Meet the Global Mentor Team
The Global Mentor Team is made up of upper-class student leaders who support students with global backgrounds. Many have lived or studied across cultures themselves and are passionate about creating a welcoming environment for new students from around the world.
You’ll connect with your Global Mentor before arriving on campus and meet them in person during International Student Orientation. Throughout your first year, your mentor will remain a consistent, supportive guide as you navigate life in a new country, culture, and campus.
Monica Ambrat
Position: Global Mentor
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Karachi, Pakistan
Major: Accounting
Involvement: Pakistani Student Association
What’s one thing you wish you had packed when you came to Augustana? My niece
What inspired you to become a Global Mentor? I was inspired by my mentor to become a Global Mentor, and through my own experience as an international student, I realized how challenging the transition can be. I want to help new students settle in faster than I did by creating a supportive and welcoming environment. I’m especially excited to guide them and make their experience smoother from the start.
Afua Asirifi-Bonsu
Position: Global Mentor
Year: Senior
Hometown: Accra, Ghana
Majors: Data Science, Psychology
Involvement: African Students Association, Global Engagement Team, Office of the Vice President for Culture and Connection Student Assistant, Office of Student Life Tech Team
What’s one thing you wish you had packed when you came to Augustana? Choco Milo
What helped you feel most at home during your first semester at Augustana? Being with other international students who I could relate with really helped because it emphasized the fact that I’m not completely alone in my experiences.
Kayle Essilfie
Position: Global Mentor
Year: Junior
Hometown: Accra, Ghana
Majors: Public Health, Sociology
Involvement: African Students Association, Sigma Pi Delta
What’s one thing you wish you had packed when you came to Augustana? All the food from my country
What inspired you to become a Global Mentor? As an international student, I understand how overwhelming it can feel to adjust to a new environment, and I wanted to be someone who helps make that transition easier for others. I’m excited to connect with new students, share my experiences, and help create a welcoming and inclusive community at Augustana.
Deborah Kodom-Achempem
Position: Global Mentor
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Accra, Ghana
Majors: International Business, Political Science
Involvement: African Students Association
What’s one thing you wish you had packed when you came to Augustana? My high school scrap book
What helped you feel most at home during your first semester at Augustana? What helped me feel the most at home during my first semester at Augustana was building a genuine connection with people around me and having a good community of friends. I built a great connection with my Ghanaian friend as well as Nigerians and Ethiopians. Learning about other cultures also helped me feel like we connected with each other in a way because most of our backgrounds were connected in ways I didn’t even think was possible. The professors also contributed to helping me feel comfortable. They were so nice and supportive.
Dikchita Maharjan
Position: Global Mentor
Year: Junior
Hometown: Kathmandu, Nepal
Majors: Economics, Communications Studies
Involvement: Nepali Student Association, Viking Pups, Augie Baking Club
What’s one thing you wish you had packed when you came to Augustana? Small gifts and souvenirs and leave behind some of the clothes
What helped you feel most at home during your first semester at Augustana? Connecting with other students through campus events and forming a study group helped me feel part of the community. Having supportive peers and mentors made the transition smoother and more enjoyable.
Nepa Mahat Shahi
Position: Global Mentor Lead
Year: Senior
Hometown: Kathmandu, Nepal
Majors: Neuroscience, Political Science
Involvement: Admissions Ambassador, Global Engagement Team - Co-President, Reading/Writing Center Peer Tutor, Research Assistant, The Culture Collective
What’s one thing you wish you had packed when you came to Augustana? Titaura, a snack from back home
What inspired you to become a Global Mentor? I became a Global Mentor because I know first-hand how disorienting it can be to move to a new county and culture alone. I am most excited at the possibility of creating real, honest, connections between students and helping make the process less stressful for incoming international students.
Imane Mansouri
Position: Global Mentor
Year: Junior
Hometown: Marrakech, Morocco
Majors: Business Intelligence, Data Analytics
Involvement: Advertising Developers, Business for Humanity scholars program, EDGE Center - Intern & Social Media Team
What’s one thing you wish you had packed when you came to Augustana? A power adapter. It was such a struggle to charge my devices while I waited for a new one to arrive.
What advice would you give to a new international student? It is okay to feel unsure about what you want to do. I switched my major four times during my first year at Augie, and it was through that journey that I was able to figure out what I truly want to pursue!
Bijaya Rana
Position: Global Mentor Lead
Year: Senior
Hometown: Kathmandu, Nepal
Majors: Data Analytics, Economics
Involvement: Global Engagement Team - Co-President, Innovation Competition Team - Social Chair, Learning Commons - Academic Coach and Peer Tutor, The Culture Collective
What’s one thing you wish you had packed when you came to Augustana? Sel Roti and Titaura
What are you most excited about as a Global Mentor? I’m most excited about sharing my own experiences, supporting international students, and organizing events that bring our diverse community together.
Pedro Reis
Position: Global Mentor
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Curitiba, Brazil
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Involvement: Club Soccer, Augustana Physics and Engineering Society
What’s one thing you wish you had packed when you came to Augustana? My Ukulele
What helped you feel most at home during your first semester at Augustana? I made an effort to call my parents every day and stayed involved in activities that reminded me of home, like playing soccer. I also enjoyed cooking traditional dishes from my country with friends, which helped me feel more connected to home.
Huzefa Saghir Memon
Position: Global Mentor
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Hyderabad, Pakistan
Majors: Computer Science, Accounting
Involvement: Google Developer Club, Pickleball Club
What’s one thing you wish you had packed when you came to Augustana? Snacks and spices from my country
What advice would you give to a new international student coming to Augustana? Don’t wait for things to come to you instead, say yes to everything in your first few weeks, even if it feels uncomfortable. The people you meet and the connections you make early on will carry you through the hardest days of being far from home.
Natepy Vann
Position: Global Mentor
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Majors: Computer Science, Public Health
Involvement: Google Developer Student Club, Circle K, EDGE Center
What’s one thing you wish you had packed when you came to Augustana? Spices
What advice would you give to a new international student coming to Augustana? Don’t be afraid to talk to people! Remember, everyone is new here and trying to find their place too. The first week of college is the perfect time to meet new friends and start building your community.