Meet the FIUTS Winter 2022 SUSI Ambassadors!
FIUTS is thrilled to welcome 20 undergraduates from Angola, Botswana, Mali, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe as part of the 2022 Study of the US Institute (SUSI) for Student Leaders on Civic Engagement. While this program usually takes place in person in Seattle, we are excited to work with these students virtually over the next few weeks, and hopefully, welcome them to Seattle in person once it’s safe for them to travel.
Although this program is currently online, FIUTS has still had the opportunity to have FIUTS Student Ambassadors involved. Ambassadors are a critical piece of the program and act as peer mentors, cultural liaisons, friends, and student leaders. During the 5-week virtual program, the SUSI participants and FIUTS Student Ambassadors have learned from one another and developed a special friendship.
As the SUSI on Civic Engagement program comes to an end in the coming week, we want to take a moment to recognize and introduce this year’s Student Ambassadors. Meet Orijeet, Georgia, Valeria, Lubna, and Absa.
Orijeet Mallik
Hi there! My name is Orijeet. I hail from the city of Mumbai, also tagged as the “city that never sleeps”. My home country is India. My current school is the Foster Business School which is a part of the University of Washington at Seattle. I am doing my Master in Information Systems over there and my favorite subject would be Data Analytics. I will be graduating in June 2022. I like hanging out with my friends in class. In my spare time, I love playing my guitar and finding new songs to cover. I love coffee, rock music, thriller series/movies, and some good-natured banter! I feel I will be learning a lot about the various cultures of the different countries in Africa. I believe I will be learning how to effectively communicate and interact with international students. This experience will surely help me move closer to my personal aim of having a global network of friends!
Georgia Pertsch
Hello everyone! My name is Georgia, I use they/them pronouns, and I am from San Francisco, California in the United States. I am a 3rd-year student (class of 2023) at the University of Washington in Seattle and I study Medical Anthropology & Global Health with a minor in Spanish. In my free time, I love to take care of my plants, cook and try new food, listen to music, and hang out with my friends. At UW, I play clarinet in the marching and concert bands! I really look forward to connecting with and learning about other students in the SUSI program.
Valeria Panduro
Hello! My name is Valeria. I was born in Illinois and raised in Yakima. Technically my home country is the U.S., but my home is in Mexico. My childhood was spent there too so I am divided. I attend the University of Washington as a first-year student. I like to study Political Science, Portuguese and any ethnic studies class. I will graduate 2024-2025. I like to write, do puzzles, watch movies, and drink coffee. I like listening to music and writing in my free time. I am looking forward to forming connections with everyone and learning from one another through the SUSI Program.
Lubna Mostafa Hassanain
Hi Everyone! My name is Lubna. I am Egyptian and Canadian, and I grew up in the Middle East. I go to the University of Washington in Seattle. I am in the class of 2025. I really like to study science, specifically chemistry and biology. I also like history. I like to go on walks, listen to music, and hang out with friends. I also like to do some art for fun sometimes. I am excited to learn more about other cultures and meet new people!
Absa Samaba
Hi everyone! I’m from The Gambia. I’m a graduate student at UW’s Evans School of Public Policy and Governance, doing a Master of Public Administration and my anticipated graduation date is June 2023. In my free time, I listen to lots of podcasts, go on hikes, cook, and volunteer. I’m excited to interact with the SUSI students and get to know them, learn about their cultures, and share mine with them. Also, I look forward to being a support to the students as they go through this journey.
The Study of the US Institute (SUSI) for Student Leaders is a program of the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, with funding provided by the U.S. Government, administered by Meridian International Center and FIUTS. The Winter 2022 program will run virtually from January 10-February 11.
The Study of the U.S. Institutes promote a better understanding of the people, institutions, and culture of the United States among students, teachers, and scholars. Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) are short-term academic programs for groups of undergraduate leaders, educators, and scholars from around the world. Learn more about the Study of the U.S. Institutes here.