A Division of the International Studies Office
Meet the Global Greeters
Connect with the Global Greeters on Facebook and Instagram!
Have questions about life at UVA or in Charlottesville? Email the Global Greeters executive team or members below with any questions.
See the main Global Greeters page for events and resource guides for new international students.
GLOBAL GREETERS EXECUTIVE TEAM |
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Hello!! Welcome to UVA! My name is Megnot Abebe and I'm a rising fourth-year from Addis Abeba, Ethiopia! I am double majoring in the Comm School and in Global Development Studies. Some of my hobbies are listening to different types of music, watching Marvel and DC shows, painting and reading. I also went to a French International School where I got to meet people from different parts of the world, so I love hearing about different cultures and learning what they do differently. UVA was a big transition but it was made easier because of the friends that I made and the resources that I found so don’t hesitate to reach out! ([email protected]) |
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Hi! I'm Ploi Sripoom, and I'm a rising fourth-year double majoring in Sociology and Youth & Social Innovation. I’m from Thailand, but I studied in the states (Potomac, MD) throughout middle school and 9th grade. Besides academics, I am heavily involved in Thai Student Organization. In my free time, I love listening to KPOP, playing and watching sports, meeting new people, and trying new food. I also love to go to all the events happening on grounds with my friends. I'm here to help with your transition to UVA whether it's through introducing you to the grounds, guiding you to resources, helping you find your community, or being your support system. I'm so excited to meet and get to know you -- please don't hesitate to reach out. ([email protected]) |
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Hi! My name is Estelle He and I'm a rising third-year planning on double majoring in Biomedical Engineering and Physics. At UVA, I'm involved in a few clubs and organizations like aNoether Physics Club, Madison House, Chi Alpha, and Grace Christian Fellowship. In my spare time, I love baking, reading, singing, and traveling. I also love staying active by going on walks, hiking, playing volleyball, flag football, spikeball, or trying something new. Feel free to reach out, I'm really excited to meet everyone and can’t wait to welcome you to UVA! ([email protected]) |
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Hey everyone! My name is Sharis Chung. I am a rising fourth-year student from Hong Kong. I’m majoring in Nursing. I grew up in Hong Kong and came to the United States for high school when I was 14 years old. I love traveling, learning new languages and cultures from different countries. I have traveled to 10+ countries so far. I am interested in learning Korean, Japanese, and Spanish. I have lived in Portland, Oregon and Boston, Massachusetts before I came to UVA. I am also a transfer student that came to UVA in Fall 2022. I totally understand the struggles as a transfer student in making friends and adapting to a new environment. I hope to be your helpful resource to show you around UVA. I am also involved in HKSA. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions. ([email protected]) I can’t wait to meet you all! :) ([email protected]) |
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Hi there! I am Fan. I am currently a third year at Batten School double majoring in Mathematics. I went to schools in China and came here for college. Therefore, I totally understand the challenges that the international student community is facing at UVA. In my free time, I like cycling and hiking, attending various club activities, learning new languages and MATHs, etc. I have taken Japanese courses at UVA for two years and will keep practicing it at Shea House this year. My professional interest lies in Responsible Tech, and I plan to found a new club to build up career networks and resources regarding Responsible Tech at UVA this year. I love talking to people so please feel free to shoot me an email and chat with me :) ([email protected]) |
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Hello everyone, my name is Chinmay Nair, and I am a 4th year PhD student in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Mumbai, India. This is my 6th year in the US and have acquired a lot of information for navigating this country. In addition to being an International Student Citizen Leader fellow, I am the Rep for Graduate Engineering in UVa's Student Council, VISAS, and the International Center to help international students with their transition on to the Grounds. I am always curious to know about different cultures and enjoy being outdoors, sports like hiking, running, swimming, biking, football (soccer), rugby, lifting or just travelling. I absolutely love cooking and trying out different food around Charlottesville. So don't hesitate and just reach out if you ever want to talk/have coffee or have any questions. I hope I can help you have a great experience at UVA! ([email protected]) |
GRADUATE GLOBAL GREETERS |
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Hey everyone, my name is Jonathan Swap. I will be a Brazilian-American masters student in the School of Data Science l speak Spanish and Portuguese. I have a lot of experience with student leadership and student life at UVA, so reach out if you have questions about that! ([email protected]) |
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Hello everyone! My name is Maghogho Harriet Odanibe and I hail from Nigeria. I'm currently entering my second year as a PhD student in Environmental Science here at the University of Virginia. I'm passionate about helping you smoothly navigate your journey at UVA. When I'm not immersed in academics, I enjoy singing, reading, hiking, and taking leisurely walks. If you have any questions or need assistance, please don't hesitate to contact me. I'm here to help! ([email protected]) |
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Hey there, my name is Ritu and I come from Nepal, although I've spent a significant amount of time working in India. Through my experiences, I have had the pleasure of interacting with people from all around the world, helping them to communicate effectively in various languages, assisting with tasks, and providing valuable information. My passion lies in utilizing technology to bring people together and bridge cultural gaps. Joining the Global Greeters community has been a source of excitement for me as it presents an opportunity to share my extensive knowledge and expertise with travelers seeking to explore new destinations and connect with local communities. I look forward to providing a personalized and unforgettable experience that showcases the local culture, customs, and landmarks of the places I get to host visitors. ([email protected]) |
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Hello everyone! I'm Reshma, a third-year PhD student in Physics from Delhi, India. My research focuses on Experimental High Energy physics, with a primary goal of uncovering the mysteries of Dark Matter. Beyond my academic pursuits, I thrive on connecting with diverse individuals and immersing myself in new cultures. You'll often find me actively engaged in various student events alongside my friends. During my leisure time, I indulge in activities like shopping and unwinding to music. Nature beckons me, whether it's exploring hiking trails or embarking on journeys across different corners of the US. Having recently arrived in the US two years ago, I empathize with the challenges many international students encounter during their initial months. Feel free to reach out to me for any queries or concerns. Hope you have an amazing experience at UVA! ([email protected]) |
UNDERGRADUATE GLOBAL GREETERS |
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Hello! My name is Brianna and I’m a fourth-year majoring in Biology and minoring in Data Science. I’m so excited to see you all and show everyone what’s on Grounds! My hobbies are playing badminton with my friends and baking, especially cream puffs. I love watching K-dramas/movies, so reach out to me if you have any recommendations! I think my favorite classes that I took here were Traditional Chinese Literature and Data ethics because we got to discuss interesting topics about East Asian history and data privacy. I can’t wait to see everyone and I hope you all have a great time at UVA! ([email protected]) |
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Hi everyone! My name is Chang Liu, and I am a rising third-year major in Commerce and Philosophy. I am from mainland China and have lived there for 18 years. I love arts, especially painting & drawing, watching animation, K-pop, cooking, learning different cultures, and meeting new people. Feel free to email me if you need help in your college life. Hope you have a wonderful experience at UVA! ([email protected]) |
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Hi all! My name is Gabriel Nelson, and I am a rising fourth-year student majoring in Public Policy and Leadership at the Frank Batten School, minoring in French, and doing the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) program. Outside of classes, I’m heavily involved in teaching and volunteering with VISAS at UVA. For fun, I like studying French and Chinese, working out, and traveling. I’m so excited to welcome you to UVA and help ease your transition here as best I can! I didn’t know a single person at UVA when I first got here, so I know somewhat what it’s like to have to adjust. Feel free to email me if you have any questions or just want to hang out and make a new friend! ([email protected]) |
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Hi! I'm Sarah Tirado, and I’m a fourth-year Biology major. I grew up in the Bronx but now live in Virginia. This past spring, I studied in Valencia, Spain; it was an amazing opportunity to use my Spanish as my family is from Honduras and Puerto Rico. While abroad, I loved meeting people from all over the world, trying local foods, and learning about new cultures. In Charlottesville, I’m often at Student Health, where I work at the front desk and shadow at the physical therapy center. In my free time, I enjoy working out at the AFC or going on drives while listening to music. I'm super excited to meet you all and am here to help with anything you may need as you transition to UVA. Please feel free to contact me! ([email protected]) |
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Hello! Welcome to UVA! My name is Katherine Tang, and I'm a rising third-year from Shanghai, China! I am double majoring in the Comm School and in psychology. Some of my hobbies are playing music instruments, going to concerts, hiking, playing tennis, and swimming. I also went to a boarding school in Connecticut for high school, so I can definitely relate how hard it can be when you first come to the States. Coming to UVA was a big transition but because of the resources I found and clubs I joined, i made si many friends and absolutely love here, so feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns ([email protected]) |
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Hi! My name is Nora Cheng, and I am a rising second year planning to major in biology and possibly Chinese! I grew up mainly in the US but lived in Shanghai for three years and love to explore new places! I also enjoy playing the flute, dancing, making/trying different foods, and going on walks or hikes. At UVA I am involved in AKAdeMiX dance crew (an open-style dance group!) and Grace Christian Fellowship. My first semester at UVA was spent abroad through the London First Program, which I enjoyed very much--however, I also felt that college itself was a huge adjustment, not to mention a completely new country, so please feel free to reach out for any questions or just to chat and make a new friend! ([email protected]) |
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Hey everyone! My name is Gemma Zhou and I am a third-year student majoring in Computer Science and minoring in General Business and Data Science. I love cooking, going out to eat, watching movies/TV series and I'm trying to read more. I'm also involved in the karate club. I can't wait to see you all, feel free to email me if you need anything or if you just want to chat <3 ([email protected]) |
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Hello! My name is Emmaline Biggs and I am a rising fourth-year student studying English Literature and Foreign Affairs with a minor in Spanish. Outside of school, I love to dance, run, hike, and read all kinds of novels (currently on a science fiction kick). I'm originally from Richmond, Virginia, and I lived in Valencia for two months before spending this past semester in Florence. I loved my international experiences, but I understand how daunting it can be to assimilate into a foreign culture; I look forward to helping make your transition easier. Anyone wishing to chat or grab a coffee, please feel free to email me. I can't wait to meet you! Welcome home, and go Hoos! ([email protected]) |
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Hi!! Welcome to UVA!! I am Anmeng Hao and I am a rising second-year from Beijing China. I am majoring economics and statistics. In my free time, I love cooking, playing guitar, listening music, meeting new people and learning different culture. I am here to help you with transition to UVA. I am really excited to meet you and get to know you!! Feel free to reach out me for anything! ([email protected]) |
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My name is Tran Nguyen, but I go by Tracy. I was born in the U.S. but spent half of my childhood in Vietnam. I'm a rising fourth-year student studying Statistics. I have many hobbies, including going to the gym, playing guitar, meeting new people, and trying new food. I'm so excited to meet and welcome you all to UVA. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions about classes, life on Grounds, or if you just need someone to chat or grab boba with. I'm here for you! ([email protected]) |
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Hey everyone! I’m Nitya Varigala, a rising second year studying Foreign Affairs. I have lived in Virginia my entire life, but I love traveling and learning about other cultures. At school, I’m a part of the Honor Committee, APISAA Peer Advising Family Network, Virginia DiShaan, and 180 Degrees Consulting. In my free time, I love to watch sitcoms, try out new foods with my friends, read, and listen to all kinds of music. I can’t wait to meet all of you and help with the transition to UVA! Feel free to reach out to me anytime! ([email protected]) |
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Hi everyone, my name is Ella Reed, and I am a rising fourth-year student from Charlottesville! I am majoring in Global Development Studies and double minoring in Spanish and Public Policy. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, art (scrapbooking, painting, and coloring), being outdoors, and exercising (hiking, swimming, and yoga recently). I spent the past semester studying abroad in Valencia, Spain, and am excited to be back on grounds working with International Neighbors, APO, and getting to meet all of you! Even though I am from Charlottesville, I love to try new things on and off grounds, so don’t hesitate to reach out ([email protected]) |
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Hi!! My name is Zicheng He from China Shenzhen. I am a rising third-year majoring in Computer Science. I am involved in other International Community Programs like VISAS, and I think they are great for any international students to join. I am passionate about visual arts, trying different cuisines and meeting new people from other countries! It was hard to get used to living in a brand new community at UVA, but this process was easier for me because of the wonderful people caring about international students. So I sincerely hope I can also help you during this process! Feel free to reach out to me through email, and welcome to the family! ([email protected]) |
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Hi there! My name is Lydia Sweeney. I am a fourth year studying commerce with concentrations in marketing and information technology. I work within the editing chain of The Cavalier Daily, and I am a member of the Appropriations Committee in the UVA Student Council. I'm also a part of the Spanish-speaking club Hablemos, as I enjoy meeting new people and learning about different cultures. In my free time, I like to play piano, listen to music, sail, travel, and watch and rate/review movies. I'm also always excited to explore restaurants, cafés, and little shops all around Charlottesville. I'm super excited to get to know you! Please reach out if you have any questions :) ([email protected]). |
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Hello! My name is Taline Makkar and I am a rising second year in the College of Arts and Sciences. My longterm goal is to go to law school. I was born in Cairo, Egypt and am Egyptian. I'm also an international student coming from Dubai, where I lived for the majority of my life. My first year at UVa was also my first year living in America. In light of my international student experience, I'm really keen to help other international students whose position I was in last year settle into UVa. In my free time, I play videos games, draw, read comics or just talk about said art and games with friends. I have quite a lot of random interests so I'm also curious to learn about other people's interests as well as their cultures! I look forward to helping new students acclimate to UVa! ([email protected]) |
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Hi, I am Dacheng. I am a rising second year student at UVA, and I am interested in Psychology and Education. As a Global Greeter, I cannot wait to support new students to thrive in UVA! ([email protected]) |
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Hello! I am Najor Bennam, a rising 4th year double majoring in Government and French. I am from Ghana and schooled there until I started high school. I love playing Sims 4, Animal Crossing, and listening to music. I am excited to meet you all and feel free to reach out whenever! ([email protected]) |
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Hi, this is Lesly, a second year pre-comm and statistics student. From China to Charlottesville, I've navigated the exciting change of adapting to new academic and social currencies. As a Global Greeter, I'm eager to help you cash in on a smooth start and rich experiences at UVA! ([email protected]) |
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Hello! My name is Roberta Asamoah, and I am a rising fourth year studying Foreign Affairs. I was born in the United States but grew up in Ghana. I love learning about different cultures and hope to explore more countries as I grow. In my free time, I love to bake, watch movies, and hang out with my friends. At school, I am involved in Planned Parenthood and The Organization of African Students, specifically Africa Day! Feel free to contact me if you want to connect more, I am so excited to meet you all soon! ([email protected])
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Hi, my name is Livy Lin, and I am a rising second year from China. I speak English and Chinese, but I also read and write Latin. I double major in Commerce and Classics, and I plan to minor in Latin. I like ACGN related topics and history. As an international student, the Global Greeters helped me a lot last year, and I hope I can pass on the care and warmth they gave me. ([email protected]) |
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Hello Guys I'm Kavis. I like playing sports, drawings, and photography. Would love to meet all of you. ([email protected]) |
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Hey Everyone! My name is Irene Wang and I'm a rising second-year international student from New Zealand! I'm thinking of double majoring in Neuroscience and Commerce on the pre-med track. On Grounds, I'm involved with leadership in the Jefferson Society, AMSA, and the International Residential College and have met many of my current friends through these avenues. In my free time I like reading, hiking, swimming and meeting new people! Don't hesitate to reach out at all! I was in your shoes just last year and want to help! ([email protected]) |
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Hi! I'm Hans, a rising second year from Hong Kong. I was born in China but lived in Hong Kong for most of my life. In my spare time, I love going to the gym, doing Origami and arts, and doing 3D printing. I'm involved with JSA and HKSA. I'd love to get to know yall and I hope you will have an amazing first year! ([email protected]) |