International Student Advising

I have a Masters of Arts from Carleton University with a specialization in Women’s and Gender studies (migration management and governance). I have over 8 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 lead the international advising portfolio and  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 grew up in Northwest China and earned my Bachelor of Laws degree from Northwest University. In 2010, I came to Canada as an international student and later completed my Master of Education at the University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO).

As a proud UBC alumnus and a dedicated International Student Advisor, I have over 10 years of experience working in the Canadian international education field. I support international students in a wide range of areas, including cultural adjustment, settlement, health insurance, personal well-being, and immigration-related inquiries.

In addition to my professional role, I actively volunteer in the community to promote multiculturalism and diversity, supporting local immigrant and international students and workers. I genuinely enjoy working with young people and value the opportunities to connect with them, listen to their stories, and provide guidance during important stages of their lives.

Having experienced the challenges of studying abroad firsthand, I understand the complexities international students may face. I am committed to offering compassionate, informed support to help students achieve their academic goals and succeed in their life journeys.

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 seven 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 a current student (MA) and 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 and instructor 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.

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.

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.

Hi, my name is Mame Andoh (She/Her/Hers) and I am a fourth year student stu

dying political science and geography. I recently completed a go global trip to Malta and Greece for my Geographies of Migration class! I love learning about new cultu

res and languages. Recently, I’ve been learning portuguese and playing vollyball!

Over the summer I was part of a Global Seminar abroad in Malta and Greece. As someone who’s completing a bachelors in Geography and is passionate about engaging with different cultures and people, the program not only improved my academic understanding but also expanded my personal worldview. I got to explore multiple new cities, and make unforgettable memories, not only getting to visit as a tourist but also immerse myself in local culture and experiences. This photo was taken of me in front of the Triton Fountain in Valetta, Malta, one of the first places I visited while in Europe!

I want to use my experience abroad to act as a Global Engagement Ambassador, to help support fellow UBCO students in discovering opportunities to connect with the global community, both locally and abroad.

Having grown up across different countries and cultures, global engagement has always been an important part of who I am. Before coming to UBCO, I lived in both China and New Zealand, and those experiences shaped my understanding of how meaningful cross-cultural connection can be

—whether through everyday interactions, community events, or new international experiences.

At UBCO, I’ve continued to stay involved in student life by helping organize events, supporting new students, and contributing to building an inclusive community on campus. Being able to connect with people from diverse backgrounds has been one of the most rewarding parts of university for me.

As I’ve settled into life in Canada, I’ve also gradually embraced more aspects of Western culture and lifestyle. One of the most impactful discoveries for me has been rock climbing—it started as a new activity to try with friends, but quickly became a meaningful part of my routine.