Atul Ojha

Nepal, Asai. Chemistry

I am Atul, originally from Nepal, and I came to UNM in 2021 to pursue a PhD in Chemistry. I must say that it has been an outstanding experience. Since arriving at UNM, I have learned a great deal academically, professionally, and even personally. As someone who loves languages, I have also been able to immerse myself in other languages and cultures. I try to participate in as many events as possible to get the best experience.

Message to the other international students of UNM: Remember why they chose to come here, to stay motivated, and to seek help to take care of their mental health and well-being.

Also, please try to get enough sleep - as cliché as it may sound!

Saiqa Shahzadi

Pakistan, Asia. Communication and Journalism

My name is Saiqa, I am a PhD student in Communication and Journalism from Pakistan specializing in media studies with a focus on women, gender, and race.

My experience as an international student has been enlightening and enriching. I’ve appreciated the diversity at UNM, which has made my transition to the U.S. smoother. My accomplishments include acclimating to new academic settings, whereas my challenges involve reconciling cultural differences with academic standards. One thing I love about UNM is its welcoming environment and the richness of cultural diversity.

Message to the other international students of UNM: Embrace the diversity and obstacles as integral components of your developmental journey. Every experience, whether positive or difficult, helps you build resilience and find your place in a global community.

Motto: "Use your voice to amplify others, particularly those who are marginalized."

Joseph Conteh

Sierra Leone, Africa. Public Administration

I am Joseph, a master’s student from Sierra Leone. I currently serve as the Grants Director of the Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA), President of the African Student Association, and as a Teaching Assistant at the Anderson School of Management.

My experience as an international student in the U.S. and at UNM has been incredibly enriching. I’ve had the opportunity to engage in meaningful projects and leadership roles, such as increasing student engagement and securing significant donations for the UNM Food Pantry to student support services. One thing I love about UNM is the vibrant and supportive community that fosters both personal and professional growth.

Message to the other international students of UNM: Embrace every opportunity to get involved and connect with the community. Your unique perspectives and contributions are invaluable, and there are countless resources and support systems available to help you succeed.

Motto: “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Ana Hinestroza

Ecuador, Latin America. Economics

I am Ana, a PhD candidate in Economics from Quito, Ecuador. My research focuses on the intersection between health and public economics.

My experience as an international student at UNM has been incredibly positive, and I feel fortunate to call Albuquerque my home away from home. While being far from my family has been my greatest challenge, my involvement on campus and as a graduate mentor has connected me with amazing friends, mentors, and colleagues who have helped me adapt to life in the U.S. and deepened my appreciation for my home and background. I would say my biggest success has been meeting great people who are now my support system.

Message to the other international students of UNM: Get involved! There are countless opportunities to take advantage of, from research and academic organizations to student government and resource centers where you can meet supportive people. Don’t hesitate to step out of your comfort zone and explore different activities; for example, there's even a lettuce club where students gather to eat lettuce! There is something for everyone.

Personal Motto: "Always explore new places, seek new adventures, and remain open-minded."

Munes Nazzal

Palestine, Asia. Linguistics

I am Munes Nazzal a master's student in the Linguistics program, and a Fulbright Scholar from Palestine. As a fully visually impaired student, traveling from the other side of the world and crossing such a long distance by myself wasn’t easy. However, I chose to embrace the challenge and embark on this journey.

I’ve found UNM to be a warm, vibrant, and highly respectful place that welcomes people from all backgrounds, ethnicities, and abilities. Of course, my experience hasn’t been without its difficulties—navigating campus independently and adapting to a new culture have been among the challenges I’ve faced. But I’ve also encountered an incredible community here, including supportive instructors, helpful staff, and, of course, my wonderful fellow students.

Overall, this experience has opened new horizons for me, enriching and enlightening me in ways I could never have imagined.

Message to the other international students of UNM: Whatever challenge, obstacle, or difficulty you face in life, embrace it, smile, and overcome it.

Luis Amador

Ecuador, Latin America. Biology

I am Luis, a post-doctoral researcher and scholar from Ecuador. I work in the Department of Biology with Dr. Lisa Barrow and study genetic diversity in amphibians around the world.

My experience as an International Scholar in the USA has been great. I am here with my family, my wife and two kids, and we love New Mexico. We love the weather and the diverse geography.  One of my challenges has been practicing English, but I am improving every day. Everyone at UNM is very kind, and they make us feel welcome and safe.

Message to other international students of UNM: Drink a lot of water, as we are in a desert. Also make sure to find a good and helpful mentor, this is very important to advance your career and be successful.

Personal Motto: "Embrace the uncertainty."

Anum Amin

Pakistan, Asia. Communication Sciences and Disorders

My name is Anum Amin, and I am from Pakistan. I am a first-year PhD student majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders, with a research focus on neurorehabilitation following stroke, traumatic brain injury, or neurodegenerative diseases. 

As an international student, my experience in the U.S. and at UNM has been both enriching and challenging. Navigating a new academic system has been a learning curve, but I have greatly appreciated the support that faculty and peers have provided throughout this transition. One thing I love about UNM is its diverse community, which has made me feel welcomed and valued. UNM not only provides us with excellent resources but also offers opportunities to become the best version of ourselves. 

Message to other international students of UNM: Embrace the journey - seek out opportunities, build connections, and remember that challenges help you grow. It may be difficult to start, but persistence in the face of adversity leads to growth.  

Personal Motto: "Commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort."

Dayeon Yoo

South Korea, Asia. Computer Science

 My name is Dayeon Yoo, and I’m an exchange student from Dongguk University in South Korea, currently majoring in Computer Science at UNM. During my time here, I’ve had the chance to develop and manage my own photo booth app, ‘SnapIT!,’ collaborating with various UNM events—a truly meaningful experience. GEO has been incredibly supportive to international students like me, making it easier to explore these opportunities. Since coming to UNM, I’ve achieved a lot: winning first place at the NASA Space Apps Challenge, working as a faculty aide on a research project with my professor, and writing a thesis in computer vision. I even joined the engineering club and attended a conference in Chicago.

What I love about UNM is that exchange students are given the same opportunities as full-time students, which isn’t always the case at other universities. Here, we can fully engage in campus activities and take on new challenges. To other international students at UNM, I would say: try everything you’re curious about! The more you actively seek out, the more you’ll gain from this experience.

Personal Motto: "a better version of myself than yesterday."

Freshness Uzo-Hez

Nigeria, Africa. Psychology

My name is Freshness Uzo-Hez, and I’m from Nigeria. I am currently pursuing a Bachelor in Psychology. My experience as an international student at UNM has been incredibly positive so far, largely due to the university's extensive resources that support students' academic and career growth.

When I transferred to UNM, I wanted to get involved in research. A workshop by the Undergraduate Research, Arts & Design (URAD) Network, taught me how to reach out to faculty members in labs I was interested in. Although it can be challenging to get a professor's attention on such a large campus, the skills I gained in this workshop helped me successfully connect with faculty and then volunteer as a research assistant. Currently, I’m conducting research under the supervision of the Arts and Sciences Support for Undergraduate Research (ASSURE) program and the Department of Emergency Medicine at UNM Hospital.

Message to other international students of UNM: Make full use of the resources available to you at UNM, and don't hesitate to ask faculty or staff for guidance on opportunities. Keep asking until you’re pointed in the right direction. Also join a student organization that interests you and engage in extracurricular activities to find a healthy balance between academics and social life.

Personal Motto: "Stay consistent and trust that, in time, things will work out for good."