International Student Pre-orientation (ISP)

Olivia Kraft ’25 | She/her

Japan/USA

Mathematical Statistics

Hey everyone, welcome to Smith! I'm a rising Junior from Japan and the US, majoring in mathematical statistics. During my time here, I've been quite involved in the ISSO. Last year, I was the ISP leader and the social media intern. I also spent a lot of time at the office in the evenings doing homework with my international friends. ISSO hosts a lot of fun events through out the year, you should look forward to them! ISP has been a great way for me to start off the school years, both as an incoming first year (it's been two years...) and as a leader. I hope I can help make ISP 2023 an amazing one for you all, I'm so excited for it!! I spend most of my time outside of academics and work with my running club that I'm leading. Feel free to reach out with any questions!

Nandini Chakravorty ’24 | She/her

India

Computer Science & Engineering

Hi! I am from New Delhi, India but growing up as the child of a diplomat, I have lived in Colombia, India, Bangladesh, Peru, and the US (New York specifically). On campus, I am in EKTA (the South Asian org), The Smiffenpoofs (go a cappella!) and I work at ITS on campus. Due to the fact that my first year was 2020, I did not get a chance to experience ISP in all its glory and so I am here to finally change that! I want to use this opportunity to work with all the wonderful international Smithies on campus and get to know the amazing first years who are going to be joining our community. I hope that my experiences over the past three years will prove useful and I am always down to lend a ear or give advice if needed!

Hildana Mulugeta Shiferaw ’25 | She/her

Ethiopia

Engineering and Biological Sciences

Hi everyone, I'm Hildana, originally from the southern part of Ethiopia, where I spent my early years and completed my schooling until high school. Seeking educational opportunities, I made the move to Johannesburg, South Africa, where I attended the African Leadership Academy to pursue CAIE. Leaving behind my family and everything familiar, this journey introduced me to countless experiences. Motivated by my own transformative journey, I took on the role of an ISP leader, driven to share my valuable experiences and connect with international students from all corners of the world. Currently, I am pursuing a double major in Engineering Science and Biological Sciences. Although my academic commitments limit my involvement in extracurricular activities, I enjoy spending time with friends, exploring downtown and taking peaceful walks, either by myself or in the company of others.

Trang Tran ’25 | She/her

Vietnam

Quantitative Economics

Hi, I'm Trang, a rising junior majoring in Quantitative Economics from Vietnam. On campus, I'm most active in the Investment Club and Debate Society. I also enjoy hiking, dancing specifically waacking, eating Poke Bowl at Northampton and Miss Saigon at Amherst. I am excited to meet international Smithies class of 2027 through ISP!!

Haroula Giagkozoglou ’26 | She/her

Greece

Quantitative Economics and Anthropology

Hello! My name is Haroula Giagkozoglou (Class of 26), and I am from Thessaloniki, Greece. Last year, I was a member of the Student Government and took part in First Gen Out Loud, which is a community building and leadership program for first-generation students. I also started rock climbing and joined the International Student Organization (ISO), which organizes many fun events! I became an ISP leader so I could give back to my community and help fellow international Smithies have a positive experience during their transition to the US and to college life. I am looking forward to meeting you!!! :)

Julieta Michelin Salomon ’25 | She/her

Uruguay

Quantitative Economics and Collaborative Innovation Concentration 

Hey there! My name is Julieta, you can also call me Juli, and I am a rising junior from Uruguay. I was born and raised there, and my fun fact is that my first time flying on a plane was when I came to study at Smith. Here I am involved in the International Students Organization, Latin American Students Organization and I often spend time in the Conway Center and Design Thinking Initiative. I also love exploring the area and engaging in outdoor activities! My reason to be an ISP leader is to use everything I have learned in these two years at Smith to help students that are in the same position I was two years ago. I am really excited to listen everyone’s stories and support all of you in this journey!

Arisha Faiyas ’26 | She/her

Bangladesh

Engineering

Welcome Class of 2027! I am Arisha (eh-ree-shah), a rising sophomore from Dhaka, Bangladesh. When I first arrived here, Smith seemed like a vast world of unknowns But by the time Orientation came around, I was surprised by how much of the campus I was already familiar with. So far, I have worked as an engineering lab assistant, attended several lunch box lectures (sometimes even got paid for it as the event assistant), gone rock-climbing with friends, haggled with Bombay Royale as EKTA’s Social Chair, drenched my clothes working in the dining halls, etc. I would not have had the confidence to explore Smith without the support I received at ISP. I hope to be a guidepost for you, your umbrella in the rain, so you too can find home in this wonderful place! 

Su Than Thar Nyi ’24J | She/her

Myanmar (Burma)

Government and Statistical & Data Sciences

Hi everyone, welcome to Smith! I'm Su from Yangon, Myanmar, and I am double-majoring in Government and Statistical & Data Sciences. Meanwhile, I have also enjoyed branching out from my majors and taking classes in other departments, including Korean. I am currently working as a research assistant in the East Asian Politics Lab, and I had also been a part of various organizations including the International Student's Organization and the Smith Startup Consulting Group. Although transitioning to college life in a new country was definitely challenging, ISP helped me find an incredible support system and a welcoming community where I have made life-long connections. I am excited to meet all of you in-person and offer my support as you embark on your journey at Smith!

Kyara Jazmín Soto Villarreal ’26 | She/they

Mexico

Physics and Astronomy

Hiiii :)

I am Kyara and I am from Mexico City. I am planning to double major in Physics and Astronomy. I was a competitive  archer for a long time and I am the co-president of the archery club here. Feel free to contact me if you want to talk about stargazing, bows, anime, literature or magical realism!

Defne Tekin ’25 | She/her

Turkey

Studio Art

Hi everyone, welcome to Smith :) My name is Defne and I come from Istanbul, Turkey but I also lived in a few other countries growing up! I am a studio art major and a neuroscience minor. Outside of classes, you can find me giving tours as a gold key tour guide, going to rehearsal for a student play that I’m currently acting in, or taking pictures around campus! I look forward to getting to know you all during ISP!

Michelle Lawson ’26 | She/her

Ghana

Computer Science and Global Finance Concentration

Straight from the heart of Ghana, where we're as serious about our Jollof rice as we are about our hospitality, I've found a second home here at Smith College. When I'm not getting deep into the world of Computer Science or trying to decipher the code of Finance, you can catch me lighting up the dance floor with the Black Rhythms team. If you've got some Afro-Caribbean soul in you and a penchant for shaking a leg, you know where to find us!

Now, on becoming an ISP leader – it's like this: remember the first time you tried to say "Worcestershire" and got lost halfway? That's a bit what being an international student can feel like. So I thought, why not help turn those syllable stumbles into confident strides for the newcomers? After all, a journey of a thousand miles should begin with a friend, not a fright!

Also, I like poetry, if you can’t already tell.

Nadya-Catherine Ismail ’26 | any pronouns

Japan

Mathematics and Music

Hey everyone! My name is Nadya and I'm a rising sophomore living in Park House (best house!) and majoring in maths and music. I'm from Tokyo, Japan and I'm half Japanese half Pakistani. On campus I'm a part of glee club, chamber choir, and Duct Tape Productions (the student-run musical org), and I'm planning on joining an acappella group, the Smiffenpoofs, next semester. I wanted to be an ISP leader because the international community made me feel so at home here at Smith, and helped guide me through the transition to Smith. ISP made me feel so welcome here and I hope you all feel the same once you're here! I can't wait to get to know you all and I'm excited to see you on campus!

Lucia Luyang Qin ’26 | She/they

China

Quantitative Economics

Hi everyone! I'm Lucia also Luyang and I am from Nanjing, China. I love dancing and was the vice chair of Smith Kpop Dance Club. I will be the treasurer next year and I am looking forward to exploring and contributing to other clubs as well. I always find great pleasure in the process of connecting with individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures. This desire to foster meaningful interactions with people from around the world is what has led me to aspire to become an ISP leader.

Hala Maloul ’26 | She/her

Palestine

Computer Science, Chemistry minor

Hi everyone, I am from Palestine. I am a rising sophomore double majoring in Computer Science and Chemistry. I am so excited to be an ISP leader this year. Last year I felt like ISP was one of my favorite experiences at Smith as I got to meet my amazing friends. I am looking forward to being your ISP leader this year and I can't wait to walk you through the start of this new adventure.

Daniela Pilier ’26 | She/her

Dominican Republic

Quantitative Economics and Applied Statistics

My name is Daniela, I am a rising sophomore and I’m majoring in Quantitative Economics with a concentration in Global Finance, and minoring in Applied Statistics. I’m part of Smith’s Track and Field Varsity Team and will be part of the e-board of the International Student Organization, Smithies in Business and Smith College Consulting Club. I became an ISP Leader to give back and make incoming international smithies live the amazing experience I had last year.