Davis last year, so I am as excited to explore more about the campus as you all. I was born and raised in Vietnam. With my major, I hope to be able to work as a synthesizing pharmaceutical chemist in the future. I thought I was a shy person, but many of my friends say I am totally not when we get to know each other. Therefore, I always want to meet new people to improve myself and make new friends. I hope to listen and learn more about their experiences as well.
  • My hobbies
  • I spend time for myself a lot during my free time just enjoying the comfort of the silent zone, listen to music, or watch comedy shows. I will bake sometimes or hang out with friends in good boba or dessert shops (so if you are a fan of those, join me). Other than that, I will make a call with my parents since I am far away from home now.
  • My favorite things
  • I like ballads, slow songs mostly, but I am open to any catchy melodies as well. I am a fan of animation and horror movies and comedy shows. About food, I love Vietnamese dishes, sweet desserts as well as boba. So if you guys have any suggestions, let me know.
  • My passions
  • My passion is lab-related work. Besides that, I want to learn more about different cultures through traveling and meeting new friends from countries. I hope to explore more about myself through those experiences as well.
  • A message to current and future mentees
  • I am excited to explore the campus, make new friends, share my experiences and learn new things from you guys through the program. 
  • Fun fact about me
  • I like the color white, but you will barely see me wear white.
Amy Salim stands outside with a brick building with white columns and trees behind her. She wears a black jacket over a white T-shirt. She has long straight black hair, and is smiling at the camera.

Amy Salim

From: Indonesia

Major: Animal science

Year: Second

Languages spoken: Chinese (elementary), English, Indonesian

Pronouns: she/her

Learn more

  • Biography
  • I was born in Perth, Australia, and grew up in Jakarta, Indonesia. I am an international student majoring in Animal Science at UC Davis, studying hard to become a veterinarian one day. A random fact about me is that I have always been an avid reader. I can read printed books or electronic books anytime, anywhere. I love the way words string together to form a beautiful work of art. 
  • My hobbies
  • I spend my free time reading, watching, or baking. If I am not doing any of these activities, I am most likely sleeping.
  • My favorite things
  • I generally enjoy the romance genre. I may just be what people usually call a 'hopeless romantic.' I love love in books, movies, and TV shows, but I also love noodles, soup, and sushi!
  • My passions
  • Becoming a veterinarian has always been my passion since second grade. I am here at UC Davis as a pre-vet student. 
  • A message to current and future mentees
  • I personally know how difficult it can be to adjust yourself to a new environment, so I am here as a mentor to remind you of the good things that come after the storm. Just as this program has helped me go through the struggles of my first year at UC Davis, I am sure that this program will help you in so many ways as well! A quote I live by is "There is always room in the heart for one more friend," and making friends is something you can look forward to in this program.
  • Fun fact about me
  • I am a proud mother of 34 betta fishes.
Rachelle Taveau smiles as she stands on a bridge overlooking a creek with fall foliage changing behind her along the water. Her right arm rests on the top of the metal bridge railing, nearly the height of her shoulder. She wears a light green turtleneck under a khaki colored jacket, and dark blue jeans, and she holds a closed royal blue and white hounds tooth umbrella. She has shoulder length light brown hair that is pulled back into a half ponytail

Rachelle Taveau

From: Redwood City, California, USA

Major: International relations; economics minor

Year: Second

Languages spoken: English, French, Spanish 

Pronouns: she/her

Learn more

  • Biography
  • I was born in Austin, Texas, but raised between San Francisco, Santa Cruz, and Redwood City in California. My dad’s side of the family is all French, and I was so lucky to be able to stay with them every summer, mostly in Bretagne and the French Alpine region. While my mom’s side of the family is from the East Coast of the United States, so fun fact, I have over 500-second/third cousins in the state of New York, and that’s not even counting New Jersey and Massachusetts. 
  • My hobbies
  • When I am not working or studying, I really enjoy cooking, but in my free time, I also like to read and embroider. 
  • My favorite things
  • Most of my favorite music comes from the artist Francois Hardy. All of my favorite TV shows are pretty much every single cooking documentary series on Netflix, and most of my favorite movies also have to do with cooking, like "The 100-Foot Journey" or "Julie and Julia." Though one significant outlier is the film "Amelie," which I love as well.  I have two favorite books, "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr and the Monet cookbook. 
  • My passions
  • I have mentioned it quite a bit, but I am really passionate about cooking. It's a way to explore the world and do self-care that becomes an act of mindfulness. 
  • A message to current and future mentees
  • What I am looking forward to and want to tell future mentees is that I really can't wait to meet all of you. I will certainly be reaching out a lot, but do not hesitate to reach out right back because all of us mentors are here to make sure you have a wonderful time at UC Davis!
  • Fun fact about me
  • I have four chickens, two dogs, a cat, and a tortoise as pets at home.
Arista Wu smiles slightly at the camera. She stands in front of a dark gray background. Her long dark hair is worn straight and falls over her shoulders. She wears a black blouse under a black blazer, and a delicate gold necklace.

Arista Wu

From: China

Major: Civil and environmental engineering

Year: Fourth

Languages spoken: English, Mandarin

Pronouns: she/her

Learn more

  • Biography
  • I am a fourth-year, Civil and environmental engineering major. Pursuing double majors allows me to have a broad coursework emphasis on water resources, environment, and sustainability. I am passionate about wastewater treatment and water conservation. In my free time, I love hiking in the Bay Area and going to jazz concerts. 
  • My hobbies
  • Hiking, baking, appreciating arts, yoga.
  • My favorite things
  • Music by Greg Reitan and Miles Davis, ocean documentaries, seascape oil paintings.
  • My passions
  • I am passionate about water treatment, sustainable energy, and arts. 
  • A message to current and future mentees
  • I look forward to supporting you in your transition to UC Davis by providing opportunities to promote academic success and foster a sense of belonging. It would be my pleasure to share my experience in utilizing campus resources and creating a professional image. In addition, I hope we can broaden our views of the world through working together and learning the diversity in cultural perspectives. The collaborations and the bridging formed between individuals from different countries and cultural backgrounds enrich everyone's perspective, for there is shared knowledge of others' cultures.
  • Fun fact about me
  • I have a lovely dog named Potato.

 

Sandy Xie stands in front of fall foliage. She wears a red hoodie with the UC Davis logo in white and a white crossbody bag. Her hands are folded in front of her. Sandy has straight black shoulder length hair and bangs.

Sandy Xie

From: Beijing, China

Major: Pre-landscape architecture

Year: Second

Languages spoken: English, Mandarin 

Pronouns: she/her

Learn more

  • Biography
  • I was born and raised in Beijing, China. I finished high school in Beijing, and I am now in my second year at UC Davis. I am pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in landscape architecture and considering becoming an architect in the future. During my first year at UC Davis, I completed the Student Leadership Development Program and Diversity Leadership Development Program from the UC Davis Center for Leadership Learning, and I learned more about leadership and did two community service projects in the two programs.
  • My hobbies
  • Drawing, traveling, watching movies, listening to music, playing video games, playing the piano.
  • My favorite things
  • Some favorite movies: "The Truman Show," "The Shawshank Redemption," "Wonder," and "Ready Player One." Some favorite music: "Gold" by Owl City, "Lemon" by Yonezu Kenshi, and "Yibanyiban" by Luo Tianyi. Some favorite food: Beijing roast duck, hamburgers, and mint ice cream.
  • My passions
  • I am passionate about arts, design, and architecture. I am also interested in learning more about other cultures.
  • A message to current and future mentees
  • Hello, mentees! I am Sandy and welcome to our Global Ambassador Mentorship Program family! I finished high school in Beijing, and I am now in my second year at UC Davis. I am pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in landscape architecture. I view myself as an introverted person, but I am willing to step out of my comfort zone to get to know new people. I enjoy traveling, and I visited many places around the world. I am looking forward to exploring different cultures and forming new friendships in the Global Ambassador Mentorship Program. Feel free to reach out to me at any time, and I hope you will have a great first-year experience!
  • Fun fact about me
  • I graduated from an art high school in Beijing.

 

Minnie Yu stands in the shade under a tree holding up two cherries connected at the stem. She wears a white Adidas baseball cap with a black logo, and a lavender jacket over a white T-shirt. She smiles slightly and has long straight black hair that falls over her shoulders.

Minnie Yu

From: Hong Kong

Major: Clinical nutrition

Year: Second

Languages spoken: Cantonese, English, Mandarin; elementary in Japanese and Korean

Pronouns: she/her

Learn more

  • Biography
  • I was born in Hong Kong and raised in both Hong Kong and San Francisco, California. This is my fifth year in the United States, and I’ve just started to feel familiar with American cultures. I am looking forward to learning more about different cultures by meeting y’all!
  • My hobbies
  • I love watching anime, K-, Thai-, Chinese-, and J-drama, and yes, I watch a lot of dramas! Also, I love cooking new things like making Indonesian curry and baking birthday cakes. The thing that I like the most is beautifying my room, which is the most relaxing event during my free time.
  • My favorite things
  • Music: Yoasobi's songs
    Food: Any kind of curry
    Movie: "Despicable Me 3"
    Anime: "Assassination Classroom"
  • My passions
  • I am passionate about learning new languages because that could help me to learn more about different cultures and also knowing the conversation of the dramas I watch.
  • A message to current and future mentees
  • Hi, nice to meet y’all! Come and chat with me about anything! I am here for you and glad to help you with any questions or concerns that you have!
  • Fun fact about me
  • I have worn glasses since six years old.

 

Meena Yuqob sits on a white bench in the shade on a sunny day in front of a white brick wall. Her right arm is propped up on the back of the bench and she smiles slightly to the camera. She wears a burnt orange hajib, and a long white top belted with a thin black belt at the waist.

Meena Yuqob

From: Afghanistan 

Major: Biological sciences

Year: Third

Languages spoken: English, Farsi, Pashtu 

Pronouns: she/her

Learn more

  • Biography
  • I was born raised in Kabul, Afghanistan. My family moved to the United States in 2016, and I started high school as a sophomore. Currently, I am a junior at UC Davis, and when I started my first year in 2019, I had a mentor who helped me transition to college life. 
  • My hobbies
  • I like to read books, and I am into fantasy and psychological thriller books. I love hiking so every weekend I go hiking with my family. 
  • My favorite things
  • I like pop music, but I don't have a favorite singer because I listen to what I like no matter who sang it. My favorite food is an Afghan cuisine called Mantu. I like horror movies. My favorite book is "The Invisible Life of Addie Larue."
  • My passions
  • I am passionate about helping people as much as I can and being kind to everyone because we never know what people go through. 
  • A message to current and future mentees
  • I want all mentees to know that all mentors are here to assist you in any way we can, and I hope you feel comfortable sharing your struggles with us so we can find solutions together. 
  • Fun fact about me
  • A fun but really, really sad fact about me is that I can sleep the whole day and I would still feel tired.