Kaidar Donenbayev
What is your degree and field of study?
BS, Earth and Climate Sciences
In your words, what is the purpose of ISA and the role it should play in supporting international students at UMaine?
In my understanding, the purpose of ISA is to cultivate a welcoming and supportive community for international students, and to provide a sense of belonging and understanding for those who may feel isolated due to cultural differences and homesickness. ISA serves as a platform for international students to connect with others who share similar experiences, fostering friendships and support networks that transcend borders. By organizing events like Culturefest, Coffee Hour, and International Dance Festival that celebrate diversity and address common challenges, ISA aims to enhance the overall university experience for international students and promote cross-cultural understanding within the campus community.
What are your top 3 goals for ISA in the up coming school year?
1. Strengthen cultural exchange through more themed events or language exchanges.
2. Enhance current ISA officer’s efforts and identify areas for improvement.
3. Boost international student involvement in events like workshops by incorporating them during Coffee Hours to attract greater attendance.
What relevant leadership positions have you held at UMaine or at other institutions?
This would be my first leadership position at UMaine, but I have much experience outside of university. I am a word analyzer of an online dictionary that we created with my friends from my home country, which required teaching workers to work with large datasets of words in the Kazakh language. Moreover, I manage this business in many ways since it is our project. Additionally, I organized an inter-school cybersports tournament involving seven schools and over 200 people, improving my ability to coordinate large-scale events and effectively manage logistics.
What qualities do you possess which make you uniquely qualified for the officer position that you are running for?
As a leader, I find common ground with individuals from diverse backgrounds, enabling effective communication and collaboration. My disciplined and responsible nature and straightforward communication ensure that tasks are completed efficiently and transparently. I excel in adapting to various situations, remaining resilient under pressure, and maintaining focus on organizational goals. With a strong aptitude for organization, I am well-equipped to streamline processes and lead initiatives effectively.
What else would you like voters to know about you?
I have a passion for exploring different cultures, having visited numerous countries throughout my life, and I firmly believe that understanding and appreciating diverse cultures enriches one’s perspective on life. Traveling has been a transformative experience for me, fostering personal growth and self-awareness. ISA holds a special place in my heart as it provided me with invaluable friendships and a sense of belonging during my first year at UMaine, making it one of the most significant discoveries of my college journey.
Sharifullah Abed
What is your degree and field of study?
BS Computer Science
In your words, what is the purpose of ISA and the role it should play in supporting international students at UMaine?
International Student Association (ISA) serves as a source of community that supports international students. ISA gives international students the ability to showcase their culture, events, knowledge and more. it gives them the chance to teach others their traditions and cultural differences such as different types of dances, holy events, and mystery behind each tradition they might have. It also allows them the opportunity to create a UMaine community where they can plan out different events for themselves which could be but not limited to hangouts, parties, religious sessions, educational sessions and more.
Another major role that ISA should play in supporting international students at UMaine would be to consider helping them in with their educational issues and accommodations.
What are your top 3 goals for ISA in the up coming school year?
1. I want to create a path that will connect all international students with each other through organizing different events. For example, gatherings that include discussions about students backgrounds, play games and prepare traditional foods that will create a good environment and room for friendship among each other.
2. I will advocate on behalf of international students regular on-campus problems such as food, accommodations, credit transfer and more.
3. I want to create an environment that will be encourage international students to demonstrate their skills inside and outside the club, such as giving them the opportunity to talk about different things of their interest such, games, music talent, leadership, management and other skills they own. I also would want to encourage international students to seek their passions in other clubs such as encouragement for Student Government for anyone who is interested in pubic speaking or political advocacy.
What relevant leadership positions have you held at UMaine or at other institutions?
I have worked on different managerial positions with my previous universities. I was a member of Student Government Association (SGA) at the American University of Afghanistan (AUAF), and had been the representative of 116 AUAF students at American University of Iraq Sulaymaniyah (AUIS), Iraq for two years. In addition, I held the RA position at the AUIS for two semesters and was a member of the Student Service as well.
What qualities do you possess which make you uniquely qualified for the officer position that you are running for?
As an individual, I am passionate and determined, with a strong focus on leadership and management. I am experiences, and refusing to give up until objectives are accomplished. My exceptional communication skills and natural inclination towards fostering group synergy make me a valuable asset in collaborative environments.
What else would you like voters to know about you?
In decision-making, I maintain a calm demeanor, prioritizing thoughtful consideration and listening attentively. I thoroughly assess problems before taking action, ensuring a well-informed approach. Furthermore, I am consistently supportive and readily available for discussions, fostering an environment of open communication and collaboration.
Yongjoon Choi
Yongjoon is currently completing his military service in South Korea, so he will not be available to give a speech at Coffee Hour but he will be returning for the fall semester. Prior to leaving the US to do his military service Yongjoon was an active ISA member and participated in many events.
What is your degree and field of study?
BS Electrical Engineering Technology
In your words, what is the purpose of ISA and the role it should play in supporting international students at UMaine?
I want to bring all of the international student together to share their experience, opinions, and all of the things which can make a bigger and better ISA. Most people think Maine is a small state, but I want to make and share a lot of information about Maine and the University of Maine for international students through ISA.
What are your top 3 goals for ISA in the up coming school year?
1. Make ISA more approachable for international students to increase participation.
2. Create opportunities to share our stories and experience to know about lot of countries.
3. Make more international events to connect international students to students from the US.
What relevant leadership positions have you held at UMaine or at other institutions?
There are a lot, but due to my situation, I might have to explain it next time.
What qualities do you possess which make you uniquely qualified for the officer position that you are running for?
I like to communicate to other people and want to share my experience and listen to others to know everyone’s experiences. Also, since I am working and doing my work in the military recently, I handle many roles and achieve all of my goals. Even though there are some areas where I lack experience, I do not give up, and I always try to overcome challenges to complete it.
What else would you like voters to know about you?
-I am currently doing my military service in South Korea.
-I am re-admitting to University of Maine, and even though I was not an officer in ISA previously, I have done a lot of volunteering to help ISA.
Zahra Farahmand
What is your degree and field of study?
Ecology & Environmental Sciences
In your words, what is the purpose of ISA and the role it should play in supporting international students at UMaine?
International Students Association supports international students at UMaine by providing them with a community. Being far from home is not easy to handle. Having someone to talk to is a blessing for the human soul. The need to share your thoughts, sorrows and joys can help people grow and develop emotionally. In the state of being lonely, nothing can be more comforting than a community to rely on. I think ISA is that community in UMaine for international students.
What are your top 3 goals for ISA in the up coming school year?
1. Have more fun activities. I hope to write some proposal and raise fund for some fun activities like canoeing and skiing.
2. Celebrate each occasion from different cultures. Celebration of different occasions not only expose people to different cultures but also creates an opportunity for people to bond.
3. Host a food challenge. I want to see different people come together and cook their cuisine and take vote and have a winner.
What relevant leadership positions have you held at UMaine or at other institutions?
At UMaine I have not had any leadership roles but in American University of Central Asia I was part the Environmental group arranging presentations, games, and trips.
What qualities do you possess which make you uniquely qualified for the officer position that you are running for?
I am detail oriented and patient that is helpful in working with numbers. As I have been in teams before and played my role well thus, I am a team player and a good listener.
What else would you like voters to know about you?
I am resilient and I have been through ups and downs more than an average person in USA because I am from Afghanistan then I went to Kyrgyzstan and now I live here. I learned from my trip to Kyrgyzstan to be patient and tolerant of different cultures and people, to rely on myself more than anyone else, to not take anything for granted and to be thankful of every opportunity I have.
