Meet some of our 2018-19 international graduates

From left to right: Blanche Butera, Shivang Vaidya, Xiao Yun Sim, Quan Pham, Kexin ‘Echo’ Zhang, Enea Pashaj, John Valencia, Hawra Mohammed and Mavuto Banda.
From left to right: Blanche Butera, Shivang Vaidya, Xiao Yun Sim, Quan Pham, Kexin ‘Echo’ Zhang, Enea Pashaj, John Valencia, Hawra Mohammed and Mavuto Banda.

by Courtney Van Hoosen | Office of Global Strategies
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Our international students come from more than 130 countries around the world.

Each one has a unique success story and a reason they say Nebraska is their home. Meet some of our graduates and hear their Husker journey.

From one home to another: Butera ready for career in Rwanda
Blanche Butera was born and raised in Kigali, Rwanda. After completing her secondary education in Rwanda, Butera came to Nebraska on the CASNR Undergraduate Scholarship Program (CUSP). Excited to return to Rwanda for a career in environmental studies, Butera knows Nebraska will always be her home.
Meet Blanche

Vaidya ready to ‘build’ future after Clifton Strengths Institute involvement
When Shivang Vaidya began his college decision journey from Navi Mumbai, India, he knew he wanted to attend a tight-knit, growing university. However, he never imagined just how much his college experience and involvement with the Clifton Strengths Institute would shape him as a person.
Meet Shivang

On-campus positions inspire Sim to serve the students
When Xiao Yun Sim came to Nebraska from Penang, Malaysia, she imagined her career would be in music therapy. However, after working with New Student Enrollment, Sim is eager to continue her education and ultimately serve students in higher education.
Meet Xiao Yun

Google search to global journey: water program leads Banda to Nebraska
Sometimes a simple internet search can change a whole life trajectory. In the case of Mavuto Banda, it took him from Malawi to the Netherlands to Nebraska through a unique partnership between IHE Delft in the Netherlands, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute.
Meet Mavuto

Zhang experiences the world in Nebraska
Before she even began college, Kexin “Echo” Zhang knew she wanted to study abroad. Now, after graduating from the Zhejiang University City College (ZUCC) Partnership Degree Program, she feels ready for a career in today’s global economy after her international experiences in Nebraska.
Meet Echo

Pham looks forward to skyscraper-tall dreams, still keeping Nebraska as his second home
Over the course of his last seven years at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as an undergraduate and graduate student, Quan Pham has made Nebraska his home. Now, as he graduates this May with his Master’s of Architecture, Pham is eager for his next journey and chasing big dreams.
Meet Quan

Pashaj welcome to succeed at Nebraska
As an international student from Albania, UNL encouraged Enea Pashaj to succeed across campus, from strong grades in his coursework to finding various on-campus jobs and winning awards for intramural sports. After earning his bachelor’s in accounting in May 2019, Pashaj will continue his education at UNL, pursuing his master’s and preparing for the CPA license.
Meet Enea

Mohammed carves her own path
Hawra Mohammed’s journey of more than 7,000 miles from her home in Muscat, Oman, to Lincoln, has spanned beyond academics and into self-reliance. Now, she graduates in May with a choice of employment and a bright future ahead.
Meet Hawra

Connections, professional opportunities propel Valencia towards the future
John Valencia has been traveling since he was 13 years old. Originally from Colombia, Valencia was unsure if he could find his place in Nebraska, but UNL’s diversity and welcoming community quickly changed his mind. Given all the tools he needs to succeed, Valencia is eager for his next steps.
Meet John

Access these graduate stories and more on the Global Nebraska website.