Meet Your 2022-23 Global Ambassador Mentor Fellows

Meet the Student Co-Coordinators

Odelia Chong (she/her)

Odelia stands on rocks on the shore of the ocean. An island off to the left, a sail boat and a jut of land to the right are behind her in the distance. She gives a peace sign with her left hand and wears a black puffer jacket open over a chocolate brown top and blue jeans with a black belt. She wears a black and cream purse across her body and her black straight hair is worn down over her shoulders.

Place of origin: Singapore 
Languages: English, Mandarin
Major: Neurobiology, physiology, and behavior
Minor: Music
Year: Third

About me: I am from Singapore and moved to America when I was ten! When I am not studying, you can find me dancing, watching movies, playing the piano, or going on a boba/coffee run. I also love traveling and learning about different cultures as well as eating new foods! 

My goals: I plan to attend medical school in the near future to fulfill my dream of becoming an OBGYN, as well as, continue to foster a welcoming community in the Global Ambassador Mentorship Program.

Fun fact about me: I collect pressed coins from each tourist location I go to!

A message to international students: Hello and welcome to UC Davis! I am so excited for you to start your journey here at UC Davis. I understand that it may be a little scary transitioning to college life, especially in a new country, but do not worry! The community here at the Global Ambassador Mentorship Program and UC Davis welcomes you and will be there to help you when you need it, and I know you will be able to grow and fulfill your goals.

Amy Salim (she/her)

Amy wears a light gray hat and gray sleeveless shirt in a selfie taken in the daylight at the Arboretum at UC Davis with plants, trees and a wooden bridge in the distance behind her.

Place of origin: Indonesia
Languages: English, Indonesian, Mandarin (elementary)
Major: Animal Science
Year: Third

About me: I grew up in Jakarta, Indonesia and recently moved to the United States to pursue a bachelor's degree in animal science. I have a soft spot for animals, books and sweets! There's nothing like sitting in the garden on a hot summer day munching on sweet snacks in the company of my family (including my dogs, of course) with a book in hand. 

My goals: In the near future, I hope to attend vet school after completing my animal science degree. In the nearer future, I hope to get to know each and every one of you in the Global Ambassador Mentorship Program!

Fun fact about me: I just found out that I'm unfortunately allergic to essential oils!

A message to international students: Congratulations on beginning your journey at UC Davis! Adapting to life at UC Davis as an international student miles away from home is not the easiest, but let me assure you that it will get easier. Based on my experience, all it takes is meeting the right people, and I hope this program and the people in it can give you the support you need. I was, and still am, in your position right now, so if I can do it, you sure can too! We're all here rooting for you.

Meet the Mentor Fellows

Alice Atiegar (she/her)

Alice wears her caramel-colored hair in braids. She stands outside partially shaded fromthe sunlight in front of green bushes and a tree wearing a dress with a white background and large orange spots.

Place of origin: Ghana 
Language: English 
Major: Neurobiology Physiology and Behavior 
Minors: Social ethnic and gender relations
Year: Fourth

About me: I am a Ghanaian American and passionate about cultural awareness and getting to learn about other cultures by cultural exchange and travel. I am also passionate about healthcare advocacy, student-run organizations and public health education. 

My goals: I hope to work in public health and medicine engaging in healthcare policy and advocacy for minorities. I am also passionate about youth mentoring and hope to launch my own college youth mentoring organization. I also hope to travel to many more countries and learn and celebrate the culture of others all over the world.

Fun fact about me: I am semi-fluent in Spanish and studied it for four years.

A message to international students: I would like to give you all a warm welcome to the UC Davis campus and community. It is an honor to be able to build a community with you all and I hope you all are able to have a smooth transition into the Davis community. We are a loving, respectful and welcoming community here at UC Davis and we hope to continue to build a better living and learning community.

Valeria Becerra (she/her)

Valeria wears her dark brown hair pulled back, plastic framed glasses, and a gray and pink blocked sweater. She sits on the grass in the sunlight. A five-story building with many visible windows and trees are behind her in the background.

Place of origin: Mexico City 
Languages: English, French, Spanish
Major: International relations
Minors: French and human rights
Year: Third

About me: I am originally from Mexico City and Los Angeles, CA. I enjoy reading and listening to audiobooks and novels in my spare time. I also enjoy going on walks and engaging in outdoor activities when possible. Playing the piano and music are my favorite things, and I have written a couple of piano pieces I like to share with my friends and family. 

My goals: My primary goal for the future is to get my undergraduate degree. After that, I want to continue pursuing higher education through a graduate program. Ultimately, I want to attend law school to become an attorney in international law and work within the immigration and human rights field and services. 

Fun fact about me: Film soundtracks are my favorite music genre, and I can tell you the theme song, the composer, and the film's name by just listening to it. 

A message to international students: Welcome to UC Davis! I am thrilled that you have chosen to be part of our unique university. I hope that during your time as a UC Davis student and as part of the Aggie family, you open yourself to new opportunities to engage in activities that will help you achieve your academic and career pursuits. Remember never to stop challenging yourself and get as involved in campus activity as possible. Our campus offers endless opportunities for students to pursue their majors and minors, participate in internships and research, community involvement, clubs, on-campus jobs, events and many more. Manage your time between academics, extracurriculars and social life; first and foremost, prioritize your physical and mental well-being above all. 

Roslyn Catiis (she/her)

Roslyn stands in front of a gray wooden fence. She wears her log black hair down behind her shoulders and a dark blue hoodie sweatshirt that has the yellow letters UCD on the front and in a blue strip in the middle of them running the length of the chest in yellow letters it says University of California, Davis.

Place of origin: California
Languages: English, Tagalog (basic)
Major: Neurobiology, physiology and behavior
Year: Second

About me: I'm Filipinx American and was born and raised in the Bay Area. I enjoy swimming, playing basketball (I played intramural basketball during my first year at UC Davis), watching K-dramas, painting/drawing, trying new places to eat and listening to music (mainly K-pop and RnB). I'm a huge Disney fan and I love watching Disney and Marvel movies.

My goals: Goals of mine include making a lot of friends, traveling the world and improving my cooking skills. I also hope to better my cultural competence through the Global Ambassador Mentorship Program!

Fun fact about me: I've been to the Disneyland parks almost 10 times!

A message to international students: I'm so excited to get to know all of you and that I get to be part of your experience here at UC Davis! I hope that you have a fun time in this program and find it a safe and inclusive space for you all to grow and transition into college life!

Monica Chao (she/her)

Monica sits in front of a white wall with her left knee bent up in front of her. She wears her dark brown shoulder length hair down straight in a bob, a gold necklace with a circular charm, a white tank top and blue jeans ripped at the knee. She holds a bouquet of a dozen red roses wrapped in a white florist paper across her body.

Place of origin: Taiwan
Languages: English, Mandarin
Major: Neurobiology, physiology and behavior
Minor: Communication
Year: Third

About me: I was born in Taiwan, which is the origin of Boba. When I was younger, my parents used to take me to travel with them to many countries. I think this is the reason why I am so interested in different cultures! Furthermore, I love to listen to music (I am a huge fan of Justin Bieber) and I love watching movies (I am obsessed with Marvel). I am also a huge foodie!

My goals: My goals for the future will be attending medical school because it is my biggest dream to become a neurosurgeon! On the other hand, I will also do research on cancer-related topics in the future in order to figure out a way of curing cancer without the painful chemotherapy that patients have to go through.

Fun fact about me: I love Justin Bieber! He's my favorite artist.

A message to international students: UC Davis is a very chill and welcoming place for students, and we have such a diverse population. Some people may have "imposter syndrome" at first, but don't worry! We will go over this together! Me and all the mentor fellows are here for you! Let us know any questions you have. All questions are good questions!

Ellie Chareonsuphiphat (she/her)

Ellie stands in a narrow street with tall buildings on either side and round paper lanterns in bright colors strung overhead. Her long straight dark brown hair falls behind her shoulders and she wears a navy zip-up jacket with the words UC Davis Veterans Success Center on the right chest.

Place of origin: California
Languages: English, Chinese (conversational), ASL (elementary)
Majors: Economics and psychology  
Year: Second

About me: I grew up on an island in the Bay Area. Since my mom was a flight attendant and my dad flew helicopters, my family loved adventures and traveling. We spent our summers visiting family abroad, and traveling. Over the years, I've visited 16 countries! In Davis, you can find me skateboarding through campus, grabbing a Matcha latte downtown, reading at the MU, or practicing calligraphy in my journal.

My goals: To continually trust and honor God on this crazy journey called life! 

Fun fact about me: I got into a skateboard and bike accident my first quarter at UC Davis!

A message to international students: I am beyond excited to meet you all. If you have any questions about majors, careers, or life, I'm always here to chat! I know coming to a new university can be exciting and all the while daunting and stressful, but just know you never have to do it alone. We are all here for you every step of the way. Welcome to UC Davis!

Ashley Chen (she/her)

Ashley stands illuminated in the night by dozens of ornate lampposts crowded together in the space and in the background. She smiles and stands posed in front of the lampposts with has her left hand on her hip. Her long straight black hair is styled straight and with bangs and it falls in front of her shoulders. She wears a black top with white sheer sleeves and black cuffs and a short black and white tweed wrap skirt with three gold buttons running down the front.

Place of origin: Taiwan
Languages: English, Mandarin
Majors: Genetics and genomics, and economics 
Minor: Accounting
Year: Third

About me: I’m Ashley Chen and I’m an international student. I was born in Taiwan and came to UC Davis for college. I really enjoy my life here. During my free time, I’ll hang out with friends, watch Netflix, and chat with my family in Taiwan. I love to meet new people. Therefore, if you’d like to find someone to talk to or chat with, I’m a perfect fit for you! 

My goals: I plan to study for two degrees in graduate schools. The first one is a biology-related masters and after that, I will find a job at a pharmaceutical/ biotechnology company. The second one is EMBA/MBA after I work for a few years. 

Fun fact about me: I have a pet turtle in Taiwan named Turtle.

A message to international students: As an international student from Taiwan, I understand college is challenging, especially for some people like international students. Therefore, having a program like Global Ambassador Mentorship Program that has organized resources and people to ask is very useful. I know everything can be challenging in the beginning, but trust me, there are a lot of nice people and they are very happy and willing to help! (Including us of course.) Therefore, don’t worry too much and ask us any questions you would like to know, and we will try our best to answer all of them! Last but not least, welcome to UC Davis! Hope you will all have a great college life here! Go Aggies!

Agustina Diener (she/her)

Agustina stands at a railing overlooking the ocean on a sunny day with a few clouds scattered in the blue sky behind her. She wears a red sleeveless dress, black binoculars are around her neck, her black sunglasses are pushed up on her head and her wavy long brown hair is worn down.

Place of origin: Argentina
Languages: English, Spanish (fluently); French (proficient) 
Major: Biomedical engineering
Year: Third

About me: I'm very outgoing and adventurous. I like running, playing tennis and reading. I'm obsessed with Taylor Swift and Colleen Hoover (very basic, I know). My favorite TV show is How I Met Your Mother. 

My goals: I'm very interested in research and I currently work in a lab, so I'm planning on getting a Ph.D. in the future and hopefully work in academia after that. 

Fun fact about me: I used to do ballet and pole dance when I lived in Argentina.

A message to international students: I am so excited for you to get here and experience everything that this country and UC Davis have to offer. It might get hard at times, but that's what I am here for. I really hope you get the best out of this experience and I look forward to helping you achieve all your goals!

Rosh Ho (he/him)

Rosh sits in the indirect daylight outdoor at a restaurant. a canopy and string lights hang in the background. He wears a light gray turtleneck under a black jacket. His straight black hair is styled long on the top and short on the sides.

Place of origin: Singapore
Languages: English, Mandarin, Shanghainese
Major: Computer science
Year: Second

About me: Backpacking, running, weightlifting, skiing, I love anything to do with the outdoors and I am always down for a nice cup of cold brew. Also absolutely love learning new dishes to cook from other cultures!

My goals: I'm striving to create a work environment that I would personally want to work in and bring a socially positive impact too!

Fun fact about me: I've done two years of conscription military service!

A message to international students: Whether it's finding a place to buy groceries or looking for research positions, don't be afraid to reach out to your Global Ambassador Mentorship Program mentor fellow and campus resources! Everyone at UC Davis is incredibly delighted and eager to help!

Brooke Hoang (she/her)

Brooke stands with her arms raised to the height of her head as she celebrates completing a marathon. She wears a runners bib pinned to her black top under an open light gray zip-up hoodie and a marathon brass metal in the shape of the number 6 around her neck on a white ribbon. Her black hair is worn in a ponytail under a black hat with a white Nike swoosh on the front.

Place of origin: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Languages: English, Vietnamese; Spanish (basic)
Major: Psychology (biology emphasis)
Year: Second

About me: I was born and raised in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. At the age of 14, I decided to leave my home country and embark on a journey of going to a boarding school in Florida. I also like to run and read. 

My goals: I want to go to graduate or medical school for psychology. Researching and working with clients have always been my interest from the start. I want to move back to Vietnam to open my own clinic or a research institution. 

Fun fact about me: I can eat rice all day. 

A message to international students: It will be okay. Reach out whenever you need help. Transition from one culture to another might be difficult, and we are here to help you. 

Yuchen Hou (he/him)

Yuchen stands in the setting sunlight on medium brown dirt that resembles wet sand littered with footprints and tracks. Behind him are rounded hills of dirt set against a clear blue sky. His black hair is buzzed and he wears round metal-framed glasses, a black T-shirt and a thick black nylon bag strap across his body.

Place of origin: China
Languages: English, Mandarin
Major: Anthropology and economics
Year: Third

About me: I like watching movies, traveling, exploring new things, staying alone or communicating with people. Right now, I am a member of the Chinese Student Union and Davis Chinese Film Studio.

My goals: I want to watch more movies, read more books, build deeper relationships with people around me, challenge the shackles of rules, speak up for inequality, and make people around me and my two cats happy.

Fun fact about me: I usually only wear black or white.

A message to international students: Whether it's coming to the United States from another country or coming to the college town of Davis, it's both exciting and challenging. If the unfamiliar environment does not bring you pressure, I wish you still shine in the new environment. If you need our help, we will tell you it's OK to be not OK. I came to Davis two years ago as the second kind of person, and now I want to give back to the community that helped me.

Geoffrey Ku Htat

Geoffrey squats in front of a red and gold arch in an Asian style of architecture outdoors on a footpath. He wears round black glasses, a deep blue long sleeve top and matching pants along with dark gray slip-on canvas shoes..

Place of origin: Myanmar
Languages: Myanmar/Burmese, English, Mandarin; conversational Japanese
Majors: Japanese and international relations 
Minors: East Asian studies and global studies 
Year: Third

About me:  I was born and raised in Myanmar as an ethnic foreign Chinese. The Burmese or Myanmar language is my mother tongue but I am also fluent in English and Mandarin My hobbies include learning new languages (I am currently learning third-year Japanese here at UC Davis) and learning about cultures, and playing sports like badminton, swimming, and bowling. I also love playing mahjong, cooking, watching anime and hanging out with people.

My goals: My goals for the future include contributing to the global society in some way that will make the world a better place for the future generations. My dream career is to become a diplomat focusing on international affairs.

Fun fact about me: I am aiming to become a professional in bowling.

A message to international students: Hello and welcome to UC Davis, home of the Aggies! I know it can be overwhelming as a new and international student but do not worry! As a mentor fellow, I am here to facilitate the smooth transition of students who are studying abroad like you. If you have any questions or concerns about the university or just about anything, don't be shy and ask away! I'm excited to be a mentor fellow and I'm looking forward to connecting with you! 

Eva Huang

Eva stands in a well-lit store with plush penguins on the surrounding shelves. She wears a long-sleeve black top and pants. Her collar-length straight black hair is ownr down and the photos is enhances with antler stickers on her head and pink bows along the vertical boarders. Eva holds in her hands a large plush strawberry and a large plush pineapple. Each has subtle mouth and eyes stitched on the front.

Place of origin: China
Languages: Cantonese, English, Mandarin
Major: Communication
Minor: Education and global studies
Year: Fourth

About me: In my leisure time, I like to watch movies and anime. 

My goals: My goal for the future is I want to attend graduate school and obtain a Ph.D in communication. I would like to study abroad during graduate school. 

Fun fact about me: One fun fact about me is I can sing rap songs. 

A message to international students: Welcome to UC Davis! Cherish every opportunity you have and enjoy your college life!

Suba Kanchadapu

Suba stands with her arms crossed and her body angled to the left, and she smiles over her left shoulder at the camera. Her hairs is black and worn long and straight. She wears a lavender collared shirt under a black vest and black pants. She stands outside an orange building in front of a stone block planter box filled with low palms.

Place of origin: India
Languages: English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu
Major: Computer science
Year: Fourth

About me: I am a fourth-year transfer student studying computer science at UC Davis. I was born and raised in India. However, I came to the U.S. about five years ago. My interests include playing badminton, shopping, hanging out with friends, going on long car drives, food exploration, sleeping and watching Asian movies or dramas. Finally, I enjoy meeting new people, so I look forward to making new friends.

My goals: Being a part of the Global Ambassador Mentorship Program, my goals are to make friends and be a reliable mentor for my mentees. And another goal during college is to complete my bachelor's degree and pursue a master's. 

Fun fact about me: I love exploring various cuisines!

A message to international students: Hello and welcome to all the international students! I applaud your decision to study abroad. I understand that the process of coming here, settling down, and navigating through college life can be filled with various emotions, including excitement, nervousness, hope, and maybe even confusion. UC Davis has multiple resources, and friendly staff members are willing to help. So, my advice is that you utilize the resources on campus and reach out to staff when you have questions without hesitation. Additionally, the quarter system moves pretty fast. Therefore, I recommend that you prepare for classes ahead of time and stay on top of assignments. Finally, join clubs or find on-campus jobs. Doing so will help build your resume and make friends on campus.

Myo Maung (he/him)

Myo squats in front of a row of cows with their heads bent like they are eating just below the frame. He give a thumbs up and wears a backwards black hat, a light blue collared shirt with palm trees over a white T-shirt and a dark blue beaded necklace. The sky behind him is blue and cloudless.

Place of origin: Myanmar
Languages: Burmese, English
Major: Communication
Year: Second

About me: My name is Myo and I grew up in Myanmar for the majority of my life and moved here around the end of middle school. I love listening to music and after reaching the age of 18, I have started going to concerts, and that is my favorite thing to do as of right now.

My goals: My goal for the future mainly is to live a life that I can say I am satisfied with. This encompasses many things, such as having a family of my own, a satisfying career and many more.

Fun fact about me: I love Shah's Halal Food.

A message to international students: You got this. 

Asuka Okamoto (she/her)

Asuka has long straight black hair and wears a white track jacket with the word AIR and a Nike swoosh stitched in black on the left side. She sits at a table in doors with a small bud vase filled with delicate florals in front of her and with an abundance of pink flowers cascading down behind her on a deep green wall with a cream colored drape.

Place of origin: Japan
Languages: English, Japanese
Major: Food science
Year: Fourth

About me: I came to the United States from Japan three years ago. I transferred to UC Davis from a community college in Bay Area. I like to try new restaurants and cook at home. I often watch anime and TV series on Netflix. I am currently looking for a hobby, so let me know if you have any ideas!

My goals: My goal for the future is to work in the food industry to design the product. It would be cool if my products are sold on the shelf at the stores.  

Fun fact about me: I sleep every day, hugging my plushy. 

A message to international students: Congratulations, and welcome to UC Davis. I am a transfer, international student, so I will understand your concerns and excitement as individuals coming from all over the world. I went through many hardships as an international student, and I am still struggling with some of them. You might face some cultural differences or language barriers, but I want to say, you are not alone. I want you to be proud of yourself for studying in the U.S. If you want to share anything in your mind—fun, happy, or nervous—we can talk about that. All mentor fellows support you. We are here for you. We are glad that we will be a part of the beginning of a new chapter of your life! 

Sana Shehabi (she/her)

Selfie of Sana overlooking palm trees and cream colored hotel or apartment buildings. She is cast in light from the setting sun and wears a white sleeveless top with vertical black stripes, a silver necklace with an intricate charm, and her bard brown hair is a little longer than chin length worn in a middle part and straight down. The top of her palm tree tattoo is just visible on her left shoulder.

Place of origin: USA
Language: English
Major: Cognitive science
Year: Second

About me: I love playing tennis, spending time outdoors, and listening to music. Some music genres I like to listen to include rap/hip-hop, but to be honest, I listen to a wide variety of genres. I also love sunsets and going to the beach. I have two cats named Dora and Boots! 

My goals: I am really passionate about learning more about how the human brain works, and I want to go into brain research in the future. 

Fun fact about me: I have a palm tree tattoo on my arm!

A message to international students: Welcome to UC Davis!! I just finished my first year at UC Davis and it has been the most incredible experience for me. I am so excited for all of you to join our Davis community. It is a beautiful campus and the students and staff are wonderful. Everyone here is extremely friendly and what I most love is the collaborative environment. I am really looking forward to meeting you and getting to know you all!

Darius Smith (he/him)

Selfie of Darius against a white wall. He smiles at the camera and wears a black T-shirt

Place of origin: USA
Languages: English
Majors: African American, African studies and anthropology
Year: Third

About me: I was born and raised in the Bay Area of California my entire life and was exposed to range of different cultures. I quickly managed to make friends and connect with people around me and learned that I share a lot of similarities with others. My main interests include learning something new, traveling, and journaling. On my free days, I watch movies and YouTube videos.

My goals: My goals for the future are to try to work hard and live the best life that I can. I hope to graduate college, travel to different countries and work hard to create a better life for myself.

Fun fact about me: I have played with a baby tiger, puma and jaguar all at once.

A message to international students: I look forward to meeting all of you and having joyful experiences and making meaningful connections.

Trisha Talla (she/her)

Trisha has long brown hair and bangs. She stands inside for a selfie. She wears a medium-wash jean jacket over a taupe top, and has a gold necklace with the letter T.

Place of origin: The Philippines
Languages: English, Ilocano, Tagalog; Korean (basic), Spanish (basic)
Majors: Biochemistry and molecular biology
Minor: Psychology
Year: Fourth

About me: I was born and raised in Cagayan Valley, a small northern province of the Philippines. Around the age of 11, I moved to the United States where I lived with my parents and my younger sister. I enjoy meeting new people and listening to their own stories and backgrounds. I like to explore culture through trying out different types of cuisines, watching films and listening to songs. 

My goals: As an aspiring physician, I will be working with diverse groups of people. I am confident that the skills I learn from this program will significantly help me serve the needs of the communities I serve. 

Fun fact about me: I love to watch psychological thriller movies—anything that messes with the head.

A message to international students: Hello, Aggies! I'm so excited to welcome you to UC Davis. Having lived in different countries, I have realized the importance of developing cultural awareness and discovering how to manage relationships with people who grew up from different parts of the world. The transition to Davis is going to be different for each individual. Some will make a smooth transition, whereas others may face some hurdles. I ask that you use me as a resource. I am here as a mentor, friend, or peer advisor. I would love to get to know you more than just knowing your name. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding joining a club, getting research experience, or food recommendations. I look forward to meeting y'all! 

Jacquelyn Vo (she/her)

Jackie sits on a rock with water falls in the background pouring down a sheer rockface with greenery climbing up the face of the cliff and pouring into a large pool of water. Jackie's long straight black hair is worn long. She wears a destressed medium blue jean jacket over a white tank top with black, teal and coral striping and black shorts with a white draw string.

Place of origin: California
Languages: English, Vietnamese
Major: Neurobiology, physiology, and behavior 
Minor: Sociology 
Year: Third

About me: My name is Jacquelyn, but you can call me Jackie! My favorite things to do are going on road trips, catching sunsets or stargazing, and sleeping in on rainy days. In my free time, I love watching thriller movies, going to new coffee shops (despite my slight addiction to matcha) and thrifting! 

My goals: From a young age, I've always loved helping others. I hope to continue doing so as I embark on my journey towards being a physician assistant. Ultimately, I'd love to travel all over the world as a medical volunteer.

Fun fact about me: I love making Spotify playlists.

A message to international students: Welcome to UC Davis! I cannot begin to imagine just how much strength and courage it takes to travel to an entirely new place. I know it might seem scary at first, but I hope you're aware of the immense amount of support and resources you have from all of us mentor fellows along with the Global Learning Hub. I have no doubt that you will succeed and thrive as well as come to love Davis as your home away from home. You can do it. Feel free to reach out if anything comes up!