Yale University
Office of International Students & Scholars
Office of International
Students & Scholars
Phone: 203.432.2305
Fax: 203.432.7166
email: oiss@yale.edu
OIS Counselors & Greetings
To get the real scoop on OIS, you can read about the OIS 2013 Counselors – Yale College upperclass men and women who participated in OIS as first year students. They have all agreed to answer your questions so you should feel free to email them over the summer.
Feras Alajmi | feras.alajmi@yale.edu
Hello Freshmen! I'm Feras and I'm a rising Junior from Bahrain (which you've probably never heard of, its tiny), and I will be one of your head counselors this year. I am currently an Economics and Global Affairs major interested in development, and specifically global health. This summer, I'm going to be visiting India for the first time running an impact evaluation trial. At Yale, I am very involved with the International Students Organization, the Arab Students Association, and the Roosevelt Public Health Institute. I am personally very excited for round THREE of OIS and look forward to meeting all of you.
Angie Hanawa | angie.hanawa@yale.edu
Hello everyone! My name is Angie Hanawa and I’m from Lima, Peru. I’m a rising junior in Ezra Stiles College majoring in Environmental Studies and Political Science (although the latter is yet to be determined). Being 5/8 Japanese and 3/8 Peruvian, I have always embraced my ‘internationality’ and I’m so excited to serve this year as a part of an awesome Head Counselor team for OIS! At Yale I’m involved in the International Students’ Organisation, the Yale International Relations Association, the World Fellows Program, the Arab Students’ Association, Accent: the undergraduate multilingual magazine at Yale and various environmental groups such as Project Bright and the Yale Climate and Energy Institute. Feel free to ask me about anything, so excited to meet all of you!
Han Myo (Edward) Oo | hanmyo.oo@yale.edu
Mingalabar! I’m Han Myo Oo (you can call me Edward), and I’m the only international at Yale from Yangon, Myanmar. I am an Architecture major, but I’m also interested in Visual Art, Chinese, English, Business and Entrepreneurship. I’m really excited to be a Head Counselor for OIS 2013, and look forward to making the start of your Yale years a memorable one. At Yale, I am part of the Yale Jashan Bhangra team, Q Magazine (Yale’s LGBTQ Magazine), the Alliance for Southeast Asian Students, and the Global Undergraduate Economic Forum. I also co-founded and lead The Myanmar Project at Yale. Ask me anything, or say hello!
Katy Osborn | kathryn.osborn@yale.edu
Hey there! I’m Katy, and I’m a rising Branford junior hailing from an international school in Bonn, Germany. I’m an Anthropology major, but I’m also interested in visual art, creative writing, and human rights. On campus, I write for a number of publications and am an editor for The Yale Herald, Yale’s weekly newspaper. Full disclosure: I’m not a real international (my passport is American, and my family recently moved to Annapolis, MD)...but the fact that I’m back for a third year of OIS is a testament to what an awesome experience it is. Can’t wait to meet you all!
Khalid Attala | khalid.attalla@yale.edu
Welcome, welcome one and all! My name is Khalid Attalla, a rising sophomore in Jonathan Edwards College, and a prospective Economics major looking to go to law school. People generally tend to get confused when I try explaining where I'm from, so let's get that out of the way quickly. I was born in Sudan, raised in the great state of Colorado, and live in Dubai, the greatest city on Earth. The only thing greater than Dubai is football (not soccer, football), the one true love of my life. When I'm not obsessing over football, I can be found dabbling in the activities of the Yale Arab Students Association and the Yale International Relations Association, or, asleep. Most likely asleep. But, I digress, you'll learn more about my eccentricities when we meet, and I hope to find out all about yours.
Danny Avraham | daniel.avraham@yale.edu
Hey! My name is Danny Avraham, I'm a rising junior from Tel Aviv, Israel, currently majoring in Ethics, Politics, and Economics. This past year I served as Vice President of the Yale College Council (our student government) and have recently been elected as President for the upcoming year. I work as a Tour Guide for the Admissions Office (so we might have already met if you visited Yale before!). I volunteer with the Yale Refugee Project, and have been involved during my time at Yale with YIRA, Yale Reach Out, Accent, Mock Trial, and Design for America. I love photography, mountain climbing, and of course Yale’s internationals. So I can’t wait to meet all of you!
Daniel del Bosque | daniel.delbosque@yale.edu;
My name is Daniel and I'm from Culiacan in Mexico. I'm a rising junior in Davenport. I plan on going back home and trying to change things to some extent at some point in the future. I like urbanism and how city politics interact with globalization. I'm on the cycling team. I like Borges.
João Pedro Drechsler | joaopedro.drechsler@yale.edu
Hi, my name is João Pedro de Oliveira Mello Drechsler (JP for short) and I’m a rising sophomore from Porto Alegre, Brazil. I’m interested in studying Economics and Global Affairs, hoping to one day pursue a career in Business, Foreign Service, or International Development. Here at Yale, I’m involved with the Yale International Relations Association, the Yale Student Investment Group, and the Elmseed Enterprise Fund. I am so excited to welcome all the international freshmen for the best four years of your lives!
Maia Eliscovich | maia.eliscovichsigal@yale.edu
I am Maia Eliscovich, a rising sophomore in Timothy Dwight College. I was born in Ecuador but live in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I am interested in Economics and Global Affairs. I am part of the Freshman Class Council, Latin American Student Organization, Timothy Dwight Student Activity Council, and have participated in Reach Out. I know that this transition can be hard. I will try my best to help you discover it by yourself in the best possible way!
Aleksandra Gjorgievska | aleksandra.gjorgievska@yale.edu
Welcome to Yale, internationals! My name is Aleksandra, and I hail from Skopje, Macedonia. I am a junior trying to double-major in English and Ethics, Politics and Economics who divides her time between reporting for the YDN, napping, reblogging photos of beautiful people and places on Tumblr, going out and occasionally attending lecture. Reach out to me with questions about Directed Studies, the YDN, classes, professors, parties, or anything else that comes to mind, Yale related or not!
Hira Husnnen | hira.husnnen@yale.edu
Hey Internationals!! My name is Hira Husnnen and I am a sophomore from Pakistan. I am majoring in Economics and History of Science and Medicine and have coursework concentration in Global Health. During my time at Yale I have been involved in AIESEC, YHHAP, YRP, ACCENT, Yalies for Pakistan and Roosevelt Institute. I am super excited to meet all of you and give you advice about any academic (since I have changed way too many majors) and extracurricular endeavors.
Hoon Pyo (Tim) Jeon | hoonpyo.jeon@yale.edu
I am an Ethics, Politics and Economics (EP&E) and Mathematics major from Seoul, South Korea. Before coming to Yale, I attended Phillips Exeter Academy, a private boarding school in Exeter, New Hampshire. Having lived in four different countries since when I was little, I love reading Japanese/French/Korean literature, watching international soccer matches, driving an SUV in foreign places (cars in general), enjoying a glass of Moët-Chandon, and watching dramas (How I Met Your Mother, Friends, many J-Dramas). I had a fascinating time during OIS my freshman year and I am super excited to be an OIS counselor!
Olga Karnas | olga.karnas@yale.edu
I'm Olga, a rising sophomore in Silliman College from Bochnia, Poland and an alumnus of the Mahindra United World College in India. I am involved with the International Students’ Organization (Cultural and Political councils), Yale Center for British Art, Yale Refugee Project, and The Myanmar Project. I’m a potential German or/and History major. Yale is an incredibly cosmopolitan place and I cannot wait to meet you! Enjoy your summer and contact me with any questions!
Mohammad Katkhuda | mohammad.katkhuda@yale.edu
My name is Mohammad Katkhuda and I am sophomore in JE from Amman, Jordan! I am majoring in mechanical engineering so if you have any questions on engineering and applied physics at Yale I’m the guy to ask. I’m also a huge sports fan, whether you’re into the premier league, La Liga, the NFL, or the NBA I’d be more than happy to point you in the direction of places where you could catch the game. I am also really interested in flying; I’m working on my private pilots license this summer and hopefully I’ll have it by the time you’re reading this!
Jéssica Leão | jessica.leao@yale.edu
I am Jessica Leao, a rising sophomore in Calhoun College. I was born in Salvador, Brazil. I am member of the Model United Nations Team, Yale International Relations Association, Brazil Club, and the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. I am interested in majoring in Global Affairs and Economics, and hope to go to Law School after college. I am very interested in meeting new international Yalies, and helping you ease your transition to this amazing place.
Raphael Leung | raphael.leung@yale.edu
Hey, 2017 internationals! My name is Raph, and I am very excited to welcome you all to Yale. Born and raised in Hong Kong, I am a rising junior in Trumbull College. At Yale, I am involved with political science research and fix computers for Student Technology Collaborative. When not coaching for the Urban Debate League or travelling with the Yale Debate Association, I enjoy coding and working on lights crew for theater. Please feel free to ask if any of that piqued your interest, or if you have any questions at all as you gear up for college over the summer. Looking forward to meeting and getting to know you all!
Yusu Liu | yusu.liu@yale.edu
I guess a lot of things about me can be explained by the fact that I’m an only-child and spent half of my life in an empty house and the other half in boarding schools. But do not be fooled by my passion for authentic Chinese food and genuine leather products. I actually have serious intellectual pursuits such as becoming a Physics and Religious Studies double major. Also, I’m probably too honest, so ask me anything.
Vivath Ly | vivath.ly@yale.edu
I am Vivath, a rising sophomore from Branford College (BFA!). Originally, I'm from Cambodia/Singapore. Right now, I am an Economics & Mathematics major. Outside of class, I'm involved in several theatre productions on campus, and I am currently a board member of the Musical Theatre Association. Besides theatre, I'm also a member of the Roosevelt Institute at Yale and the 2014 ITASA Conference Organizing Committee. So hit me up if you wanna ask me about anything that I just mentioned. Looking forward to see y'all at the 2014 OIS!!
Mehitabel Markwei | metabel.markwei@yale.edu
Hi Cool kids with cool accents!!! My name is Mehitabel Markwei but I just go by Metty with everyone! I hail from the bustling city of Accra. I’m a sophomore in Berkeley College, on the pre-med track and potentially an Anthropology and Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Bio) double major. I’ve come to call Yale my home in many ways. I’m on the board of the Yale African Students Association & the Serve The Nations Coordinator at the Black Church at Yale. Honestly, I love to dabble in a lot of things I will no mention here! So when you see me do come closer and ask me loads of questions ranging from studying abroad/internships to good food at Yale! And you better bring along with you some good humor and a broad smile! ;D
Zubin Mittal | zubin.mittal@yale.edu
Hey guys, I'm Zubin, a sophomore in TD. Born and raised in New Delhi, India. Went to an international school in Delhi (did the IB). Pretty outgoing. No clue what I'm going to major in, but probably Econ/Poli Sci or Global affairs. Involved in the international community at Yale a fair amount. On the board for South Asian Society and a few of the councils of the International Student Organization. I play the guitar, and am pretty into music. Also on the cricket team, which is the most relaxed club sport here at Yale. Involved in Greek life here at Yale, am a SAE brother. My OIS experience was amazing, and I met some of my best friends here at Yale at OIS. You guys will have an amazing time.
Devika Mittal | devika.mittal@yale.edu
I'm a rising junior in Silliman College hailing from the hot, chaotic mess that is New Delhi, India, and I'm planning to double major in Economics and Political Science - just like about half of Yale. At Yale, I'm involved in the International Students Organization (best organization on campus!), the Yale International Relations Association (YIRA), the Yale Daily News and a South Asian dance group called Rangeela. I love getting the most out of my Yale experience through international experiences and have been to Greece and China with YIRA, something that I'd love to talk to anyone about. I love OIS - so much that I came for OIS 2012 even though I wasn't a counselor. Feel free to ask me about anything or reach out if you have any questions! I'm REALLY looking forward to meeting all of you and making OIS 2013 an unforgettable experience.
Cristabelle Orminston | cristabelle.ormiston@yale.edu
Hey international Freshmen! My name is Cristabelle Ormiston and I am a rising Sophomore in Silliman College. As of now I am probably going to be an English major, though I am also interested in Psychology and History. I am originally from Singapore and lived there until moving to Yale. Ethnically speaking, I am half American—my dad is from the boonies of Indiana—and half Chinese—my mother is an incarnation of the Tiger Mother. Interests wise: I am an avid fan of Murakami, Disney, and Game of Thrones, so feel free to bond over mutual hate of King Joffrey.
Pierre Ortlieb | pierre.ortlieb@yale.edu
Hello. I’m Pierre, a rising sophomore in Berkeley College. Though I was born in France, I grew up in London and currently live in Frankfurt, Germany, where I attended an international school for ten years. At Yale, I enjoy playing soccer, making music, and writing; my major will likely be a double in history and philosophy. I support Eintracht Frankfurt, and am into music such as The Smiths, Beirut, and Phoenix.
Alessandra Powell | alessandra.powell@yale.edu
My name is Alessandra Powell, and I'm a Freshman in Trumbull from New York City. My family is from Luca, Italy and it is one of her favorite places. I'm interested in international relations and love to travel. I love the Yale International Relations Association, the Yale Art Museum, A capella and dance. At my boarding school, I led our international orientation program, and I'm really looking forward to doing it again. I can't wait to meet all of the new international freshman!
Joyce Saad | joyce.saad@yale.edu
I’m a rising Junior/Senior in Ezra Stiles College born in Giza and raised in Dubai. You can ask me what that combination means when you meet me at OIS :) After much deliberation and assurances that I cannot major in everything offered at Yale, I’m an Economics major. I’m interested in globalization, asylum/refugees, national identity, languages and pink balloons.
Nicola Soekoe | nicola.soekoe@yale.edu
There are the small things (I am 20, I live in Timothy Dwight College, I am a member of the class of 2016) but most importantly: I come from the most beautiful place in the world, Cape Town, South Africa, Africa. My vibrant home has left me with an unquenchable thirst for adventure. I love to explore and to learn and to meet. Talk to me about politics, social engagement, development, education, and the intersection of all four. Can't wait to meet you!
Esther Soma | esther.soma@yale.edu
I hail from South Sudan and Kenya. I am a rising sophomore in Jonathan Edwards College hoping to major in Global Affairs or Political Science. I am interested in music, poetry, international relations, governance and women empowerment, amongst others. I've been involved with: Yale's Christian a cappella Living Water, Yale's premier afro-pella, ASEMPA(!) and Yale African Students Association in the Events planning committee. I look forward to participating in other areas of my interest this coming year. What I cherish most about OIS was the amazing friendships I forged with other international students.
Alexander Vernoit | alexander.vernoit@yale.edu
Greetings! My name is Alexander Erzini Vernoit, and I am a rising sophomore in Saybrook College from Tangier, Morocco. My studies include the science, economics, and international politics of the climate crisis. Among other things, I am involved with the Yale Student Environmental Coalition and the Yale Climate & Energy Institute. I really am thrilled at the prospect of imparting my intense love of Yale to the newest members of its community, thrilled to be given the opportunity to interact with the incoming international freshmen as an OIS Counselor.
Orientation for Yale College Students (OIS)
Testimonials
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