Happy International Education Week
International Student Voices Panel
only at AIRC’s 2024 Annual Conference
Friday, December 6th, from 10:30am – 11:55am at the Hyatt Regency in Bellevue, WA
Student Voices Panel
The Student Voices Panel is a much-anticipated highlight of AIRC’s Annual Conference. This year’s panel will take place on Friday, December 6th from 10:30am-11:55am at the Hyatt Regency in Bellevue, WA. The panel includes five current and recently graduated international students who speak about their experiences as students in the United States and their educational and career journeys. Topics include their experiences related to recruitment and enrollment, orientation and adjusting to living in the United States, and their educational outcomes, career plans and personal goals. The panel is moderated by AIRC member representatives and provides a wonderful opportunity for conference attendees to learn the impact that studying in the United States has made on students’ lives. The students also bring visibility to the educational agencies who assisted with their recruitment and the institutions in which they enrolled.
Meet Our Student Panelists
Olha Isaieva, California Lutheran University
My name is Olha, and I am an international student from Ukraine. I moved to the U.S. three years ago to pursue a second master’s degree, where I discovered a strong passion for supporting international students. This led me to my current role as an International Student Advisor at a community college. I’m also a rock music fan, with experience playing drums, keyboards, and singing in a band. Outside of work, I enjoy delving into psychology, reading novels, and connecting with my family and friends back home. Fun fact: I don’t like ice cream, which seems to surprise everyone. But it hasn’t stopped me from being known as both cool, funny, friendly and humble!
Alexa “Lexi” Mackey, Peninsula College
My name is Lexi Mackey and I’m a 20-year-old woman born and raised in Melbourne, Australia. Since September of 2023, I’ve been a student athlete studying at Peninsula college in the state of Washington. I came to the United States to take the next step in my basketball career, whilst still engaging in my health science studies. I’ve played basketball since age 6, and have loved every minute I’ve played since – the challenges, the triumphs and the fun. I went to primary and high school in Northcote, and began my tertiary studies at La Trobe University, toward a bachelor in Prosthetics & Orthotics. I completed a semester of study before I got into contact with my current coach, and made the decision to move to Port Angeles in late July. I was a member of the Australian Girls’ Choir for 9 years, so I also have a passion for music and singing, and I enjoy being creative in any way I can; trying new hobbies any chance I get. I am outgoing, supportive, enthusiastic, driven, and always looking for fun.
Nghi “Natalie” Nguyen, Shoreline Community College, IDP
My name is Natalie, born and raised in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, I am an ambitious student dedicated to bridging cultural and educational gaps. My journey began with a passion for connecting with people from diverse backgrounds and volunteering, which led me to become an international student ambassador at Shoreline Community College. I’ve been fortunate to have some amazing opportunities while studying at Shoreline Community College, where I have met wonderful friends who have helped me gain valuable experiences and essential skills. Same as many other international students, I faced challenges adjusting to a completely different style of education in the U.S. During my first quarter in Fall 2023, I even received lower grades in my American politics class, which was tough. But these early setbacks taught me how to change and adapt my study methods then find a balance between academics and other commitments. Just like anyone coming to a new country, I did not know everything and certainly did not have it all figured out at first. Each day, I learned a bit more, slowly adapting and growing into the person I am today.
Shohei Ogawa, Shoreline Community College
I’m an international student from Japan studying at Shoreline Community College, majoring in Economics. Besides studying, I am an active student on campus. For instance, I work as an International Student Leader. I am also the Vice President of DECA, the Japanese Culture Club, and the Stock Investment Club. All these positions help me interact with students and practice leadership, teamwork, and financial analysis skills. Outside of academic and club commitments, I like to play rugby and have been playing rugby for 8 years. I’m currently a member of the Seattle Raccoons and Snohomish Rhinos rugby teams. Rugby is not only a way to keep me active, but also a way to nurture my teamwork ability. I also like to play violIn in my free time which relieves me from stress. In the future, I want to transfer to the University of Chicago and work as an investment banker.
Mahim Patel, Shoreline Community College
My name is Mahim Patel, I am from India. I am an international student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer science in the United States, having already completed an associate degree. I’m also working full-time to gain hands-on experience that not only sharpens my coding and communication skills but also lets me contribute to meaningful projects that make an impact in the real world. Outside of my professional endeavors I like to indulge in activities, like pottery, and keep myself physically active by playing cricket during my free time. I am enthusiastic about technology. Have a background in computer science, to focus on Cybersecurity in the future to contribute meaningfully to protecting digital systems and information security.
Simon Njoroge, Green River College & University of Washington-Tacoma
I’m Simon Njoroge, and I’m from Kenya. Growing up, I dreamed of becoming a pilot, imagining myself soaring through the skies. But life had other plans—I stumbled into engineering by accident, and it ended up being one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
Moving to the U.S. to study was a big leap for me, and it came with its fair share of challenges. Adjusting to a new culture, balancing work and school, and finding my way wasn’t easy, but it pushed me to grow in ways I never expected. Along the way, I’ve had some incredible experiences—like working with NASA’s L’SPACE Academy on a hypothetical Mars mission concept and now being a Project Engineer at MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions, where I get to solve real-world problems in construction and bring big ideas to life.
Outside of work, I’m all about exploring. Whether it’s riding my motorcycle through Washington’s scenic mountain roads or mentoring immigrant students in STEM, I love diving into things that inspire me and give back to the community. While my path to engineering wasn’t what I originally imagined, it’s been an exciting adventure, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
I’m excited to be part of the AIRC conference this year and can’t wait to share my story, meet amazing people, and hear about their journeys too!
Thank you to our Student Voices Panel sponsor, Webster University!