About the Global Engagement Office

Originally from Germany, I grew up moving a lot and have been fortunate to gain experience studying, living, and working internationally.  I received my Master’s degree in International Relations with honours from the Universiteit Leiden in the Netherlands where I was a Nuffic Huygens scholar and completed my doctoral studies at the University of Calgary. My dissertation and research focused on the internationalization of higher education and the nexus of government policy, immigration policies/programs, institutional programming, and international student career transitions.

In addition to my role at UBC, I am a member of the Central Okanagan Local Immigration Partnership Committee, the immediate past Co-Chair of the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) National Immigration Advisory Committee, an instructor/guest lecturer for CBIE’s International Student and Immigration Education Program (ISIEP), and Senior Advisor, Learning and Development at the Canadian Bureau for International Education. I also am a member of the Board of Advisors for Isempower, a career ecosystem designed to support international students in the transition from studies to career and a member of the Board of the Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA). Before joining UBC, I was at the Rotterdam School of Management (RSM) with their International and Executive MBA programmes, and prior to that at The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies (HCSS) in the Netherlands.

The team at the Global Engagement Office is here to support you throughout your studies. If you aren’t sure where to start with your query, stop by our office and connect with our staff to get you started!

I am in my 16th year with Go Global and have loved watching it grow over the past decade. I am a BA graduate from UBC Okanagan and an MEd graduate from UBC Vancouver and spent part of that degree in Copenhagen. I’ve recently completed my PhD with a focus in overseas short-term programs. I have a serious love of traveling, reading, and lifelong learning.

I have learned an incredible amount while abroad and I’ve taken quite a few solo adventures. I highly recommend traveling alone at least once as it squashes fears and will boost your confidence to continue exploring. I fully believe that studying overseas is what you make it, so go abroad with an open mind and say yes to experiences no matter how scary they might sound at first. Introduce yourself to new people and don’t hide in your dorm room!

I have a Masters of Arts from Carleton University with a specialization in Women’s and Gender studies (migration and diaspora). I have over 6 years of experience working in the field of human rights and migration policy. I have also completed a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Gender Studies from the University of Victoria. I manage the Intercultural Development Program at UBCO to provide intercultural training to students and staff on topics related to mental health, cross-cultural communication, social justice, and professional development.

I also work as an Intercultural Consultant across campus and within the broader Okanagan community to provide strategic direction on equity and diversity projects and publications. I am also a volunteer advisory board member of the Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan and an Associate Lead of the International Network of Tomorrow’s Leaders (INTL) of the Canadian Bureau of International Education (CBIE). I am passionate about meeting and interacting with students from all over the world. I hope you have a successful academic year and I look forward to meeting you.

Born and raised in Indonesia, I moved to Canada to pursue an Economics degree at UBC Okanagan, and I have been loving my time here! As an international student, I’ve experienced the excitement, challenges, and growth that come with starting a new chapter in a new country.

I am happy to be working with the Global Engagement Office as a Co-op student, where I can turn my own personal experiences into meaningful support for others. My goal is to help bridge any cultural and social gaps, foster connections, and contribute to a vibrant, welcoming, and inclusive campus community where international students feel supported and cared for.

I completed a Master’s of Education at UBC’s Okanagan campus and a Bachelor of Law at Northwest University in China. I have over six years experience working with international students in both secondary and post secondary schools.

I am familiar with the cultural adjustment process for international students, and have extensive experience providing international student services, such as settlement support, personal issue support, health care advising, and connecting students with cultural activities and supports within the community.

From a very young age I have been moving and travelling around the world. I was born in Iran but left as a young child. My family moved to Scotland, then to Canada. As a young adult my travelling spirit continued to spur me on. I started my undergraduate degree at Okanagan College in Kelowna (before there was a UBCO), but then completed it at Sonoma State University in San Francisco. I travelled to China as part of my undergrad program. My student experience was so incredible there, that I returned to China, after I was married, and we lived, worked and raised a family there for the next 19 years.

After returning to Canada in 2012, I began a position as an International Student Specialist at the University of Alberta. I became a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant in 2014 and have been working to support international students through their journeys ever since. I am a keen advocate for international students. My passion is to see international students thrive!

I am so pleased to be part of the UBCO Global Engagement Office and bring my expertise in supporting the international graduate students and their families.

I am a dedicated immigration practitioner and advisor with over five years of experience in international education. With experience in post-secondary, legal aid, and private practice, I bring a diverse set of perspectives to supporting students with anything that might be relevant to their personal, academic, and professional lives. I have worked at the Global Engagement Office in a variety of roles, and also bring experience in supporting short-term visiting/exchange students and researchers to the International Student Advising team.

I am also an alumnus of UBC Okanagan (BA – International Relations, 2018), and was an international exchange student myself at Sciences Po (2017). I was licensed as an Immigration Consultant (RCIC) in 2021, and outside of my role(s) at UBC, have been engaged as a researcher on international student immigration law and policy for the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE). I am passionate about supporting students through cross-departmental partnerships, and am always interested in collaborating with other campus partners on initiatives that serve to enhance the student experience.

My journey with UBC began on this campus, where I completed my Master of Education degree in 2023. Soon after, I joined the Global Engagement Office and have been supporting students ever since. Before coming to UBC, I worked at an international school with a UK-based curriculum, which gave me valuable experience in both Canadian and international education systems.

Outside of work, I’m an global traveler who has explored more than 10 countries so far—and the list keeps growing! I look forward to welcoming you to our office and am happy to help you navigate your UBC experience, as well as your life in Canada more broadly.

I am a dedicated immigration professional and community leader with a passion for supporting individuals and families in their journey to find a new home in Canada. Since 2015, I have made a significant impact in the field of immigration through my work in refugee resettlement, immigration consulting, and community development initiatives.

With a bachelor’s degree in international relations from the UBCO and a post-graduate certificate in immigration consulting, I possess a strong academic foundation and practical knowledge in the complex field of immigration.

My career began in refugee resettlement, where I worked to provide support and assistance to displaced individuals and families. My compassionate and empathetic approach played a vital role in helping refugees successfully integrate into Canadian society and rebuild their lives.

Recognizing the need for professional guidance in immigration matters, I became a regulated immigration consultant. Through my consulting practice, I have provided expert advice and assistance to numerous individuals, families, and businesses, helping them understand the intricacies of immigration laws, navigate the application process, and achieve their immigration goals.

One of my most significant accomplishments is my involvement in developing the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot for Moose Jaw, SK. Recognizing the economic and social benefits of attracting newcomers to smaller communities, I worked diligently to help create an immigration program that would facilitate the successful integration and retention of newcomers while meeting the specific needs of rural and northern areas.

I am excited to bring my dedication, expertise, and leadership home to UBCO as our RCIC – International Student Career Advisor.

As a frequent traveller and dual-citizen of Canada and the United Kingdom, I am well aware of some of the unique challenges and obstacles that students may encounter both when considering whether to go and while on exchange. Having completed two degrees at UBC Okanagan (BA and BEd), I know how easy it is to find reasons not to go on exchange and am passionate about encouraging students to take advantage of the opportunity to go on exchange while they can (speaking from experience of someone who did not take the opportunity to go abroad and regrets it on regular occasion).

My goal as your Go Global Advisor is to help you have the best exchange experience possible while ensuring you meet all requirements for graduation. No matter where you decide to Go Global, it is a life-changing decision that you will never regret in life!

I recently completed my Masters of Business Administration, and when I’m not head deep in work or study, my passions include travel, playing & watching football (soccer), supporting Liverpool FC, and continued learning/development.

As a former international student and UBC Okanagan alumna with a BA in Psychology and a Master of Education from the University of Toronto, I know firsthand that navigating university can be exciting, overwhelming, and full of “so what do I do next?” moments. Before joining UBCO, I worked at a private college, where I supported students through advising, admissions, program coordination, and the many behind-the-scenes details that help student services run smoothly.

My own experience with academic transitions has shaped the way I support students today: with empathy, practical guidance, and a strong belief that new opportunities can be life-changing and much less intimidating with the right support.

Outside of work, I’m usually lifting weights, hiking, skiing, gardening, hunting for good food, planning my next trip, going to concerts, or reporting directly to my two cats, Waffle and Mocha.

As a UBC Okanagan alumna, my own Go Global experience took me to Durham University in England for a year abroad while completing my BA in Psychology. That experience deepened my love of travel, sparked a lasting passion for international education, and showed me firsthand just how transformative stepping outside of your comfort zone can be.

My experience abroad has shaped the way I think about supporting students today. I know that deciding to go on exchange can be exciting, overwhelming, and sometimes a little intimidating, but I also believe it can have a lasting impact on your confidence, perspective, and the way you see the world. I’m excited to help students navigate the process, take advantage of the opportunities available to them, and create meaningful experiences of their own.

Born and raised in Kelowna, I’m happy to be back home in the Okanagan after 3 years living in Toronto. Outside of work, I’m an avid reader, a devoted Blue Jays fan (go Jays!), and love spending time with my two cats, Luna and Nova.