Global Educators Program

Source: https://isss.illinois.edu/get-involved/global-educators/ Parent: https://isss.illinois.edu/

The Global Educators Program is designed to empower international students, scholars, and their dependents by providing them with meaningful opportunities to share their cultural heritage and experiences with the broader university and surrounding community. Through active participation in events and initiatives, Global Educators will foster cross-cultural understanding, enhance intercultural and global competencies, and contribute to the university’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. The program aims to develop participants’ leadership, presentation, and intercultural communication skills while promoting a campus environment that celebrates global perspectives.

Program Overview

Global Educators is a cohort, volunteer-based program that allows international students, scholars, and their dependents to contribute to Global and Intercultural Experiences and Learning programs throughout the academic year. Global Educators share cultural presentations, teach language basics, and connect with the broader campus community to spread intercultural understanding. They also play an integral role in shaping events. From brainstorming event ideas to coordinating program logistics, participants actively contribute to making events impactful and meaningful. Participants receive a certificate upon fulfilling all program requirements.

Who Should Apply?

Are you passionate about sharing your culture and connecting with others? The Global Educators Program is perfect for anyone who wants to make a meaningful impact on campus by representing their home country. If you’re enthusiastic about intercultural exchange and open to building new skills, we’d love to have you apply!

Eligibility Requirements

We’re looking for passionate individuals who:

Are current students, scholars, or dependents (18+) excited to share their culture with the campus and surrounding community.
Are committed to learning and leadership through intercultural exchange.
Are enthusiastic about connecting with others and creating a more inclusive, globally aware community.

Participant Requirements

Program Time Commitment

The Global Educator program runs for one semester (September – December, February – May). Additional opportunities may exist during the summer. Participants have the option for renewal.

All participants must be available on Thursdays from 12:30-1:150 p.m. CST throughout the semester. This time block includes cohort meetings and Global Educator-supported programs such as Coffee Across Cultures Hour and Intercultural Spotlights.

Meeting Dates

January 29
February 5
February 19
March 12
April 9
April 23

Event Dates – Coffee Across Cultures Hour

February 12
March 5
March 26
April 16
May 7

Event Dates – Intercultural Spotlights

February 26
April 2
April 30

Participation Expectations

Global Educators are expected to:

Attend program meetings throughout the semester.
Facilitate or co-facilitate at least two events per semester. Examples of involvement include:
Representing your country or culture at events like International Education Week’s Travel Around the World, Indoor World Cup, or Taste of Language
Contributing to Names Across Cultures, Intercultural Spotlights, and cross-cultural topics
Leading a cultural presentation or workshop

Upon joining, participants will sign a commitment agreement, outlining these expectations to ensure a fulfilling experience.

Participation Benefits

As a Global Educator, you’ll have the opportunity to:

Enhance Your Presentation and Communication Skills: Gain experience in public speaking, teaching, and engaging diverse audiences.
Build Community Connections: Connect with peers and campus members who are interested in learning about global cultures.
Receive Recognition: Earn a certificate upon completing your service, highlighting your contributions and new skills.

Application Process

Submit Your Application

Applications for the Spring 2026 Global Educators Program open December 1, 2025.

The Global Educators Program uses a rolling acceptance process. Applications are reviewed as they are submitted, and strong candidates may be accepted early. For the best chance of selection, apply by the priority deadline of December 18, 2025.

The final deadline is January 8, 2026, and all applicants will receive a decision by January 15, 2026.

Apply for the Spring 2026 Global Educators Program

Selection Process

Our team will review applications and invite participants from diverse backgrounds to join the Global Educators Program.

Events and Opportunities

Event Calendar

Check out our Event Calendar to see upcoming events where Global Educators will be participating. Join us for signature events that celebrate cultural exchange and learning, such as the Global Talent Show, Indoor World Cup, Travel Around the World, and Taste of Language.

Meet Our Global Educators

Fall 2025 Cohort

Chin-Hsuan (Sharon) Cheng

Chin-Hsuan (Sharon) Cheng is a D.M.A. student in piano performance and literature, with a cognate in piano pedagogy. She is also the 2025 Krannert Center debut artist. As a Taiwanese student at Illinois, she is committed to connecting and forming friendships with individuals worldwide while also sharing her knowledge of Taiwanese culture. To preserve and share her heritage, she always includes Taiwanese piano compositions in her recital programs, participated as a student blogger in the School of Music, and has spoken at a national conference to share her experiences as an international student. In her free time, she enjoys swimming and social dancing, and during breaks, she plans trips (usually solo) throughout the United States and particularly likes to visit state capitol buildings to learn about the history of each state.

Sibel Arikoglu

Sibel Arikogluis a Ph.D. student in Linguistics with a strong interest in sociolinguistics. She is particularly interested in code-switching, migration, bilingualism, identity, and digital discourse. Passionate about global perspectives, she loves traveling and discovering new places; her favorite cities in Europe so far include Vienna, Florence, Berlin, and Paris, and in the United States, she is especially fond of New York. A dedicated language learner, she enjoys learning and studying new languages and often listens to Turkish and Greek music. As a Global Educator at ISSS, she has taken on a leadership role in planning, designing, and presenting a Turkish Names Training workshop for campus scholars, and students. Moving forward, she hopes to contribute to initiatives, activities, and events that bring together students, scholars, and staff across the university to foster cross-cultural understanding, community building, and meaningful global engagement. She was inspired to join the Global Educators Program by her passion for cross-cultural communication and her desire to help create more inclusive, globally aware campus spaces. The program offered the perfect opportunity to combine her academic interests in language and identity with meaningful community engagement.

Yui Ishizaki

Yui Ishizaki is a freshman majoring in Psychology and Disability Studies. She enjoys drawing, listening to music, and reading in her free time. Academically, she is particularly interested in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and women with ADHD, and she plans to pursue research in these areas in the future. Born in Japan, Yui was raised there until completing kindergarten before spending ten years living in Vietnam. These cross-cultural experiences shaped her strong interest in sharing Japanese culture with people from diverse backgrounds. She is proud of her Japanese heritage and enjoys exploring similarities and differences across cultures, which inspired her to participate in the Global Educators Program.

Lily Chiken

Lily Chiken is a sophomore double majoring in Sociology and Environmental Sustainability. Originally from Tokyo, Japan, she’s passionate about deepening cross-cultural understanding by participating in meetings, hearing stories from fellow volunteers, and hosting events that help inform students, faculty, and scholars about what she’s learned. Lily wanted to join this program because it gives her a chance to share perspectives while also learning from others. A fun fact about Lily is that she has a huge sweet tooth!

Rita

Rita is a second-year MATESL student in Illinois. Originally from Indonesia, she joins the Global Educators program because she wants to introduce Indonesian culture and learn other countries’ traditions and customs. She also intends to create long-lasting friendships and level up her leadership skills. As a Global Educator, Rita led an intercultural spotlight series: Indonesia and successfully fulfilled her desire. Her ideas in promoting the event to people across campus and making the audience engaged in activities such as playing traditional games and trying-on traditional costumes left the audience with unforgettable memories. She also volunteered as a scribe in the Gies Focus Group program and helped serve people in Thanksgiving Lunch.

Kaiyue

Kaiyue is a third-year Ph.D. student whose research focuses on physical activity and health. She has studied in China, Russia, and the United States, experiences that shaped her deep appreciation for cultural diversity and global learning. She has also presented her work at international conferences, which strengthened her interest in global collaboration and communication. Before her academic journey, she trained in rhythmic gymnastics for 16 years, won several national championships in China, and later became a certified national-level judge. These experiences taught her resilience, discipline, and the joy of connecting with others through shared passions. Kaiyue joined the Global Educators Program because she loves meeting people from different backgrounds and hopes to help create a warm, welcoming, and supportive space for international students. She enjoys sharing her multicultural experiences and looks forward to building meaningful cross-cultural connections on campus

Janaynne

Janaynne is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the School of Information Sciences. She is a Brazilian social anthropologist and information scientist with 10 years of experience in scientific publishing. Her research intersects scholarly communication, peer review training, science and technology studies, and international education. She loves thrifting clothing pieces and antiques, watching orchestras, and playing chess. She got involved with the Global Educators Program to learn more about how she can translate her background in anthropology into cultural programming to promote understanding across nations.

Sieun Choi

Sieun Choi is a junior majoring in Chinese and Media & Communication. Originally from South Korea, she is currently studying abroad for one semester from Yonsei University. With a strong interest in popular culture, including music, film, and sports, she believes that shared cultural experiences have the power to connect people and foster understanding across differences. At her home institution, she served as the president of Yonsei Global, a student organization dedicated to supporting international exchange students and strengthening cross-cultural engagement on campus. In this role, she led the planning and management of inclusive programs, working closely with diverse student groups to promote meaningful intercultural communication. Building on this leadership experience, she took an active role in the Global Educators Program by contributing significantly to the Global Talent Show and the Global Educators Potluck. Through these initiatives, she helped create welcoming and participatory spaces where students could share their cultures, connect through common interests, and build a strong sense of community.

Samuel Velasco Rendon

Samuel Velasco Rendonis a student majoring in Computer Science and Education and is originally from Colombia. He has already been motivated to share a more authentic and nuanced perspective of his country, moving beyond common stereotypes to highlight the beauty, resilience, and richness of Colombian culture. As a Global Educator, Samuel has been actively involved in various activities, including the Indoor World Cup and Travel Around the World. Through the Global Educators Program, Samuel continues to help reshape perceptions and foster deeper cultural understanding.

Buai Shi

Buai Shiis a PhD student in Civil & Environmental Engineering and Environmental Engineering & Science from China. She is motivated to join the Global Educators Program to help foster a strong sense of belonging among international students at U of Illinois by connecting them to useful resources and building meaningful connections between international and domestic communities through shared interests and social engagement. Buai Has been actively involved in various activities, including Coffee Across Cultures where she created an interacting session to discuss building community as an international student.

Wayne Chi

Wayne Chi is a student majoring in Systems Engineering and Design from Taiwan. He is enthusiastic about sharing his culture and learning from others, and his experience participating in the Global Educators Program motivated him to continue his involvement. Through coordinating events and collaborating with ISSS, Wayne developed strong skills in cultural exchange, event planning, communication, and leadership. He enjoys trying cuisine from around the world and plays several sports, including baseball, golf, and volleyball. As a Global Educator, Wayne has been actively involved in various activities, including Taiwanese Names training. He looks forward to continuing in the Global Educators Program to plan engaging events, connect with new people, and strengthen the international student community on campus.

Mansi Bhardwaj

Mansi Bhardwaj is a Master of Science in Accounting student from India. Mansi joined the Global Educators Program motivated by her passion for sharing her experiences as an international student and inspiring others through cultural exchange. She has showcased various Indian traditions and festivals and facilitated programs highlighting the richness of Indian culture. As a Global Educator, Mansi has been actively involved in various activities, including Coffee Across Cultures and Intercultural Spotlight. Mansi has contributed to creating meaningful cross-cultural experiences for students at the U of Illinois.

Rituparna Jana

Rituparna Jana is A PhD student in Community Health; she is from India. Rituparna joined the Global Educators Program to share her culturally rich heritage and learn from the diverse traditions of others. She enjoys fostering cross-cultural understanding on campus, building meaningful connections, and creating spaces for authentic cultural exchange through interactive events such as traditional food demonstrations, cultural presentations, and engaging workshops. Ritu has been actively involved in various activities, including Coffee Across Cultures and Intercultural Spotlight.

Shreya Ahuja

Shreya Ahujais a student at the department of Finance; she is from India. Shreya joined the Global Educators Program to share her culture, engage with diverse perspectives, and create meaningful connections across the U of Illinois community. With experience emceeing events and organizing cultural programs, Shreya brings creativity and enthusiasm to every activity she undertakes. Outside of her academic and social commitments, she enjoys crocheting, painting, and trying out new recipes in the kitchen. As a Global Educator, she has facilitated our Coffee Across Cultures series through engaging and interacting with participants in presentations on festivals around the world. She is passionate about fostering cross-cultural understanding, facilitating dialogue, and helping students learn from one another’s experiences.

Jing-Mei

Jing-Mei is a master’s student in Human Resources and Industrial Relations from Taiwan. She is passionate about subjects like motivation, engagement, and development, and is excited to join the Global Educators Program to help build a more connected and welcoming campus. As someone who loves talking to people and learning from different perspectives, she is eager to foster meaningful conversations across cultures. She is a big foodie, she also enjoys traveling, social dancing, and recently picked up rock climbing! Jing-Mei helped facilitate the ISSS spring trip to Mammoth Cave, where she engaged students and kept morale high through adventurous terrains, stayed up late into the night to pack sandwiches for the group, and kept everyone hydrated and fueled with snacks throughout the trip.

Maryam Fakhari

Maryam Fakhari is a Ph.D. student from Iran in the College of Applied Health Sciences. Her research focuses on movement behaviors and the impact of physical activity on human health. She is a big fan of sports and enjoys playing activities like badminton, table tennis, chess, volleyball, swimming, and fitness exercises. If you’re looking for someone to play sports with during your leisure time, she is always open to connecting to enjoy some games. Additionally, she is passionate about socializing with people from around the world and exchanging cultures and traditions. She often attends cultural events across campus and also enjoys getting involved in organizing and lending a helping hand with various events. As a Global Educator, Maryam co-facilitated ISSS programs

Hossein Omidi Ardali

Hossein Omidi Ardali, a Ph.D. student in Computational Biochemistry from Iran, is passionate about fostering inclusivity, equity, and cross-cultural understanding as a Global Educator. Drawing inspiration from the rich Persian history and culture, including Shahnameh and visionary leaders like Cyrus and Xerxes the Great, as well as the principles of Martin Luther King Jr., he advocates for justice, equality, and peaceful advocacy. An avid reader of leadership books and poetry, Hossein believes in the transformative power of knowledge and dialogue to create a more inclusive and equitable future. In his role as a Global Educator, Hossein supported the Travel Around the World Fair.

Zhengze Cao

Zhengze Cao, a Grainger Engineering student from China, joined the Global Educators Program to move beyond casual campus interactions and engage in deep, meaningful cultural exchange. He is curious, thoughtful, and enjoys exploring the similarities and differences between cultures, especially through the lens of contemporary Chinese youth culture, social media trends, and everyday life. Through the program, Zhengze looks forward to building genuine connections, gaining new perspectives from fellow students, and fostering a true sense of belonging within the Illinois community while sharing his own experiences in an accessible and engaging way. As a global Educator, Coa supported in the Global Talent Show.

Lexi Cao

Lexi Cao, a Mathematics student from China, joined the Global Educators Program to connect with diverse cultures and share a lively, authentic view of China beyond social media stereotypes. She is curious, thoughtful, and passionate about highlighting the human stories behind traditions, from legends like Chang’e to the art of cooking everyday dishes. Through the program, Lexi Supported in the Global Talent Show, and fostering meaningful cross-cultural dialogue while sharing her own experiences in an engaging and relatable way.

Mais Al Bahri

Mais Al Bahri, a Chemical Engineering student from Oman, joined the Global Educators Program to share her culture, connect with diverse perspectives, and foster meaningful cross-cultural dialogue on campus. Curious, outgoing, and passionate about learning from others, she is excited to introduce students to the Arabic language, Middle Eastern dishes, and the rich histories behind Omani traditions, including the story of frankincense from Dhofar. As a Global Educator, Mais co-planned events such as the end-of-semester potluck celebration and Coffee Across Cultures, gaining hands-on experience in event coordination and collaborative planning.

Spring 2025 Cohort

Mae Mercado

Mae is a Ph.D. Candidate in Crop Sciences working on heat stress tolerance and photosynthesis evolution in different grass species. She is from the Philippines, and since she moved to U of I for her Ph.D., she has been interested in participating and organizing events that connects people from different cultures, as well as sharing about her home country to anyone willing to listen. As a scientist, she is passionate about plant science research and ensuring that research is communicated in an accessible way to everyone. While she loves being in the lab, she is also interested in playing the ukulele, singing and brush pen calligraphy. Mae has offered her cultural knowledge and expertise on the nuance and significance of Filipino naming culture through co-facilitating a Spanish and Filipino Names training.

Ebubechukwu Uba

Ebube is a doctoral student in Information Science and is interested in educational technologies for rural communities. She is from Nigeria and takes pride in showcasing her African heritage through her volunteering services on campus and beyond. She recently received the C-U Scholar Awards for her service in addressing the Champaign-Urbana community’s needs. She was a major contributor to the planning and execution of SquILL Game, as she helped test and plan logistics behind the physical activities, narrated explanation for the initial round of games, and refereed the teamplay.

Hossein Omidi Ardali

Sohyeon Kim

Sohyeon Kim is a Ph.D. candidate in Recreation, Sports, and Tourism whose interests lie in investigating the interplay of technology and leisure. Her research explores how digital engagement impacts the risks and benefits of leisure activities. Originally from South Korea, she is interested in organizing recreational events that use Korean traditional and pop culture to connect the campus community and provide healthy, positive experiences. She loves hiking and has visited several national parks in the US, including Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, Redwood, the Everglades, Mammoth Cave, and Indiana Dunes. Sohyeon was the mastermind who initially sparked the idea behind SquILL Game and was a key member in the planning, coordination, and design that launched this successful University-wide event of thrill and competitive play where students competed in teams of four to win various prizes.

Chin-Hsuan Cheng

Rohit Ananthanarayana

Rohit Ananthanarayana is a 4th-year Ph.D. in speech and hearing science. He is from India and grew up in the city of Bangalore. He enjoys volunteering and interacting with new people. He fondly remembers the days when he was new to Illinois and how he benefited from the events that ISSS and other units on campus organized for international students. As a Global Educator, Rohit wishes to give back and help other students feel the same sense of community that he did. In his spare time, Rohit likes to crochet and play the violin. And a fun fact – his current favorite tea flavor is matcha! Rohit has been an avid supporter of ISSS programming and his contributions include coordinating and brainstorming for the SquILL Game event, as well as helping facilitate the February Coffee Across Cultures event, where he prepared information on the history and practices of Valentine’s Day and other traditional celebrations of love and romance around the world.

Jing-Mei Ke

Jing-Mei is a Master’s student in Human Resources and Industrial Relations from Taiwan. She is passionate about subjects like motivation, engagement, and development, and is excited to join the Global Educators Program to help build a more connected and welcoming campus. As someone who loves talking to people and learning from different perspectives, she is eager to foster meaningful conversations across cultures. A big foodie, she also enjoys traveling, social dancing, and recently picked up rock climbing! Jing-Mei helped facilitate the ISSS spring trip to Mammoth Cave, where she engaged students and kept morale high through adventurous terrains, stayed up late into the night to pack sandwiches for the group, and kept everyone hydrated and fueled with snacks throughout the trip.

Yitian Gao

Yitian is an undergraduate student majoring in Statistics and Computer Science. She is originally from China. Her interest in building global connections was sparked by growing up listening to music from around the world. Yitian leads an active school life, participating in hackathons as well as analyzing data and cases. Outside of her specialized courses, she enjoys painting, especially Chinese brush painting. She also likes to go to the ARC to work out and design interactive games for her favorite characters or idols. She joined the Global Educators program because she is passionate about communicating and organizing events to contribute to a more connected educational community, and desired to hone her organizational skills. Yitian facilitated the end-of-semester Global Educators potluck, where she organized a song guessing activity that kept the whole cohort engaged through exploring various cultures through music.

Lily Chiken

Lily Chiken is a freshman majoring in sociology. Originally from Tokyo, Japan, Lily has been studying abroad in the United States since sixth grade, which has shaped her deep appreciation for cultural exchange and global connection. She is excited to join the Global Educators Program because it offers a platform to share her Japanese heritage, engage in meaningful cross-cultural dialogue, and take initiative in planning inclusive events. Through this program, Lily hopes to develop her cross-cultural communication skills, grow as a leader, and gain new perspectives by learning from peers with diverse backgrounds. She looks forward to contributing her enthusiasm, international experience, and love for connecting with others to help foster a welcoming and globally minded campus. A fun fact about Lily is that she has a secret talent for finding the best dessert spots in any city she visits. Lily organized the April Coffee Across Cultures event, where she highlighted Japanese and East Asian spring traditions, as well as led a cherry blossom origami and traditional lantern making activity.

Shreya Ahuja

Shreya Ahuja is a graduate student in Finance from India with a deep passion for building friendships across cultures. Actively involved in campus life, she regularly participates in multicultural events and volunteers her time to support various initiatives. A natural host and speaker, Shreya has showcased her talents by emceeing major events such as Bollywood Night in Fall ‘24 and Discover India in Spring ‘25 at Illinois. Outside of her academic and social commitments, she enjoys crocheting, painting, and trying out new recipes in the kitchen. As a Global Educator, she has regularly attended our monthly Coffee Across Cultures series and helped facilitate the activity times through engaging and interacting with participants in various crafts and hands-on activities.

Ashley Li

Ashley is a first-year undergraduate student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, currently planning to major in Biochemistry. Originally from Shenzhen, China, and now residing in the Whampoa district of Hong Kong, she is passionate about science and hopes to pursue a career in dentistry. Ashley is excited to be part of the Global Educators program to connect with peers from different backgrounds, learn from others’ experiences, and share her own journey as a pre-dental international student. Outside of academics, she enjoys traveling, exploring new cafés, and taking photos of beautiful places. She also loves organizing travel itineraries and is always looking for the best food spots in every city she visits. Ashley played a crucial role in the Illini on Ice event, where she kept snacks stocked in constant supply and welcomed students in a friendly and engaging atmosphere.

Maryam Fakhari

Maryam is a Ph.D. student from Iran in the College of Applied Health Sciences. Her research focuses on movement behaviors and the impact of physical activity on human health. She is a big fan of sports and enjoys playing activities like badminton, table tennis, chess, volleyball, swimming, and fitness exercises. If you’re looking for someone to play sports with during your leisure time, she is always open to connect to enjoy some games. Additionally, she is passionate about socializing with people from around the world and exchanging cultures and traditions. She often attends cultural events across campus, and also enjoys getting involved in organizing and lending a helping hand with various events. As a Global Educator, Maryam joined the Pow Wow Trip to Chicago, where she provided organizational support and engaged students in a meaningful cultural experience.

Ruohan Pan

Ruohan Pan is a freshman at the University of Illinois, majoring in Statistics. Originally from China, Ruohan is passionate about cultural exchange and creating inclusive spaces on campus. As an international student, Ruohan values the importance of cross-cultural understanding and joined the Global Educators program to connect with students from diverse backgrounds and help foster a sense of belonging. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with animals and creating music. Ruohan co-facilitated the Coffee Across Cultures series in March, where she presented the history behind and cultural traditions of celebrating International Women’s Day around the world.

Salma Et Olmani

Salma is a first-year Ph.D. student in Computer Science, originally from Morocco. She is passionate about building bridges between cultures and creating inclusive spaces where people from diverse backgrounds can learn from one another. As an international student, she knows how valuable it is to feel seen and supported, and she is excited to contribute to fostering that experience for others. The Global Educators Program offers her a unique platform to share her culture while developing leadership and intercultural communication skills—both of which are important to her personally and professionally. When she is not chasing down research ideas, she is probably in the kitchen, baking up something experimental (her favorite kind of creative chaos) —think Moroccan flavors with a twist. And yes, she takes her Moroccan mint tea very seriously: fresh mint only, no tea bags in sight! Salma was the star of the show at the first annual Celebration of Africa event, where she modeled in the fashion runway segment and represented clothing from her native country Morocco.

Eva Lam Redondo

Eva is a master’s student in Latin American Studies. Born in Mexico, raised in Colombia and having lived in Barcelona for ten years, she brings a rich perspective shaped by migration, multilingualism, and cross-cultural experiences. She is passionate about the different layers of heritage, communication and identity, and joined the Global Educators Program to foster inclusive spaces for intercultural dialogue. Through the program, she hopes to challenge stereotypes and connect with people from all over the world by sharing stories and perspectives that are often overlooked. A fun fact about her is that she loves pop culture and strives to find the intersections between academic theory and everyday humor. Eva shared her insight on regional variations and cultural traditions behind Spanish names in Spanish-speaking countries through the Spanish and Filipino Names training held this semester.

Yongyang Pan

Yongyang Pan is a master’s student studying Electrical and Computer Engineering. Originally from China, Yongyang is passionate about cultural exchange and connecting with individuals from diverse backgrounds, driven by a strong desire to learn about different cultures. He is interested in this program as an opportunity to engage in meaningful cultural exchange and broaden his perspective. In addition to his academic pursuits, he enjoys watching football and is a devoted fan of FC Barcelona. Yongyang attended the Amish Trip as a Global Educator facilitator, where he helped manage check-in, guided people into group activities and provided logistical support that helped make this cultural experience smooth and engaging for all.

Shambhavi Joshi

Shambhavi Joshi is from Pune, Maharashtra, India, and currently pursuing a Master of Science in Technology Management at Illinois. She is passionate about cultural exchange and believes that learning about different backgrounds broadens our perspective of the world. She is especially interested in how communication helps bridge cultural gaps and foster mutual understanding. Being in a diverse environment excites her, and she loves hearing people’s stories as well as sharing her own. She enjoys engaging with communities and sees the Global Educators Program as a great platform to promote cross-cultural awareness. Outside academics, she loves directing and writing theater plays and is a trained Indian classical Kathak dancer. Shambhavi supported the Illini on Ice event by managing registration, welcoming students with her natural friendliness and directing students toward proper resources to create an enjoyable educational and social experience.

Wayne Chi

Wayne is a freshman majoring in Systems Engineering and Design and an international student from Taiwan. He is passionate about bridging cultures, coordinating events, and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Wayne aspires to become a modern Renaissance man, who embraces and applies a wide range of skills gained through new challenges. Outside of academics, Wayne is a foodie and an outdoors enthusiast. He enjoys trying cuisines from around the world and plays several sports, including baseball, golf, and volleyball. As a Global Educator, Wayne has been actively involved in various activities, including the Taiwanese Intercultural Spotlight, where he enthralled the entire audience with cultural insights about his native country and provided helpful local tips, especially regarding food – the most important part.

Fall 2024 Cohort

Chin-Hsuan Cheng
Ebubechukwu Uba
Hossein Omidi Ardali
Mae Mercado
Maryam Fakhari
Moris Ji
Rohit Ananthanarayana
Sohyeon Kim

Contact Us

Have questions? We’d love to hear from you! Reach out to Dr. Kathryn Burden with any questions about the program or application process at kkburden@illinois.edu.