International Student Advising

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.

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.