Name: Rachel Beery
Year: Second Year
Major(s): International Studies and Romance Studies
Hometown: Chillicothe, Ohio
Interests/Hobbies/Any fun facts: I enjoy traveling, drinking coffee, eating lots of different foods, going for runs, and exploring nature. I work at the Columbus Zoo as a Camp-In Facilitator. I’ve held a baby lion and a baby tiger before.
Why is diversity and globalization at Ohio State important to you?
Ohio State is an amazing university where peoples from all over the world come together from all over the world to study at this university. In this process amazing things happen where people interact every day and share their culture with others whether intentional or not. Through the mixing of cultures and ideas I believe this connection will solve many of the world’s issues. For me, I believe that if others are ignorant to an issue or don’t have empathy for an issue it is because they haven’t experienced or communicated with someone who has experience in this issue. With a more informed and open minded public the generation of students graduating from OSU will work all over the world spreading their ideas and knowledge to others.
How does GLI prepare you to become a future leader in our global community?
The whole mission of GLI is to develop future leaders that realize their role as a global citizen. Knowledge is what drives a person’s actions, and to me a leader is someone who acts on issues or conflicts that arise that they truly understand and care about. Furthermore, so far in GLI I am realizing more about others and about myself as I change and develop throughout college. GLI has and will give me skills I will need to be an informed, passionate, and fulfilling leader.
How would other students benefit from programs like GLI?
I believe anyone can benefit from all that GLI does. Students especially can expect to grow their knowledge and views of the world, learn to become a better communicator with anyone they come into contact with, and know how to make changes in the world. It doesn’t matter what field you go into there will be instances when you will interact with other people from different cultures and have different ideas than yours. In GLI as well you will build a great network of friends and professionals that will want to work and help you grow.
What are you most looking forward to about your upcoming year with GLI?
GLI energizes me to work hard and accomplish my goals. Some things I am most excited about are the monthly dinners where we will have the opportunity to network with very successful professionals, and I’m also really excited to see all of my new friends in GLI every week, and see the projects they create and how they will grow.
Name: Craig Bossley
Year: Second Year
Major(s): Pre-Major for Visual Communications Design (Graphic Design)
Minors(s): Hopefully Asian-American Studies
Hometown: Floyds Knobs, Indiana (born in Columbus though)
Interests/Hobbies/Any fun facts: I spoke solely Mandarin Chinese until I was about 3 years old.
Why is diversity and globalization at Ohio State important to you?
The world is too big and diverse to cater to only one group/type of people. I want Ohio State to be a welcoming place to those from other places.
How does GLI prepare you to become a future leader in our global community?
GLI will help me learn about other cultures and lifestyles, and a bigger global mindset. Meeting and integrating with the other GLI members of different backgrounds has really opened my eyes more to the crazy variety of backgrounds students at Ohio State have.
How would other students benefit from programs like GLI?
GLI puts you in a place outside of your comfort zone – you get to meet the most fascinating and interesting other people from different backgrounds, places, and walks of life!
What are you most looking forward to about your upcoming year with GLI?
The events that each group will be planning! It’s going to be a whole lot of hard work but the results are going to be amazing!
Name: Liying Chen
Year: Fourth Year
Major(s): Accounting
Hometown: Nanjing, China
Interests/Hobbies/Any fun facts: Movies and dramas
Why is diversity and globalization at Ohio State important to you?
As the world is developing, the society will be more and more diverse, how to get involved into the globalization is important to me.
How does GLI prepare you to become a future leader in our global community?
Help me to learn how to corporate with people who have different characteristic and personalities.
How would other students benefit from programs like GLI?
We provide other students who are interested in Globalization a channel to learn more about different countries.
What are you most looking forward to about your upcoming year with GLI? Getting to know all the members in GLI.
Name: Edith Chu
Year: Senior
Major(s): Accounting, Psychology
Minors(s): Development Studies
Hometown: Huber Heights, OH
Interests/Hobbies/Any fun facts: Reading, traveling, playing tennis, quoting Parks & Recreation, being a taco enthusiast
Why is diversity and globalization at Ohio State important to you?
Having such a diverse community here on campus is wonderful because there’s always an opportunity waiting around the corner to meet someone of a different background. With so many students (and faculty!) hailing from different countries all over the world, there’s always something new to be learned and a chance to increase one’s cultural awareness in a world that is becoming more globalized every day.
How does GLI prepare you to become a future leader in our global community?
Being in GLI has allowed me to step outside of my comfort zone and grow as a person, both personally and professionally by developing my communication and leadership skills and getting to network and learn from a diverse group of people.
How would other students benefit from programs like GLI?
Programs like GLI introduce students to people from all over the world at Ohio State, while also celebrating the importance of embracing other cultures.
What are you most looking forward to about your upcoming year with GLI? Bonding with the rest of my cohort!
Name: Tianhui Ge
Year: Second Year
Major(s): Psychology
Minors(s): Business
Hometown: Beijing, China
Interests/Hobbies/Any fun facts: Sports, baking, photography, traveling. Finding tasty food is kind of my passion for life.
Why is diversity and globalization at Ohio State important to you?
As an international student, I wish to view our campus from a global perspective, and try to explore the diversity and infinite possibilities here. I hope to develop a broader and colorful outlook at Ohio State.
How does GLI prepare you to become a future leader in our global community?
I think GLI offers us a great number of opportunities to find and improve our strength. Meanwhile, we can learn how to behave better in terms of group dynamics. It’s helping us to grow and become a proper leader.
How would other students benefit from programs like GLI?
They can definitely learn more about cultural diversity and leadership skills. There are also stage for them to apply their talents and actually achieve something meaningful.
What are you most looking forward to about your upcoming year with GLI?
I hope to have genuine friendship with the members in GLI family. I want to improve my leadership, communication as well as other skill. In one word, to evolve to a better version of me.
Name: Eva Gooi
Year: Senior
Major(s): Accounting
Minors(s): Video Arts
Hometown: Singapore
Interests/Hobbies/Any fun facts: Eager K-pop concert attendee as press journalist, travelled to 14 countries in the world!
Why is diversity and globalization at Ohio State important to you?
I believe that a conducive learning environment is one which is inclusive and welcoming, where students are not just learning about theory knowledge in school, but also accepting differences among cultures and understanding one another’s traditions. In this increasingly globalized world, it is important to cultivate such an open mindset since young.
How does GLI prepare you to become a future leader in our global community?
Despite the small cohort, the diversity within is unimaginable! Hanging out with peers from various backgrounds makes me understand the do’s and don’ts of different cultures, so I can be a more understanding global leader in the future.
How would other students benefit from programs like GLI?
GLI might host intercultural activities on campus for other students to participate, and friends of current cohort members may find out how much fun and learning there is in GLI and join in the next cohort!
What are you most looking forward to about your upcoming year with GLI? Creating long-lasting global friendships, learning different aspects of other countries so that I can better visit those countries in future, increase global awareness on campus!
Name: Brenea Gordon
Year: Fourth Year
Major(s): International Studies
Minors(s): Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and Business
Hometown: Bedford Heights, OH
Interests/Hobbies/Any fun facts: Addicted to video games and Kpop
Why is diversity and globalization at Ohio State important to you?
hen you are surrounded by diverse people, you gain new insights and ideas that you would have never imagined before. Even though I have my own story at Ohio State, it has also shaped by those around me.
How does GLI prepare you to become a future leader in our global community?
GLI has taught me what my strengths are and how to utilize them. I hope to use them to make an impact when I start working.
How would other students benefit from programs like GLI?
Many people can be bosses but the world needs to have leaders. GLI will not only empower students to learn more about themselves and strengthen their skills, but it works to make leaders culturally aware and willing to be harmonious with others of various identities.
What are you most looking forward to about your upcoming year with GLI?
I am looking to make new friends and gain valuable skills I can take with me into the workforce.
Name: Jeffrey Hooper II
Year: Second Year
Major: Civil Engineering
Minor: Business (IBE)
Hometown: Jackson Township (Massillon, OH)
Interest/Hobbies: I enjoy following current events, whether that be sports, politics, or other national and world news. I also enjoy travelling and volunteering; I’ve been on several Buck-I-SERV trips at Ohio State.
Why is diversity and globalization at Ohio State important to you?
Appreciating diversity gives me the confidence to pursue my passions rather than following a script or the expectations of others. Listening to stories of unique life journeys and cultural backgrounds forces me to think critically about my own values and future goals. Having a global perspective requires a mentality of curiosity and empathy, rather than a checklist of countries to visit.
How does GLI prepare you to be a future leader in our global community?
The different activities in GLI provide self-awareness by illuminating my leadership strengths. The global awareness and cultural engagement give me the confidence to leverage these strengths toward solving international issues. Hearing everyone’s passion and energy about their academic and cultural interests helps me envision what the world ought to be, rather than passively accepting the status quo.
How would other students benefit from programs like GLI?
Students would benefit from GLI because it would fundamentally transform their mentality toward college and education in general. Too many students approach college as career training and a stepping stone to professional success. College is a rare opportunity to stretch your comfort zone, engage with new ideas, and be introspective. Programs like GLI embody these educational ideals.
What are you most looking forward to about your upcoming year with GLI?
I am looking forward to seeing everyone’s personal growth as leaders and globally-minded students of the world.
Name: Xiaohan Huo
Year: Sophomore
Major(s): Accounting
Hometown: Beijing, China
Interests/Hobbies/Any fun facts: I am a big fan of Harry Potter. It’s a legend. I love reading and photography. A fun fact about me: I took the written test four times to get my driver’s permit.
Why is diversity and globalization at Ohio State important to you?
I love traveling and I am curious about the world. I love to share my own culture, while listen and learn from other cultures. Ohio State is such a big, diverse campus with people from all over the world. It’s like Disney World: you just cannot have enough with all the opportunities, diversity and mix of culture around you here.
How does GLI prepare you to become a future leader in our global community?
Because of the diverse and global environment GLI provides, it helps the members to gain a broader global view and a unique perspective in thinking. The interaction between students with different backgrounds equips GLI members the skill to approach to and communicate with people who have a different background than them.
How would other students benefit from programs like GLI?
Something special about programs like GLI is that, they focus on creating an international involved community for students who embrace diversity and have interests in culture exchange opportunities. It’s definitely a great program for students to gain cross-cultural perspective and be aware of culture difference.
What are you most looking forward to about your upcoming year with GLI?
For this year in GLI, I am looking forward to meet all the awesome people and work with them together. Hopefully, I will make some life-long friendships and bonds with my GLI members. Also I am really excited to grow and develop my leadership and communication skills with everyone else through the program.
Name: Jimmy Kamarudin
Year: Third Year
Major(s): Accounting & Economics
Minors(s): N/A
Hometown: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Interests/Hobbies/Any fun facts: I love pop and electronic music, and a big fan of concerts. I enjoy Netflix and movies as leisure activities. I would love to explore all states and great places that United States can offer to appreciate the culture, food, people and other aspects that come in my way. I might not be a cool guy, but I’m down for any cool things and be adventurous to get out of my comfortable zone.
Why is diversity and globalization at Ohio State important to you?
Diversity is about embracing the differences and learn new things that we encounter every single day. These are the aspects that make us as a better person as we can develop a better understanding of others and being open to explore what the world can offers to us. By learning differences, we can appreciate the idea of being unique and positive.
How does GLI prepare you to become a future leader in our global community?
Through GLI I can learn various cultural contexts and adapt them in a daily basis that influence my course of actions and thoughts. The inspirational speech from the guest speakers and professional development that we go through as a a cohort will allow me to develop professionally and sharpen my soft skills. I have a great deal in learning and the knowledge that I gain will prepare me to fit in the real world.
How would other students benefit from programs like GLI?
Exploring the opportunities that lie ahead of them to get involved on campus and know their communities better. GLI is the best medium to learn and explore various fields and get a better idea of cultural contexts and how they can apply them in real life.
What are you most looking forward to about your upcoming year with GLI?
Getting to know unique personalities of GLI members, learning new things from each other and being able to establish life-long friendship. I’m excited to embark on great experience throughout the year with the members to broaden my horizon and and enhance my personal growth.
Name: Ainil Huda Mohd Khalid (Ainil)
Year: Third Year
Major(s): Logistics Management & Marketing
Minors(s): Popular Culture Studies
Hometown: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Interests/Hobbies/Any fun facts: Traveling, playing volleyball and cheering on the Buckeyes!
Why is diversity and globalization at Ohio State important to you?
Diversity and globalization is important to me because students from all over the world come to Ohio State. Being open-minded and accepting differences are crucial because it gives people the chance to experience different things outside of what they are normally accustomed to. As an international student, having such a diverse group of students at Ohio State makes me feel accepted and welcomed to be part of this community.
How does GLI prepare you to become a future leader in our global community?
GLI is a great platform for me to step out of my comfort zone and willing to take risk even though it may have failed me. However, learning from mistakes are a good way of growing up and be a better leader. Getting involved in GLI also means getting involved in global oriented events.
How would other students benefit from programs like GLI?
Other students will have be better global leaders and are more interest in getting involved with events by OIA.
What are you most looking forward to about your upcoming year with GLI?
I am excited to start a new journey with this wonderful, diverse GLI family.
Name: Eileen Markert
Year: Third Year
Major(s): International Studies: Development & French
Minor(s): Swahili
Hometown: Centerville, OH
Interests/Hobbies/Any fun facts: I love traveling to explore & learn about new places, volunteering within my community & reading a good book. I am also a huge fan of procedural dramas like Law & Order: SVU & NCIS.
Why is diversity and globalization at Ohio State important to you?
Diversity and globalization at OSU is important to me because our campus mimics the real world in the sense that people of different cultural backgrounds collaborate and work together. Therefore, it’s important for domestic and international students to bridge the gap that exists between them in order to create a greater sense of cultural awareness.
How does GLI prepare you to become a future leader in our global community?
GLI is preparing me for a future as a global leader by giving me the unique opportunity to closely interact and converse with students from around the world, creating our own global community within the cohort. I can then apply the skills and knowledge gained from this experience to help foster other global communities within my future career.
How would other students benefit from programs like GLI?
Programs like GLI offer students the chance become involved in a global community and engage with people of different cultural backgrounds. These programs also allow students acknowledge but not discriminate based on cultural differences, giving them a better chance of effectively communication with one another.
What are you most looking forward to about your upcoming year with GLI?
I am looking forward to creating friendships with everyone in the cohort and having great conversations with our many speakers and guests throughout the year. I am also excited to challenge myself in order to learn and grow!
Name: Karen Mazza
Year: Fourth Year
Major(s): Mechanical Engineering
Minors(s): Spanish
Hometown: Centerville, Ohio
Interests/Hobbies/Any fun facts: Traveling, playing soccer, watching football, camping and hiking
Why is diversity and globalization at Ohio State important to you?
Diversity and globalization at Ohio State is important to me because our student body represents not only all 50 states, but many many countries. It is important to get to know people from all parts of the world and to seek opportunities to get to know each other. No work place (or anywhere in the world) is made up of one, similar group of people. Ohio State introduces students to this diverse world that we are preparing to enter.
How does GLI prepare you to become a future leader in our global community?
GLI prepares me to become a future leader in our global community by providing numerous opportunities to plan and work with a very diverse group of people. It challenges me to reach out to people in the community and to take risks.
How would other students benefit from programs like GLI?
Other students would benefit from programs like GLI by stepping outside their comfort zone and getting to know people from all different walks of life. This sort of program opens students to so many opportunities and ideas that they did not even know were possible.
What are you most looking forward to about your upcoming year with GLI?
I am most looking forward to all the awesome guest speakers we will get to meet and listen to throughout the year. And of course getting to know all the other GLI members.
Name: Suad Osman
Year: Second Year
Major(s): Neuroscience
Hometown: Columbus, OH
Interests/Hobbies/Any fun facts: I’m obsessed with anything mango related. If it has mangoes I will probably eat it
Why is diversity and globalization at Ohio State important to you?
I think globalization and diversity at OSU is important due to the increasing globalization taking place at our university. The world is starting to become a smaller place and its getting easier to interact with people from different cultures on our very own campus. So it’s important for us to understand globalization so that we can break any barriers between our domestic and international student populations.
How does GLI prepare you to become a future leader in our global community?
GLI will prepare me by giving me the opportunity to interact with leaders in the community and peers from many different paths of life. I will be able to build my character to become a more capable and versatile global leader.
How would other students benefit from programs like GLI?
I think students who want to make differences within their communities and the global community would benefit because they are given a great opportunity to build their leadership and teamwork skills. All while working with people who are from all over allowing them to also build their confidence and people skills.
What are you most looking forward to about your upcoming year with GLI? I’m really looking forward to getting to know my fellow GLI members, building great friendships and also building up my character.
Name: Nathalie Pagán
Year: Third Year
Major(s): Globalization Studies
Minors(s): Portuguese and Human Rights
Hometown: Dorado, Puerto Rico
Interests/Hobbies/Any fun facts: I was born with my left eye’s pupil longer than the average, allowing me to see more through that eye than most people.
Why is diversity and globalization at Ohio State important to you?
Due to living in an ongoing globalizing world it is important to me to engage with different people than myself. I get to learn so much more about histories, cultures, traditions, and local and global societies by submerging myself in a culture that provides all of that in one place such as Ohio State.
How does GLI prepare you to become a future leader in our global community?
I feel that GLI will prepare me become a future leader by providing me with resources that otherwise I wouldn’t be able to take advantage of such as team building activities, global leaders perspective and inputs, besides others.
How would other students benefit from programs like GLI?
As I mentioned before, GLI facilitates that interaction between successful peers and full-of-potential students in order to grow in a professional and cultural scale.
What are you most looking forward to about your upcoming year with GLI? I’m looking forward to everything that GLI has to offer, but especially the community within GLI.
Name: Thamar Plute
Year: Fifth Year
Major(s): International relations
Minors(s): Korean, Economics, and Statistics
Hometown: Don’t have one. Was always moving. (The whole world is my home)
Interests/Hobbies/Any fun facts: Writing, reading, learning, photography, eating, traveling – adventure.
Why is diversity and globalization at Ohio State important to you?
It creates more opportunities to really experience exciting new things.
How does GLI prepare you to become a future leader in our global community?
I guess we will see after the process is done.
How would other students benefit from programs like GLI?
Allows them to meet and interact with many different people and the opportunity to grasp diverse perspectives.
What are you most looking forward to about your upcoming year with GLI?
A wealth of diverse experience.
Name: Nihal Prakash
Year: Third Year
Major(s): Operations Management
Minors(s): Statistics
Hometown: New Delhi, India
Interests/Hobbies/Any fun facts: Painting/drawing, reading books, watching movies (I’m a huge movie buff) and playing tennis
Why is diversity and globalization at Ohio State important to you?
I feel that the presence of diversity at a university as large as Ohio State helps students to develop themselves personally and foster a sense of global community.
How does GLI prepare you to become a future leader in our global community?
GLI provides great resources such as interaction with members and leading professionals from industry and government to help us develop leadership skills that can be applied in an increasingly globalized and integrated world.
How would other students benefit from programs like GLI?
Through GLI, students can learn more about other countries, their cultures and become more appreciative of the diversity at OSU and beyond.
What are you most looking forward to about your upcoming year with GLI?
Understanding and appreciating different cultures, working on outreach events, becoming a better leader and making tons of friends!
Name: Feng “Maple” Qiu
Year: Fourth Year
Major(s): Math
Hometown: China
Interests/Hobbies/Any fun facts: Karaoke, swimming
Why is diversity and globalization at Ohio State important to you?
I want to experience more and make friends with people from all over the world.
How does GLI prepare you to become a future leader in our global community?
GLI brings me new ideas, new friends and new experiences. I practice my public speaking and try to express my own thoughts, rather than just to listen.
How would other students benefit from programs like GLI?
They can get involved and make friends. They will find the value of themselves through interacting with people. Solving problems together can also enhance the team-work skills.
What are you most looking forward to about your upcoming year with GLI?
I want to improve my public speaking and make new friends.
Name: Keegan Scott
Year: Fourth Year
Major(s): International Studies
Minors(s): Turkish
Hometown: Delta, Ohio
Interests/Hobbies/Any fun facts: I love to talk, travel, and eat!
Why is diversity and globalization at Ohio State important to you?
Living in such a tight-knit world even though people reside thousands of miles away, its important to understand those who are different!
How does GLI prepare you to become a future leader in our global community?
Being in such a diverse cohort has allowed me to really learn how to work with others from such a wide array of backgrounds. I have never felt so prepared to enter a globalized workforce!
How would other students benefit from programs like GLI?
Whether engaging over international discourse, breaking down stereotypes, or simply meeting new friends, there is something for everyone!
What are you most looking forward to about your upcoming year with GLI? The people! My fellow GLI members are absolutely fantastic, and I cannot wait to get to know them more!
Name: Jialu “Coral” Xu
Year: Fourth Year
Major(s): Marketing, Logistics Management, Operations Management
Hometown: Beijing
Interests/Hobbies/Any fun facts: Collecting rocks, skiing, wanting to do sky diving and bungee jumping but still haven’t got a chance.
Why is diversity and globalization at Ohio State important to you?
It enables me to think well-roundly and know the interesting stories happening to other people
How does GLI prepare you to become a future leader in our global community?
It makes me aware of the differences of people and the beauty of being different. This really help me build up my personal growth.
How would other students benefit from programs like GLI?
They would benefit from these kinds of programs the same way as they benefit me–knowing the perspective from others, understand it, and appreciate it.
What are you most looking forward to about your upcoming year with GLI?
I really want to see how the social events for these nine sister cities go. Plus, knowing the creative ideas people have.
Name: Yinkai “Kyle” Xu
Year: Fourth Year
Major(s): Finance
Minor(s): Economics
Hometown: Guangdong, China
Interests/Hobbies/Any fun facts: BALL IS LIFE!
Why is diversity and globalization at Ohio State important to you?
More diversity means more culture, more culture means more learning, more learning means more improvement.
How does GLI prepare you to become a future leader in our global community?
It develops my sense of global citizenship.
How would other students benefit from programs like GLI?
Other students will make new friends and learn from them.
What are you most looking forward to about your upcoming year with GLI?
Making new friends and working with them!
Name: Kim Wu
Year: Third Year
Major: Strategic Communication
Minor: Video Arts
Hometown: Pretoria, South Africa
Interests/Hobbies/Any fun facts: I’ve played violin since I was 8, the animation world delights and intrigues me, and I have a deep, inexplicable phobia of fish. I also love to read – my favourite book is The Lord of The Rings.
Why is diversity and globalization at Ohio State important to you?
I think great achievements are done when people cooperate. Ohio State is a huge mixture of international and domestic students. There are outstanding students in both groups – it is important to me that we are identified not by our origin, but by what we can do and how far (literally and figuratively) we can go with that.
How does GLI prepare you to become a future leader in our global community?
GLI has a fantastic way of showing or reminding people of their strengths and provides opportunities to figure out how to use those strengths to influence the people around them. I don’t want to be the one leader leading a group of people – I believe in using my strengths to help others see the leadership potential in themselves and collectively work together on global issues.
How would other students benefit from programs like GLI?
GLI really pushes you to think outside the box, be resourceful and most importantly, appreciate and learn from the achievements of others.
What are you most looking forward to about your upcoming year with GLI?
I’m super excited about all the people I’m going to meet (or have met)! I’m also absolutely determined to see the GCSCI projects succeed!