2021 ISA Canidates

President

Emmanuel Shukuru

What is your degree and field of study?
  • BS in Mechanical Engineering
In your words, what is the purpose of ISA and the role it should play in supporting international students at UMaine?
  • I believe ISA should be a place to help the international to discover the different opportunities that are within the university or elsewhere. Also, it should provide a more welcoming environment to both new and present international national students and open up the doors for them to know more about the university and meet new people. The ISA should be a place for the international student to make memorable memories as people are living to write history and the way that people write their history is influenced by the events and activities that they are involved with. If l will be elected l will try my best to make ISA events to be a new chapter in the journey of history writing.
What are your top 3 goals for ISA in the up coming school year?
  • I will design international events like coffee in such a way that everybody will feel involved.
  • I work with an international office and student government to find a way to give priority for international students to get some on-campus jobs since they are not allowed to work elsewhere.
  • Design different sports activities where international will get a chance to participate during the weekends. I will try to make the international student sports teams to be recognized by the school and hence participate in different school competitions.
What relevant leadership positions have you held at UMaine or at other institutions?
  • Leader of the different extra curriculum-activities and clubs in high school such as sparkling elephant.
What qualities do you possess which make you uniquely qualified for the officer position that you are running for?
  • Hard-working
  • Willing to serve others
  • Responsible
What else would you like voters to know about you?
  • I believe in teamwork and to make the great international events that everybody body will enjoy, the leader should welcome opinions on what people want the events to be like. When we work together we can accomplish a lot and make good paths for the coming generations just like shining stars that will make any international student have a good experience here in UMaine.

Jinyoung Park

What is your degree and field of study?
  • BS Chemistry
In your words, what is the purpose of ISA and the role it should play in supporting international students at UMaine?
  • I believe that the International Student Association (ISA) should be a place where international students can feel the sense of community and comfort while being away from their home countries. ISA should be a welcoming environment where both the new and the old international students can come for support while trying to adjust to the unfamiliar environment. ISA also serves an important and a crucial role of providing opportunities for the international students to network and build connections with both the staff/faculty and the domestic students here at the University of Maine. Most importantly, I believe that ISA should help in amplifying the voices and opinions of the UMaine international student population.
What are your top 3 goals for ISA in the up coming school year?
  • If I were to be elected as the ISA president for the upcoming school year, my top 3 goals would be as follows:
    1. I would like to plan more “traditional” in-person events such as the ISA Coffee Hour and group trips to encourage more turnout for the ISA events. Due to COVID, I feel like there has been a slight drift between the international student population and I would like to provide an environment where the international student community can connect and grow.
    2. I would like to network with various different groups of people in the university so that I can serve as a point of connection between the international students and the rest of the university to help amplify the international student presence on campus.
    3. I would like to implement weekly ISA president office hours where I can readily provide a place where international students can come to talk and receive the necessary support. I am aware that ISA president office hours is already an existing feature of the club, but I would like to advertise it more so that various students can make use of it.
What relevant leadership positions have you held at UMaine or at other institutions?
  • At the previous institution I attended before I transferred to UMaine, I worked as an officer at the Multicultural Center. I helped plan events representing and celebrating the different minority groups/cultures on campus. Some of the events I helped plan were: Lunar New Year celebration, International Week, International Women’s Day informational booth, Pride Month event, etc. I have also worked as the Secretary of ISA this school year where I helped with planning events such as virtual and in-person Coffee Hour and send out emails to everyone advertising the event.
What qualities do you possess which make you uniquely qualified for the officer position that you are running for?
  • I have had previous leadership experience working as the ISA Secretary, which I have gained a lot of insight and leadership skills from. I believe that I will be able to use this as an advantage to incorporate my newly learned skills while working as the ISA President to promote overall success of the club and the team.
  • I am dedicated and hard-working.
  • I am detail-oriented and responsible when fulfilling given tasks.
What else would you like voters to know about you?
  • I believe in teamwork and to make the great international This upcoming school year will be my final year at the university. I am willing to dedicate and devote my time into ISA to give it my all and make unforgettable memories with my fellow international students!

Abdelrhman Attia

What is your degree and field of study?
  • BS in Mechanical Engineering
In your words, what is the purpose of ISA and the role it should play in supporting international students at UMaine?
  • The main purpose of ISA here at UMaine is to provide support and ensure that all students receive the best college experience possible while being away from home in a new place. On top of being a solid support system, ISA brings fun and joy to all international students through well-planned social events and other activities. They host a weekly coffee hour, where students can participate in games and crafts, along with themed events and food provided to all at no charge. Coffee hours are a nice way for students from all over to interact with one another and bond by sharing stories and hanging out to destress after each busy school week ends. ISA also hosts an annual culturefest, where students are able to experience the feeling of home while learning about other cultures as well. The International Dance Festival, which I believe to be one of the best events at UMaine, is also through this association, as it has many events to keep the students involved in campus life and excited to participate. A final positive aspect of ISA is that any student member has the opportunity to attend private office hours with the club president to talk about any concerns one may have or about any other information or assistance they may need. ISA holds a very positive presence at UMaine with its ability to make any student studying abroad feel welcomed to their new home.
What are your top 3 goals for ISA in the up coming school year?
  • Get in touch with every international student at UMaine.
  • Increase the popularity of ISA at UMaine.
  • Great, well-organized, in-person events after a pandemic year.
What relevant leadership positions have you held at UMaine or at other institutions?
  • Tutor with Mechanical Engineering Department.
  • Facilitator with Mechanical Engineering Department. Student Aid with Multicultural Student Center.
  • Tutor with Trio SSS.
  • ISA public relations
  • 3D printing club treasure ASME (The American Society Of Mechanical Engineer) secretary
What qualities do you possess which make you uniquely qualified for the officer position that you are running for?
  • Communication
  • Event planner
  • Time management (certified)
  • decision making (certified)
  • problem-solving
  • Teamwork
  • Leadership
  • Empathy
  • Organizational skills
  • Fluent Bilingual
What else would you like voters to know about you?
  • I’m from Egypt, used to live in Qatar. I was a professional handball player. I love the outdoor, any kind of activities, and meeting new people.

Yasmen Farag

No Bio Submitted

Vice President

Elin Johansson

What is your degree and field of study?
  • BA in International Affairs
In your words, what is the purpose of ISA and the role it should play in supporting international students at UMaine?
  • To me the purpose of ISA is to make all the international students feel welcomed and let them know that they’re not alone. ISA is also for international and domestic students to meet and interact with each other to establish connections and bring everyone together.
What are your top 3 goals for ISA in the up coming school year?
  • The current members of the executive board have done a really good job and I’d like to continue on their path to continue making ISA a better organization. This year has been challenging but seeing that we might have a more traditional semester for fall the goal would be to have a bigger turnout for the ISA events and coffee hour. I’m also thinking that it would be a good idea to get involved in the campus community and to make the presence of ISA stand out more.
What relevant leadership positions have you held at UMaine or at other institutions?
  • I don’t have that much experience but being elected into being a recruitment and initiate advisor for Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity has definitely sparked my interest in taking more initiative in taking leadership roles.
What qualities do you possess which make you uniquely qualified for the officer position that you are running for?
  • I really enjoy working in teams because you can help and learn from each other. I have good communication skills and are a big plus when working in teams. I’m good at managing my time when it comes down to it and I am a real problem-solver.
What else would you like voters to know about you?
  • After a long uncertain time full of very ups and very downs, I’m excited to restart and begin a new academic year. In the fall I’d like to get involved even more so I’m looking forward to get involved with ISA and to a more traditional semester so we can all meet.

Phuoc Le ( John )

What is your degree and field of study?
  • BBA in Accounting
In your words, what is the purpose of ISA and the role it should play in supporting international students at UMaine?
  • ISA is the group to connect and support the international student community of UMaine. It is an organization that is very necessary for international students as it helps them adapt to the American community and open the new horizon that students can call ” home “. Also, ISA also is a playground for international students to share their own culture and perspective with others through activities and outside services, which improve understandings and friendships among Umaine communities.
What are your top 3 goals for ISA in the up coming school year?
  • 1. I will dedicate works and times for any of the activities that support the well-being for any of our international students
  • 2. Besides helping in the group’s operation, I will be the friends that everybody can rely on for communications or even make friends
  • 3. I would try to promote friendship among the students within the groups and others student as well
What relevant leadership positions have you held at UMaine or at other institutions?
  • I used to be the youth union leader for my class during my highs school year in Vietnam
  • I take part as a student ambassador in my exchange year in the US
What qualities do you possess which make you uniquely qualified for the officer position that you are running for?
  • I have been a very dedicated person when I have a chance to talk and understand each other’s perspectives, and willing to help in any of the situations. I also a reliable person, which means I have the willingness to learn and commit myself to complete works at my best abilities
What else would you like voters to know about you?
  • I’m Vietnamese and I run for the office from my home county Vietnam, I would be very surprised if any of the voters support me

Secretary

Ece Yeldan

What is your degree and field of study?
  • Wildlife Ecology
In your words, what is the purpose of ISA and the role it should play in supporting international students at UMaine?
  • In my opinion the vital role of ISA is to create a safe and understanding environment for international students as they grow accustomed to a new culture and a new landscape. Furthermore, ISA helps international students in broadening their social and educational circle
What are your top 3 goals for ISA in the up coming school year?
  • My top goal is to make sure that international students thrive by helping them grow accustomed to a new culture, make sure they have a healthy social circle and give them educational opportunities so they don’t feel like they are falling behind or don’t have enough experience.
What relevant leadership positions have you held at UMaine or at other institutions?
  • In High school I had to organize and translate manuscript for our theatrical show called Oscars. I had also participated in Bilkent Historical Model United Nations as the delegation of America where I was responsible for representing the view point of America in the United Nations Security Counsel.
What qualities do you possess which make you uniquely qualified for the officer position that you are running for?
  • I have great time management and communication skills as I often complete my work early and I am outgoing. Furthermore, I am very adaptable and I see myself as a neat and organized person. I usually take the initiative when working in groups to make sure our assignments are above standard.
What else would you like voters to know about you?
  • I am massive Star Wars fan and love to be outdoors experiencing new things. I believe it’s essential for international students to be introduced to everything Maine has to offer from hiking to visiting Stephen Kings famous house!

Treasurer

Vathana Narith

What is your degree and field of study?
  • Civil Engineering
In your words, what is the purpose of ISA and the role it should play in supporting international students at UMaine?
  • ISA is a place where students especially international students to find comfort far away from home. It is a place to connect with other people with similar or different circumstances and it is a place to learn more about other cultures and traditions. It is the student’s second family and where you go when you have a problem.
What are your top 3 goals for ISA in the up coming school year?
  • Have more events to showcase the different culture
  • Connect more with other international students
  • Make sure people are feeling comfortable at school especially new students
What relevant leadership positions have you held at UMaine or at other institutions?
  • Besides my high school experience in leading some conferences and performances, I have not gotten the chance to be in a leadership position at UMaine.
What qualities do you possess which make you uniquely qualified for the officer position that you are running for?
  • I have created and organized many events in the past which includes budgeting, making plans and timelines as well as making sure that everybody in the team has what they need. This allows me to be able to pay more attention to detail and financially organized. I also believe that I have the public speaking skill, communication skills, and time management that are needed. I will be sure to carry on the duties of filling out our section’s taxes, completing our annual financial report, and generally overseeing the club’s budget and finances despite being my first time dealing with the confusion of how taxes in America works.
What else would you like voters to know about you?
  • I will be in my second year of civil engineering in Fall 2021 and I hope to bring many exciting events during the fall as a member of the ISA.