Our Recipients
Amna Zeeshan
Pakistan
Undeclared CEPS
Involvement: Research Assistantship - CRHC, Ideas and Innovation Society, Changemaker Fellowship, IESS, Honors College, Innovation Scholars.
I’m from Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, and I’m the first woman in my family to pursue higher education abroad. At UNH, I’m conducting research on snow hydrology with Dr. Jennifer Jacobs and working on ocean engineering research with Dr. Matthew Florence through the Innovation Scholars Program. Alongside my academics, I stay actively involved on campus through international and sustainability-focused initiatives.
I love sharing stories about Pakistan and my culture, and I enjoy connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. A little fun fact about me—I’m happiest when I’m either at the beach or hiking. I have also been deeply involved in volunteering and community initiatives throughout
high school. IESS has made my journey at UNH possible, and I plan to make use of it in the best way possible
Duana Lama
Nepal / Ireland
Undeclared - Liberal Arts
Involvement: I am on the UNH Women’s Swimming and Diving team and attend events hosted by the Nepali Student Association. I also work within UNH Athletics, serving as event staff for athletic events and supporting sales, public relations, branding, and media efforts. In addition to my campus involvement, I have enjoyed creating art, particularly sculpture and painting, focusing on themes related to Nepal, community development, and poverty.
I am half Nepali and half Irish. I love traveling!! I have spent a lot of my time growing up in the Annapurna mountain range in Nepal, Ireland and Phuket, Thailand. I am a national swimmer for Nepal and have had the opportunity of representing them on the international stage.
Edo van Eijden
Netherlands
Sports Management and Leadership
Involvement: Volunteer coach for the UNH Field Hockey team, Intramural Soccer and Volleyball, IESS
I am originally from Laren, in the Netherlands, however at the age of 7 I moved to Jersey, UK. I have followed in my mums' footsteps of going to UNH to pursue my passion for sport. I am trying to get involved in as much of what UNH has to offer. With my goals consisting of learning a lot from being part of the Field Hockey set up here at UNH and explore as much as I can of this new culture by putting myself out there. I also passionately follow Soccer, especially my team in the Netherlands, Ajax.
Pratham Sarker
Bangladesh
Computer Science
Involvement: In the Desi Students' Association (DSA), I am the Creative Media Designer where I manage all creative assets like social media layouts and print materials to ensure a cohesive and vibrant aesthetic for the organization’s cultural initiatives. In the Bangladeshi Students' Association (BSA), I am Vice President of Communications where I am in charge of the organization’s internal and external communication strategies and will act as the primary liaison between the executive board, the student body, and external partners.
My journey from Bangladesh to the Â鶹app is a reflection of my belief in learning beyond borders and connecting with different cultures. I want to share my stories, listen to others, and celebrate both our differences and shared humanity. I hope to be someone who learns and helps to create a more understanding and united world.
Ryad Ouhhabi
Morocco
Physics and Astronomy
Involvement: I'm currently the president and founder of the UNH Astronomy Club and a volunteer staff member at the UNH observatory where I operate telescopes and communicate science to the public that comes there. I have also been tutoring middle schoolers in Math and English at the UNH Community Literacy Center as a campus job. I'm also in the Innovation Scholars program, and the Honors College. A goal for this year is to do some archery and eventually I want to learn piano.
Receiving the IESS scholarship was a pivotal moment in Ryad Ouhhabi's academic journey, as it allowed him to pursue his dream of studying physics and astronomy abroad and be a cultural representative of Morocco and its identity on a global level. Guided by a passion for the unknown, Ryad sailed across the skies towards UNH, where he made many friends from all over the world and immersed himself in the world of physics and astronomy as he always wished.
Sophie Lorenscheit
Germany
Psychology
Involvement: Idea and Innovation Society, Women in Business, The New Hampshire Student Newspaper, German Club, Film Club
I come from Münster, Germany, where I grew up with three brothers and the dream to go to the US for College. I am very grateful that the International Engagements & Service Scholarship has made this possible for me. Being in UNH allows me to pursue my passion for equality, psychology and advocacy to eventually become a human rights attorney and help people all around the world.
During Highschool, I have engaged in promoting community, anti-discrimination and cultural responsibility through organizing events and serving as student body president; here, I aspire to take on more leadership roles and embrace my culture. That’s one of the reasons I became part of the German Club, where I can support students in improving their language skills and answer their questions about my country.
Tommy Ho
Vietnam
Business Administration
Involvement: Changemaker fellowship, United Asian Coalition (UAC) club, piano, Intramural basketball, Paul College FIRE program.
I am determined to make a positive impact on campus by sharing my culture with the community. Not only by doing presentations, but I also actively express my love for my nation and proudly share the Vietnamese music that I grew up with everyone. I strive to be engaged in multiple events that are happening to connect with interesting people.
Martin Babak
Ukraine
Computer Science
Involvement: Intramural Soccer, IESS Website, Holloway Competition
Martin, a scholarship recipient, had the opportunity to move from Ukraine to the United States, motivated by his passion for cultural exchange and software development. He is determined to make a positive impact on both the community and the field of technology by merging these interests. For an IESS presentation, Martin expresses interest in exploring three topics: "Education in Ukraine," "His experience playing soccer in Ukraine," and "Ukrainian Christmas."
Viktorie Vágnerová
Czech Republic
Mechanical Engineering
Involvement: Idea & SEDS - UNH rocketry club (propulsion team), UNH Idea & Innovation Society, Shaw Explorers Program, WarChild UNH (co-founder with Daryna and Caroline)
Viktorie comes from a historic spa town Teplice in the north of Czechia, where she grew up with her three brothers. During high school, her hobbies were languages (German, Japanese), flying with gliders, and Nordic skiing. In her first year at UNH, Viktorie was on the Nordic ski team as a D1 athlete and competed against other universities on the East Coast. Besides sports, she is very passionate about space and technology and plans to pursue a career in the aerospace industry. Additionally, Viktorie is very interested in engaging with the UNH international community, learning about different cultures, meeting interesting people with amazing stories, and making UNH more inclusive for students from various backgrounds and cultures!
Md Jonayet Hossain
Bangladesh
Electrical Engineering
Involvement: UNH-IOL| IEEE-UNH| BSA-UNH | E-CENTER | Hackathon 2023 | GLE | IESS
As the first person from Jonayet’s family to ever travel abroad for studies and land in the United States to complete his undergraduate degree, he feels delighted to share some of the distinguishing aspects that set his family apart from most South Asians. Despite Bangladesh’s small size as a country, Jonayet would love to highlight the rich diversity of cultures within this tiny nation, which might come as a surprise to many.
Caroline Anjos
Brazil
Electrical engineering
Involvement: Warchild (awaiting club approval, co-founder with friends), MOSAICO (Latinx club).
Caroline Anjos came from São Paulo, Brazil. No words can describe how grateful she is for the opportunity to do her bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering at UNH. Her ultimate dream is to work in the biomedical area and be able to help people with medical instruments. She is driven by her ultimate inspiration, her grandfather, and her goal - to be able to stimulate an inquisitive and embracing community everywhere she goes. For an IESS presentation, she would be interested in talking about diversity/multiculturalism in Brazil, the backstory of Brazil's colonization, and how passionate Brazilians can be about soccer.
Sujosh Nag
Bangladesh
Computer Science & IT
Involvement: Idea & Innovation Society
Sujosh is from the vibrant Dhaka city, Bangladesh, and is now embarking on a transformative voyage to the United States. Fueled by an unwavering passion for Mathematics, International Relations, and the ever-evolving realm of technology, Sujosh's drive is to ignite the flames of positive change within communities, foster innovation, and make a lasting impact. For an IESS presentation, Sujosh would be interested in the following topics: 1) Microfinance in Bangladesh: Transforming Lives and Alleviating Poverty, 2) Bangladesh's Garment Industry: From Labor Force to Global Fashion Hub, 3) The Rise of Quantum Computing: A New Frontier in Computing Power.
Dhiraj S Naidu
India
Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology
Involvement: Dhiraj is involved in UNH Idea and Innovation Society
Biology, the study of life, has always fascinated Dhiraj, which brought him here to UNH. The IESS scholarship supported him in pursuing his dreams, and he's glad to be a part of such a diverse and vibrant community. During his time here at UNH, he hopes to be as resourceful as possible for his peers while making the best of the opportunities provided to him. Some topics that he would love to present on include 'The Roads in India' and 'The Festivals of India'.
Mishel Aronzon
Kazakhstan
Program and Event Management
Involvement: IESS
Throughout her high school career, Mishel has been deeply involved in organizing events, participating in theater and music-related activities, and volunteering. She managed to combine all of these passions by choosing to major in Program and Event Management. Her goal is to elevate the entertainment industry in her country to new heights and, in turn, serve society. Considering her interests, for IESS presentations, Mishel would like to explore the field of entertainment in Kazakhstan, starting with traditional celebrations and customs and progressing to more modern events. Additionally, she can provide insights on education in Kazakhstan and even offer a comparison to the USA, as she has firsthand experience in both systems.
Tianyi Duan
China
Biology
Involvement: Juggling Club, UNH Concert Choir, Campus Living Association (through Hall Council)
Tianyi is a freshman at UNH originating from Beijing, China. In eighth grade, she came to the U.S. and studied at High Mowing School in Wilton, New Hampshire. It was a small private Waldorf school (an educational system originating from Germany, which she is happy to do a presentation on) with about 150 students. Despite its size, the school had a diverse student body, with students from 20-30 different countries. Tianyi is ¼ ethnically Mongolian and has had classmates/friends that belong to minority nationalities in China. She might be able to offer some insight on the experience of ethnic minorities in China based on her own experiences. She is also happy to talk about her own experiences, whether that's traveling to different parts of China or her life here in the U.S.
Dija Haq
Pakistan
Analytical Economics
Involvement: Economics Club, Inclusive Leadership Fellow, Business Ethics Teaching Assistant, Research Assistant
As a Pashtun from North-Western Pakistan, I am the first woman from my village to pursue higher education abroad. The International Engagement & Service Scholarship has facilitated my study at UNH which has expanded my horizons and unveiled countless possibilities to me. My studies have ignited a passion within me to contribute to women's advancement and the field of economics. I take immense pride in being a student at UNH, as it has provided me with abundant opportunities for personal and professional growth.
I actively engage in various activities on campus and in the local community. I have been working on economic research with Professor Bruce Elmslie and was an international student orientation leader over the summer which taught me leadership and communication skills. Over J-Term I went to Senegal for the International Changemaker Grant to make a local boarding school sustainable. I was also a teaching assistant for the business ethics class and the Director of Equity and Outreach for the economics club. This semester I am continuing my work on research and working as a business analyst at the Center for Business Analytics.
Daryna Serediuk
Ukraine
Biochemistry, Molecular & Cellular Biology
Involvement: WarChild UNH club. Assistant in the Kovach lab led by Professor Adrienne Kovach. UNH Club Tennis Team.
I come from Lutsk, a city located in the northwest region of Ukraine. Growing up around beautiful landscapes in my country I started hiking and skiing when I was a child finding out that mountains are my happy place. My passion for molecular biology started from a young age as well. Participating in biology competitions in Ukraine and developing bioengineering innovations in US boarding school I became particularly interested in genetic engineering as my future career path. Beyond science, I love doing visual art and photography. Making a lot of friends all around the world I discovered a new passion for me - traveling. In my IESS presentation, I want to tell my story about how the Ukrainian spirit and strength of my people changed my path in volunteering.
Alonso Michaud
Peru
Mechanical Engineering
Involvement: UNH Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS), MOSAICO, The American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Archery Club, and the Advanced Manufacturing Cohort at Innovation Scholars.
I am an International Student from Lima, Perú. I am currently studying Mechanical Engineering and have intentions in pursuing a minor in Electrical and Computer engineering in the hopes of dedicating myself to the field of either Aerospace Engineering or Medical Robotics in the future.
