Diksha Srishyla
Major: Neuroscience and Psychology, Public health minor
College or School: College of Biological Sciences
Nationality: Indian
Highlight intercultural experience: Showcasing my student group, Vibha at cultural events on campus and learning about issues addressed in different countries, just like Vibha addresses underprivileged education for children in India
Academic Benefits: I was able to explore the field of public health through service and volunteering, as well as classes through my minor
Professional Benefits: I learned the value of cultivating and maintaining connections at the organizations where I volunteered. They could help me build my career in the years to come.
Prashasti Bhatnagar
Major: Sociology
Minor(s): Neuroscience, Public Health and Social Justice
College or School: College of Liberal Arts
Nationality: Indian
Highlight intercultural experience: My comprehensive and experiential-based education has allowed for several diverse leadership positions, all of which have further prepared me to think outside of the box and embrace challenges positively.
Academic Benefits: Through intellectually stimulating and graduate-level coursework in Sociology, I have been able to explore various emotionally and politically charged issues such as immigration, mass incarceration and health injustices from a systemic and historic lens, and work towards challenging structural violence perpetuated institutionally.
Professional Benefits: As a service-learner, I have established and enhanced my professional network, strengthened knowledge in my areas of interest, and fueled some change to advance social justice and equity in the communities.
Ngoc Ha
Major: Physiology
College or School: College of Liberal Arts
Nationality: Vietnam
Highlight intercultural experience: While volunteering at Hennepin County Medical Center and People Serving People, these experiences helped me improve my skill for communication across culture, made me become more patient and understanding for those who have different background, languages and beliefs from me.
Academic Benefits: Doing community work while attending school taught me to become more organized and improved my time management skill greatly.
Professional Benefits: Public speaking, team-work and leadership skills, which made me a valuable employee and great coworker/ collaborative partner at work.
