Penn World Scholars
The Penn World Scholars program attracts outstanding students from around the globe and provides them with the foundation for lives as global leaders.
Penn World Scholars come from across the globe to attend any of Penn’s four undergraduate schools and major in any academic subject.
Selection Criteria for Penn World Scholars: Penn World Scholars are selected by Penn Admissions based on exceptional leadership potential, academic achievement, and financial need.
Enhancing the Penn World Scholar Experience: The Penn World Scholar experience at Penn is enhanced by creating opportunities for global engagement beyond the classroom, providing an avenue for global citizenship and leadership.
Engagement with University Leaders and Alumni: Participants meet with University leaders, international alumni, and distinguished visitors, and they take the lead on organizing events that interest them.
Breakdown of Each Year:
Throughout their four years at Penn, Penn World Scholars engage in a series of purposeful experiences designed to foster personal growth, leadership, and global awareness.
- In their first year, scholars participate in Penn’s Intercultural Leadership Program (ILP), where they begin building strong interpersonal and communication skills within a welcoming and inclusive campus community.
- During their sophomore year, they take part in a career and immigration workshop tailored specifically for Penn World Scholars, equipping them with the tools and insights to begin planning for life beyond Penn—both personally and professionally.
- In their junior year, scholars explore global leadership in action through an annual trip to Washington, D.C., or New York City, where they engage directly with leaders across diverse sectors.
- As seniors, they turn their focus toward service and innovation, applying their experiences and values to create meaningful impact in local and global communities.
Penn World Scholars Director
Dr. Rudie Altamirano | Email
Executive Director, International Student and Scholar Services
Executive Director, Immigration & Integration Services
Penn World Scholars Coordinator
Dr. Yuhong He | Email
Director, Integration, Community Engagement and Marketing
International Student and Scholar Services
Meet the Current Penn World Scholars
Class of 2028
Felipe Carvalho
Brazil
Academic Areas of Interest: “I intend to study Political Science and Economics, learning even more about international politics and discovering how political elements, such as the adoption of public policies or civic education, directly impact the economic development of different regions worldwide.”
Personal Interests and Hobbies: “Overall, I am a tremendous enthusiast of Model UN, debates, and anything that involves diplomacy, public speaking, or leadership. I regularly work in Instituto Diplomun, the company I created that became the organizer of the largest MUN in Latin America and the most prominent Brazilian institution in young people’s public speaking and leadership education. Furthermore, I admire different forms of art, so it is not uncommon to find myself contemplating a work by Van Gogh, listening to music by Arctic Monkeys, discussing the ending of Fight Club with my friends, or writing poetry about my feelings.”
Future Plans: “I plan to use the education and network that I will develop at the University of Pennsylvania to continue promoting political education measures, especially in the Latin American region. I want to combine policymaking with international economic analysis to create education measures that increase global young people’s civic awareness, enhance their public speaking and leadership skills, and enable them to reduce socioeconomic and educational disparities.”
Siobhan Halm-Quagrainie
Ghana
Academic Areas of Interest: “I have got a wide range of interests – Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Finance, Economics and Real Estate.”
Personal Interests and Hobbies: “Reading autobiographies and memoirs, magazines, newspapers (anything readable); binge-watching YouTube videos. I also research into blockchain and the financial markets occasionally.”
Future Plans: “I look forward to working with an investment bank of hedge fund. I also want to establish an organization that provides education in financial literacy and consulting in personal finances, starting with my home country, Ghana and subsequently, Africa.”
Hannah Hayman
United Kingdom
Academic Areas of Interest: “I am in the School of Nursing and hope to either specialize in midwifery or pediatrics. I have also started learning Spanish, which is already becoming my favorite language.”
Personal Interests and Hobbies: “Before I came to Penn, I was involved in a variety of volunteering initiatives that helped multiple charities within my local community. I worked closely with Mencap charity, which contribute to improving the quality of life for people with a learning disability. I hope to continue volunteering while at Penn because I am passionate about helping those in need and raising awareness of issues that many people are uneducated about. I was also a part of my local netball club, the Cynon Comets. My hobbies include reading, watching marvel movies, hanging out with friends and most importantly playing exploding kittens (I recently started playing this game and it is the best!).”
Future Plans: “I would like to travel abroad and work with organizations that help undeveloped countries with antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care. After graduation, I see myself working in either Europe or the US because I am interested in working within hospitals that focus on fetal medicine as I am passionate about research. As well as this, I would hope to work within labor and delivery or the NICU unit.”
Agustina Hufschmid
Argentina
Academic areas of interest: “They’re too many — literature, artificial intelligence, cognitive science, history, and international policies. I plan on majoring in Science, Technology and Society in the College of Arts and Sciences.”
Personal interests and hobbies: “I enjoy learning new languages; one of my goals is to be able to speak up to 5 languages. I also love reading and writing, the latter being one of my biggest passions. My other hobbies include drawing, public speaking, and watching old movies.”
Future plans: “I see myself working in different fields, either in research studying the relation between cognitive science and artificial intelligence, or in diplomacy developing policies around the use of technology for social good.”
Matthew Jacobs
South Africa
Academic Areas of Interest: “Although still somewhat undecided on my final Wharton concentration, I have a deep passion for both behavioral economics and legal studies and ethics. I have always been drawn to the more human element of business and I am sure this is an area I will be inclined to major in. Outside of this, I have a deep interest in philosophy (primarily Ancient Greek) and will be working towards gaining a minor in this field.”
Personal Interests and Hobbies: “Self-improvement guru. I love journaling, experimenting with morning and evening habit routines, listening to podcasts and reading. I am also a very active person and love going on early morning runs down Locust Walks, visiting Pottruck for a lifting session in the afternoon and joining the Penn Rugby team for practice in the evenings.”
Future Plans: “Without a doubt, my future plans include returning back home to my beautiful country, South Africa. The educational outreach programs I created in the rural areas of Kwa-Zulu Natal exposed me to the depth of suffering experienced on a day-to-day basis. Although I am not entirely sure of my final business path, I know I will take the skills and connections I have made over my time at Penn and Wharton back home with me to Africa and make the large-scale impact my country desperately needs.”
Yasmine Kettani
Morocco
Academic Areas of Interest: “I am planning to concentrate in Business, Energy, Environment, and Sustainability with a minor in environmental studies or data science. Overall, I would say that I am passionate about the current transitions that our world is going through – specifically, environmental and digital – and about the future of our societies.”
Personal Interests and Hobbies: “Philosophy, making music and singing, fiction, and photography.”
Future Plans: “After completing my bachelor’s degree, I would like to pursue a masters in development science. My ambition would be to build and lead a company whose goal would be to implement sustainable energy in developing countries. I hope to be a part of the profound changes that our societies are currently undergoing and to use that to contribute to make a positive impact on populations.”
Eleftherios Lazarinis
Greece
Academic Areas of Interest: “I am planning to major in computer science with a special interest in artificial intelligence and machine learning. I also like entrepreneurship and management, so I plan to minor in engineering entrepreneurship.”
Personal Interests and Hobbies: “Civic engagement, traveling, cycling, socializing.”
Future Plans: “After graduating from Penn I plan to do a master’s degree in an AI related field and get an MBA before entering the market. I hope that I will still be able to explore my passions in every way, connect with people and help those around me.”
Filip Manjevic
Sweden
Academic Areas of Interest: “I am interested in exploring different subjects such as economics, sustainability, biology, entrepreneurship and computer science.”
Personal Interests and Hobbies: “In my spare time I mostly like to engage in physical activity. My favorite sports are swimming and running. Besides that I also enjoy exploring different cultures, try new things, civic engagement and listening to music.”
Future Plans: “Although I am not sure of what I want to do in the future, I would like to engage in innovation in sustainability and assist companies transform their industries to be more climate neutral.”
Thu Nguyen
Vietnam
Academic Areas of Interest: “I am planning to major in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Environmental and Sustainability Management. I am also thinking of double-majoring with PPE (Philosophy, Politics and Economics).”
Personal Interests and Hobbies: “I love sustainability, nature, advocacy, community service and arts in general. Besides, I enjoy music of any kind, Broadway musicals, going on boba and coffee runs with my friends, and anything outdoors.”
Future Plans: “I deeply care about sustainable development and human well-being; thus, I hope to work at the intersection of policy, human development and sustainability. After graduation, I will travel around to different communities, using the tools and knowledge from Penn to foster positive societal changes.”
Pion Pareyio
Kenya
Academic Areas of Interest: “I have a wide range of interests in Economics, Neuroscience, Political science, History and Public Health.”
Personal Interests and Hobbies: “Watching and playing sports, watching documentaries, reading books or newspapers, debating and advocacy.”
Future Plans: “I would like to further my education and use it to identify and pursue a mission to make the world a better place and to become a researcher, writer and expert in my field of study.”
Elena Paz
Honduras
Academic Areas of Interest: “I love to talk about our global economy as well as investing on the stock market and any other financial investments. I have always been interested on how investments have been changing, or globalizing, over the past years. Also, debating on politics is something I truly enjoy.”
Personal Interests and Hobbies: “I enjoy weightlifting and everything related to the fitness industry. I love animals and enjoy petting them as well as volunteering on shelters.”
Future Plans: “I plan to start my own research on economic disadvantages third world countries in Latin America possess. In the future, I would like to intern at a top company at Wall Street and acquire experience on what I truly enjoy . Eventually, I plan to return to my home-country Honduras, and continue my professional pursuits there.”
Ali Saber
Iraq/Tanzania
Academic Areas of Interest: “Molecular and Cell Biology with a focus on genes and gene editing techniques. The genetics field is a new field that deals with genes and gene editing.”
Personal Interests and Hobbies: “I enjoy listening to music and I listen to it a lot! I also find peace in the time I spend doing photography and photo editing. My favorite sports are table tennis and soccer. I also enjoy doing small projects with Arduino and coding.”
Future Plans: “Currently, I am doing the VMLS (Vagelos Molecular and Life Sciences) program which will help me to direct me into a research based path. In this program, I will be focusing on Biology/Molecular Biology in order to be able to get closer into the genetics field. This should help me get a career as a researcher in a lab.”
Rihem Sassi
Tunisia
Academic Areas of Interest: “I’m planning on pursuing a double concentration in Finance & Business economics and Public policy at the Wharton School of Business. I’m also considering minoring in computer science.”
Personal Interests and Hobbies: “So many! I’m passionate about women’s rights and civic engagement. Thus, I’m interested in joining the board of Wharton Women and putting forth ideas on how to support women in Business. I also love theater, and I’m excited to audition for the play “dryland” this fall. I also love coffee and hanging out with friends.”
Future Plans: “In the coming years, I plan on taking advantage of the different study-abroad opportunities at Penn. I aspire to deepen my world view even more and be a global citizen. After completing my Bachelor degree at Penn, I’m considering pursuing a Masters degree in Business Administration (MBA). Career wise, I can see myself working for an international consulting firm, and eventually launching my own business in Tunisia.”
Maria Guadalupe Solaeche
Paraguay
Academic Areas of Interest: “I’m planning to study Mathematical Economics in the College with a minor in Data Science.”
Personal Interests and Hobbies: “Two of my main passions are volleyball and math; I have competed in both of them since I’m 10 years old. On the other hand, I also enjoy spending some time volunteering in different NGOs. Additionally, I like reading non-fiction books, doing exercise, and going out with my friends.”
Future Plans: “In the future I hope to use my job as a way to improve my country’s situation. Now my dream is to become a development economist and research how to solve poverty in Paraguay and Latin America. Still, I am open to exploring other possibilities and areas but always keeping in mind my purpose of helping others.”
Alima Aset
Kazakhstan
Academic Areas of Interest: “Bachelor of Science in Economics at Wharton School of Business. Planning to concentrate in Marketing & Finance. Passionate about marketing, its interdisciplinary nature (how it balances both creativity and analytics) and marketing’s importance in promotion of social projects. As a part of the Joseph Wharton Scholars program, I am also interested in research in neuroscience and its application in business.”
Personal Interests and Hobbies: “Taking photographs and videos to capture the memories. Exploring the world – learning something new, meeting new people, visiting interesting places. Having an active lifestyle and hiking.”
Future Plans: “The next four years at Penn will definitely change me, my life perception and future plans, which is why I remain open-minded. But I believe in application of business knowledge in development of social projects, and I am interested in working in business in tech, digital & education. I also hope to use the knowledge I will gain here to improve the quality of education back in my home country, Kazakhstan.”
Naseebullah Andar
Afghanistan
Academic Areas of Interest: “I am planning to be a Pre-Med Economics major with a minor in Philosophy. I have been fascinated by the mutual influences of Science on the economic landscape of our society. Also, realizing that Science is underpinned with philosophical underpinnings without which the accuracy of Science as a truth standard is incalculable, I plan to integrate the understanding of Science, philosophy, and economics to discover the hidden actualities of our reality.”
Personal Interests and Hobbies: “Memorizing random numbers, names, facts, etc. Doing poetry across languages. Reading books, articles, magazines, and anything readable. Writing books, and compiling my thoughts. Playing cricket (I am good at it). Playing chess (I am just about average). Watching movies – DC Comics (No Marvel!). Discussing ideas.”
Future Plans: “I plan to utilize the education I would receive and the Alumni Network I would develop at the UPenn to actively unify the divisions from which humanity suffers. Also, believing that Medical, Scientific, Economic, and Philosophical advances can make the world a slightly better place, I will strive to contribute to the intellectual landscape by attempting to unravel the mysteries around and above us.”
Majd Ayyad
Palestine
Academic areas of interest: “Architecture, sustainable design, bioengineering, economics, languages, photography, and fine arts.”
Personal interests and hobbies: “Civic engagement, Photography, baking desserts, learning new languages, badminton.”
Future plans: “After completing my undergraduate degree at Penn, I would like to pursue a master’s degree in sustainable design and enhance the research and design sector in my country. I see myself working in Academia to empower young women to get involved in research and innovative practices.”
Fadel Batal
Syria
Academic areas of interest: “I am planning to major in Biomedical Engineering with a concentration in cell and tissue engineering on a pre-med track. I am also interested in Computer Science, and Political science.”
Personal interests and hobbies: “In my free time, I enjoy playing sports like Basketball, Soccer, and Ping Pong. I am also into tutoring, learning foreign languages, exploring different cultures, civic engagement, and listening to music.”
Future plans: “I am currently planning to participate in chemical and biomedical research, especially in nanomedicine research. Honestly, I am not sure what my dream career is, but I hope to pursue it in the medical field either as a neurosurgeon or as a research Scientist in Biotechnology.”
Omar Ben Kaddour
Tunisia
Academic areas of interest: “They’re all over the place–economics, public policy, legal studies, statistics, and computer science.”
Personal interests and hobbies: “Advocacy and social justice; theater; music; watching classics, reading theory; cooking; thrift shopping.”
Future plans: “After graduating from Penn, I want to pursue a dual JD/MBA program and eventually work on economic development in the MENA region.”
Ariana Bedoya Mansilla
Bolivia
Academic areas of interest: “I am a member of the dual-degree Huntsman Program, majoring in Business at Wharton and International Studies at the College of Arts and Sciences. My two target languages are Portuguese and French. Some of my additional academic interests are reading and learning history.”
Personal interests and hobbies: “I have competitively practiced horse-back riding and showjumping for over ten years. In high-school I was in the track-and-field varsity team, and still continue to run and work-out on a daily basis. My hobbies include watching great movies or documentaries, advising students on the college application process, and going out with friends or family.”
Future plans: “I plan to study abroad in Portugal or France for a semester. In the future, I would like to work for a consulting or insurance company. Eventually, I plan to return to my home-country Bolivia, and continue my professional pursuits there.”
Andrea Espósito-Rubio
Panama
Academic areas of interest: “I’m planning to pursue a double major in Economics and Political Science with a minor in Law and Society on the Pre-Law Track in the College of Arts and Sciences.”
Personal interests and hobbies: “I’m passionate about civic engagement, and volunteer work. I also enjoy learning languages, brewing and trying different blends of coffee, going on coffee runs, reading, debating British Parliamentary style, organizing debate tournaments, and listening to Christmas music.”
Future plans: “I see myself working in the Economic field after my undergraduate studies at Penn before pursuing Law School both in the United States and in Panama. I plan to advocate for equal access to quality education for Latin American Women, and to raise awareness on the importance of civic engagement and political change and involvement.”
Ondrej Gonzor
Czech Republic
Academic areas of interest: “I have always been interested in the intersection of business and technologies therefore I am majoring in Computer Science and I plan to get a minor in economics or entrepreneurship for engineers.”
Personal interests and hobbies: “I love to explore new places, taste new food and learn new things. In my free time, I exercise, take care of my mango trees, or fly gliders.”
Future plans: “I plan to test the new knowledge in real life by building projects with people I will meet here at Penn. After graduation, I would like to travel the world and use my skills to help communities to grow and eventually I want to return to the Czech Republic where I hope I will contribute to positive changes in our society.”
Manya Gupta
India
Academic areas of interest: “I’m interested in global health, biology, economics, anthropology, and international development!”
Personal interests and hobbies: “I really enjoy reading (contemporary fiction and memoir), spending time with my younger sister, and going to random events in Philadelphia. I’m also very involved with debate.”
Future plans: “I care deeply about global health, poverty alleviation, biosecurity, and gender justice, especially in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. In the future, I see myself working at the intersection of health and development, and will continue exploring what the specific role might look like.”
Lachlan Heywood
Australia
Academic areas of interest: “I currently intend to pursue a double major in Economics and Physics. Beyond that, I am also interested in political science, international relations and entrepreneurship.”
Personal interests and hobbies: “I’m interested in debating, youth advocacy, community service and social impact, particularly as it relates to business. I also enjoy playing and watching basketball, listening to music, reading, travelling and exploring new restaurants.”
Future plans: “Whilst I am unsure of where my professional life may lead, I hope to pursue a career in business, hopefully in an organisation that utilizes my interest in physics. Above all else, I hope to work for an organisation which employs the levers of business to enact social change.”
Reyhan Jamalova
Azerbaijan
Academic areas of interest: “I am planning to major in Computer and Information Science with a concentration in Data Science and minors in Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Entrepreneurship.”
Personal interests and hobbies: “I am really interested in fields like Renewable Energy, Social Entrepreneurship, Sustainability, Data Analysis, and Psychology, and I enjoy getting involved in community service, tutoring, reading, drawing, watching mystery/sci-fi movies, and solving Rubik’s cube.”
Future plans: “After successfully completing my undergraduate studies, I plan to pursue a master’s degree in Data Science to strengthen my expertise in the field while working on Rainergy part-time. After I complete my studies, I plan to bring my experiences and knowledge back to my country and use them for the good of my community and the development of my country.
“Overall, I want to be one of the bests in the field I will be working in, a thoughtful and one of the most powerful leaders who is changing our world into a better place, and a humanitarian who thrives a positive impact on people’s lives.”
Margarita Mnatsakanyan
Armenia
Academic areas of interest: “I’m pursuing a career in Business Economics and Public Policy at Wharton School of Business. Being passionate about change, I want to examine pressing global issues while helping the world take a step towards a more sustainable and peaceful future.”
Personal interests and hobbies: “I love baking traditional desserts from all over the world, biking, and skiing in the mountains.”
Future plans: “Even though I am uncertain about what the future holds, I am envisioning a career in global politics.”
Uchi Murima
Kenya
Academic areas of interest: “I’m interested in exploring cognitive science, economics, artificial intelligence, global health and mathematics.”
Personal interests and hobbies: “I enjoy getting involved in social impact activities such as community service and women empowerment initiatives. I also love travelling, reading, and listening to podcasts. I also recently got into photography.”
Future plans: “Upon completion of my undergraduate studies, I hope to proceed to graduate school and study public policy. I hope that my Penn education and beyond will equip me with more knowledge that will put me in a better position to help make substantial change in the healthcare system in my home country and Africa at large upon my return.”
Dea Rrozhani
Albania
Academic areas of interest: “I plan on majoring in Computer Science and minoring in Electrical Engineering at the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. I am also very interested in Entrepreneurship.”
Personal interests and hobbies: “I love programming, building robots, playing the piano, reading classic literature, learning new languages and travelling!”
Future plans: “My dream is to work on software and robots that incite social change all around the world.”
Alejandra Soria Andrade
Ecuador
Academic Areas of Interests: “I am part of the Huntsman Program in Business and International Studies, with Portuguese as my target language, for the next four years at the Wharton School and the College of Arts & Sciences essentially because I am really interested in economics, public policy, business and international affairs.”
Personal Interests and Hobbies: “Traveling, language learning, outdoor activities, watching movies, meeting new people, getting to know cultures from around the world, getting out of my comfort zone, coffee, braiding, and learning about indigenous civilizations.”
Future Plans: “I hope to become an agent of change for my country to help solve the economic problems, but I also hope to become a global citizen who is constantly involved in leadership engagements and inclusive initiatives, at the same time of travelling all over the world.”
Michał Wyrębkowski
Poland
Academic areas of interest: “I currently intend to major in Economics. My other interests include: Energy Policy, Economic History, Political Science, Russian and Eastern European Studies as well as French Studies.”
Personal interests and hobbies: “Environmental activism; debating and Model UN; youth engagement; science-fiction literature; poetry of Russian and French singer-songwriters; film classics; philosophy of dialogue; baking pastries and playing video games.”
Future plans: “I intend to work on the pathways of the green energy transition, as I consider energy the most fundamental element of human civilization, one so omnipresent that often overlooked. I would like to work on that in academia through economic research, in the field of business by fostering innovation in the field, and one day in the public policy itself, helping Poland to phase out coal.”
Dina Zhanybekova
Kazakhstan
Academic areas of interest: “Cinema and Media Studies, Political Science (College of Arts and Sciences)”
Personal interests and hobbies: “Making movies, playing the piano, dancing, singing, debating, playing chess, and swimming.”
Future plans: “Right now, I anticipate working in the film industry either as a director or an actress. In my opinion, people from the media and entertainment carry a huge responsibility to the audience. Therefore, I find it necessary to stay knowledgeable about the issues that are present in society and use my voice sensibly. In the long future, I’d like to get involved in politics more because I believe that the key to solving socio-economic problems in a country lies in its governmental policies.”
Past Penn World Scholars
Mustafa Bayramli
Azerbaijan
Academic areas of interest: I will be spending my next 4 years studying International Relations and Economics as part of the Huntsman Program at Penn.
Personal interests and hobbies: Debating, Data Analysis, Personal Finance, Traveling, Basketball, Mixed Martial Arts, Environmental Advocacy
Future plans: After the completion of my undergraduate studies at Penn, I would like to pursue a Master’s degree in Economics/Business Administration for a much deeper understanding of the field and, eventually, make a big positive impact on the economic sector of my home country, Azerbaijan.
Diane Byukusenge
Rwanda
Academic areas of interest: I am currently majoring in nursing. I am also planning on taking a minor in global health. I love learning about different social factors that affect health.
Personal interests and hobbies: I am interested in exploring different cultures and languages. I also love reading, tutoring and jogging.
Future plans: I am planning on participating in various global health research, exploring different social, cultural and political factors that affect health. I also want to participate in different community services around campus.
Mohamed Elnasir Eltigani Osman Abaker
Sudan
Academic areas of interest: I am studying at the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. I am planning to major in computer science. I am also interested in Science, Technology, and Society.
Personal interests and hobbies: Soccer, gaming, programming, Robotics, learning about different languages, and meeting people from different cultures and backgrounds.
Future plans: I hope to improve the Healthcare system in Sudan by introducing machine learning techniques in diagnosing, epidemic prediction, and more.
Valeria Germanova
Bulgaria
Academic areas of interest: Business – especially Marketing & Business Analytics (these are my intended concentrations at the moment)
Personal interests and hobbies: I love playing tennis, taking photos, reading non-fiction books, listening to good music, and spending time in nature.
Future plans: While I’m still not sure what my dream career path is, I hope I’ll be able to take full advantage of the various educational (and extracurricular) opportunities at Penn. To be honest, I see myself as a bright business lady in a buzzing marketing company, working on different and exciting projects, collaborating with a motivated team, and making a positive impact on the community, in one way or another.
Luke Gooding
Trinidad & Tobago
Academic areas of interest: I have always been fascinated by the natural sciences, particularly Chemistry, yet it has always irked me that I am always learning ‘what’ to think, not ‘how’ to think. For this reason, I am drawn to Philosophy, at first as a hobby, but now as a critical piece of my future.
Personal interests and hobbies: My Trini nature loves a good ‘lime’ and some quality music, whether it comes from my family band or my headphones on full blast. I am currently a teacher, podcaster, videographer, and social media marketer.
Future plans: Reformation of Trinidad and Tobago’s education system is a high priority for me, as I think we need to focus on producing more independent and critical thinkers. I am yet to flesh out a title for my future career but I see myself as a sociopolitical commentator or a teacher.
Grace Holden
United Kingdom
Academic areas of interest: I’m really interested in exploring International Relations, Sociology, Mathematics and French at Penn.
Personal interests and hobbies: I’m interested in activism and social justice. I also like sewing and up-cycling clothes, cooking, reading and discovering new places to eat in my home town, Birmingham. I also love music and musical theatre.
Future plans: I would love to pursue graduate education and continue learning for as long as possible. It’s hard to say what career I envision myself in, however I know I am interested in working for non-profit organisations. I would love to work to improve women’s access to education all over the world.
Ahmed Laban
Egypt
Academic areas of interest: Economics, Political Science, Computer Science
Personal interests and hobbies: Bodybuilding, debating, politics, cycling, stocks
Future plans: I envision myself working in economics, computer science, or maybe in a field that combines both of these things (financial engineering). I aspire to eventually start my own business. As for my non-professional plans, I wish to positively impact my community and bring about much needed social and political change. I believe it is my responsibility as a global citizen–and as a human being–to actively call for and pave the path for a better world: one that is free of war and misery, one in which every person is treated equally and justly and not on the basis of race, sex, nationality, or religion.
Carolina Yuka Nakada
Brazil/Japan
Academic areas of interest: I am currently majoring in Mechanical Engineering with a Robotics concentration. I am also very passionate about education and foreign cultures!
Personal interests and hobbies: Learning foreign languages and cultures; playing video games; reading; playing chess; getting involved in community service; robotics; women empowerment.
Future plans: I intend to participate in robotics research to learn how technology can improve education quality and promote equality of opportunities in my home country.
Anh Ngo
Vietnam
Academic areas of interest: I intend to double major in Economics and Computer Science. Other than these two areas, I am also excited about entrepreneurship, public policy, education and auditing.
Personal interests and hobbies: I am a semi-professional baker who is passionate about food science and nutrition. I have also played the violin for 10 years and I have a black belt in Karate.
Future plans: I am currently envisioning a career in business; I have a particular interest in social entrepreneurship, but I am still open to changes.
Leah Yousef Tesfa
Ethiopia/Zimbabwe
Academic areas of interest: I’m pursuing a career in mechanical engineering in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Having a love for innovation; a passion for physics and a desire to make a direct impact on the society around me, I’m very excited to pursue a degree that encompasses all my interests!
Personal interests and hobbies: During my free time I enjoy playing sports like tennis and swimming, and taking part in my church’s Praise and Worship Team.
Future plans: With the constant power shortages in my country, I’m excited to use my Penn Engineering education to make a difference in my home country, Zimbabwe, by enhancing the energy sector. Coming from a country where there are very few women in STEM, yet alone engineering, I also strive to be a role model and a source of inspiration to fellow Zimbabwean women aspiring to pursue this amazing field.
Josias Zongo
Burkina Faso/Ghana
Academic areas of interest: I’m currently intending to major in Economics. My other interests include Political Science, International Relations, Marketing, Business Analytics, French Studies, Biology, and Neuroscience.
Personal interests and hobbies: Leadership & Advocacy, entrepreneurship, long-distance running, environmental activism, model UN, public speaking, graphic design, photography, videography, singing, hanging out with my friends, and watching Netflix.
Future plans: Among many other things, I see myself working toward the alleviation of absolute poverty and the overall socio-economic development of Burkina Faso, Ghana, and other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa through entrepreneurship, science, and/or politics.
Enzo Bergamo
Brazil
Academic areas of interest:
I am currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering at SEAS. In addition, I am interested in Data Science and its applications in different contexts.
Activities and interests:
I am a current member of the Penn’s fencing team; I am truly passionate about this sport and have been a fencer for 10 years. I also enjoy trying new foods and exploring new places to eat!
Future Plans:
I plan on following a career as a Data Scientist and obtaining a Master’s Degree. Most importantly, I hope to use the skills that I am learning at Penn to make a positive impact in my home country.
Ruth Ergete
Ethiopia
Academic areas of interest:
Even though I am currently undecided on what major I am going to pursue, the areas that interest me are all things related to math, psychology, various disciplines of neuroscience, and I’m hoping to find interest in computer science!
Activities and interests:
I like to read about new things, learn about the different languages in my home country( Ethiopia has more than 80!), participate in volunteering activities. I also really enjoy listening to music, acting, and I absolutely love cooking traditional food.
Future Plans:
I wish to end up doing something that will not only be beneficial to me, but will also have an impact in the community. Moreover, I wish to be involved in doing work in non-profit organizations, namely orphanages in Ethiopia and Africa as a whole.
Mario Ferre
Italy
Academic areas of interest:
Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace, Automation technology, Engineering Design, Computer Science, History of Science and Technology, Materials Science.
Activities and interests:
Photography, Robotics, Contemporary Art, Calligraphy, Poetry, Reading, Running, Espressos, Traveling, Debating, Playing the Ukulele.
Future Plans:
I hope to work in the Aerospace Sector, contributing to humanity’s next great endeavor: Occupying Mars.
Victoria Fethke
Germany
Academic areas of interest:
Physics, Astronomy, Mathematics, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Mechanical Engineering, Philosophy
Activities and interests:
Environmental activism, designing miniature F1 cars, robotics, research, community service, mentoring, playing the piano, photography, learning languages, card tricks, and kick-boxing.
Future Plans:
I want to become a physicist and be involved in unveiling mysteries in cosmology, high energy physics, and/or nuclear physics. Moreover, I desire to continue having an impact in my community by leading sustainability efforts.
Martins Gatavins
Latvia
Academic areas of interest:
I am currently interested in social neuroscience, multidisciplinary perspectives on human behavior and empathy (psychology, philosophy, anthropology, literature, neuroscience), mental health, and social networks and structures.
Activities and interests:
Watching artsy movies, observing art (sometimes also participating in the creative process), getting involved in community development, thrifting for the most quirky clothing one can find and exploring interesting areas of Philadelphia
Future Plans:
I hope to become a leading psychiatrist-scientist and integrate clinical perspectives, natural science, social sciences, and humanities as a means of developing better mental healthcare, organisational management, and perhaps even public and social policy.
Adam Hano
Slovakia
Academic Areas:
Physics, Computer Science, Politics
Activities and Interests:
Sailing Club, Entrepreneurship
Future Plans:
My future plans are to engage in innovative technology development. I would also like to become politically active.
Kathryn Lord
Jamaica
Academic areas of interest:
Business Economics and Public Policy (BEPP), Psychology, Finance, Political Science, French Studies, International Relations.
Activities and Interests:
Singing/songwriting, volunteering, reading on the beach, sports, trying different types of food and taking naps at the wrong times.
Future Plans:
After graduate school, I plan to return to my home country and spearhead a sort of evolution in the policy development structure, in order to reduce corruption and ensure economic growth. I also see myself experimenting with social entrepreneurship to contribute to my country’s economy in a more tangible way.
Sarah Musa
Sudan
Academic areas of interest:
I am currently majoring in Mechanical Engineering and I am interested in robotics, energy, finance and environmental sciences.
Activities and interests:
I enjoy playing tennis, swimming, reading, hanging out with friends, binge watching TV shows and traveling.
Future Plans:
I hope to help make a change in the world especially in Sudan and countries like Sudan.
Maksym Potlov
Ukraine
Academic areas of interest:
Nursing, Health Care Management, Public health, Psychology, Foreign languages.
Activities and Interests:
Tennis, Soccer, Travelling, Reading, Watching movies, Music, Wellness.
Future Plans:
In the future, I want to come back to Ukraine and make changes in the health care system.
Sauda Salim
Kenya
Academic areas of interest: I’m pursuing a career in mechanical engineering in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Having a love for innovation; a passion for physics and a desire to make a direct impact on the society around me, I’m very excited to pursue a degree that encompasses all my interests!
Personal interests and hobbies: During my free time I enjoy playing sports like tennis and swimming, and taking part in my church’s Praise and Worship Team.
Future plans: With the constant power shortages in my country, I’m excited to use my Penn Engineering education to make a difference in my home country, Zimbabwe, by enhancing the energy sector. Coming from a country where there are very few women in STEM, yet alone engineering, I also strive to be a role model and a source of inspiration to fellow Zimbabwean women aspiring to pursue this amazing field.
Pedro Javier Saltos Montenegro
Ecuador
Academic areas of interest:
Economics, Finance, Management, Computer Science, and Mathematics.
Activities and interests:
Learning from different perspectives, Community service, playing sports, taking pictures, playing the guitar, meeting new people, singing, tutoring, reading, traveling, debating, volunteering, social entrepreneurship, spending time with friends and family.
Future Plans:
Grow academically and personally until I can share my knowledge with the world directly and indirectly through entrepreneurship, social work, foundations, and projects. I hope that one day either from the private sector with a company, which generates decent and well-paid jobs or from the public sector, fighting and creating new transparent policies that favor general economic growth and reduce social inequality, make the world a better, fairer and more balanced place.
Amelia Sharpe
Zambia
Academic areas of interest:
Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Cognitive Science, Fine Arts, French Studies.
Activities and interests:
Robotics, photography, videography, editing, animation, design, cameras, entrepreneurship, playing tennis, swimming, board & card games, cartoons, movies, comic books, playing with animals, traveling.
Future Plans:
To use my passion to innovate at the intersection of engineering and art. To create STEM education programs to teach underprivileged children to be critical thinkers and innovators.
Ayana Shirai
Japan
Academic Areas of Interest:
Nursing, Public Health, Health Economics, Philosophy, Epidemiology, and many others
Activities and interests:
Reading, Watching Performing Arts (Especially Classical Music, Dance, Theatre), Brewing and Drinking Coffee
Future plans:
I do not like planning everything ahead for the unpredictable future. However, I would be happy if I could do anything aligned with my valuing health and its universality amongst all humans.
Lora Assi
Palestine
Academic areas of interest:
I am currently interested in biology, neurobiology, mechanisms of disease, chemistry, and Spanish.
Activities and interests:
I enjoy being involved in Model UN, debating, organizing conferences, playing basketball, spending quality time with my friends and family, and trying new foods (and caffeinated drinks!)
Future Plans:
In the future, I hope to become a world-renowned surgeon and help reform healthcare (both mental and physical) in Palestine and around the world.
Selene Bonczok Sotelo
Argentina
Academic areas of interest:
Political Science, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Sociology, Middle Eastern Studies, Latin American Politics, Philosophy
Activities and interests:
Model UN, Model Congress, Arabic, Debate, Volunteering, Writing, Photography, Cinema, Drama, Improvisation
Future plans:
I plan to pursue a career in Diplomacy or Politics.
Alice Cochrane
Zimbabwe
Academic areas of interest:
Architecture, Urban Studies, Writing
Activities and Interests:
I love swimming and am a part of the water polo team at Penn. I am also involved in the Christian Union and the Society for African Internationals at Penn.
Future plans:
To return one day to Zimbabwe and use whatever I study to be a part of the much-needed change in the country.
Aydin Imranov
Azerbaijan
Academic areas of interest:
Computer Science, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Finance, and Economics.
Activities and interests:
Soccer, digital design, research, reading, entrepreneurship, volunteering, mentoring and traveling.
Future plans:
I am planning to popularize the field of engineering, especially robotics, in Azerbaijan and other developing countries. My ultimate goal is to have a positive social impact, either through mentoring or founding a business.
Mija Jovchevska
Macedonia
Academic Areas:
I am studying Biochemistry and Biophysics as part of the Vagelos Program for Molecular Life Sciences.
Activities and Interests:
Besides the natural sciences, I’m also involved with the Penn Taekwondo Club, but would like to get involved with the Special Olympics Club as well.
Future plans:
After I graduate from Penn, I would like to go to graduate school, and then work as a scientist either in academia or industry.
Kamel Kamour
Libya/Morocco
Academic Areas:
Huntsman Program in Business and International Studies
Activities and Interests:
Tennis, water sports and philosophy of politics. On campus, I am currently involved with the Huntsman Student Advisory Board and with the Wharton Global Research and Consulting club. I also conduct research with the MBA Lauder Institute on petro-states revenue diversification.
Future Plans:
To lead a career in state financial institutions (sovereign wealth funds), to reclaim justice and legal order in Libya and elevate its international economic position.
Hussein Khambhalia
Tanzania
Areas of interest:
Computer engineering, computer science, energy, agriculture, and finance.
Activities and interests:
Playing sports (football, squash, tennis, ping pong , and badminton), travelling and adventure, watersports, fishing, etc.
Future plans:
I would like to go back to my country and develop new technologies to make life simpler for my fellow citizens. Agri-tech, fintech, and many more new technologies like blockchain can be implemented in Africa to make lives better.
Damian Krupa
Poland
Academic areas of interest:
Computer Science, Machine Learning, Cognitive Science (Artificial Intelligence, Psychology), Business/Entrepreneurship
Activities and interests:
Programming, creating products (i.e. games, self-development courses), entrepreneurship, leadership, teaching and mentorship, psychology/self-development, trading, chess, social deduction games.
Future plans:
I desire to be one of the main contributors to the development and commercialization of fully intelligent machines.
Lloyd Maodzeka
Zimbabwe
Academic areas of interest:
Computer Engineering, Nanotechnology, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Mathematics, Ancient History, Psychology, Musicology and Entrepreneurship.
Activities and interests:
Rugby, Chess, Robotics, 3D Simulation and Virtual Reality, Debate, Soccer, Camping, Ancient Art and History, Hiking and ‘making things’.
Future plans:
Major in Computer engineering and minor in Engineering Entrepreneurship. Invent, innovate and implement. Start a business with an engineering or more generally technology basis, then grow and develop it. My ultimate goal is to be happy and explore the world.
Gloria Mpundu
Rwanda
Academic areas of interest:
Health sciences and foreign languages.
Activities and interests:
Community service, tutoring, travelling, music, intercultural engagement.
Future plans:
I hope to work with NGO’s committed to improve global health care to serve underprivileged communities.
Emmanuel Murerwa
Zimbabwe
Academic areas of interests:
Computer Science, Chemistry, Accounting, Economics
Activities and interests:
Soccer, Music, Cricket, Entrepreneurship, Learning new things
Future plans:
I want to impact the world through my career.
Artem Palyanychko
Ukraine
Academic areas of interest:
Huntsman Program in Business and International Studies
Activities and interests:
In my free time, I enjoy having meaningful experiences. I am currently undergoing a teller internship at SFCU and participate in club activities such as Wharton Investment and Trading Group and Wharton Private Equity & Venture Capital club. I enjoy reading and exploring multi-disciplinary topics, playing sports with friends at Pottruck and going out.
Future plans:
I have always been keen to learn how things function and are built. Now that I’m exploring interests in a new academic setting, I’m figuring out how successful organizations and companies are built with the help of instruments like investing, to facilitate a construction of something big on my own.
Alejandro Scelfo
Paraguay
Academic areas of interest:
Politics, Economics, Philosophy, and International Relations
Activities and interests:
Music, Rugby, Art, Cooking, Physics, Rhetoric
Future plans:
I plan to be involved in international politics and economic development.
Thulo Serobe
South Africa
Academic Areas of Interest:
Finance and Computer Science
Activities and interests:
Forex trading, reading, creative writing, online courses, hanging out with friends, running, gym, finding “gem” restaurants in the most unexpected places.
Future plans:
I plan to be a tech entrepreneur with a truly global impact. I intend to try to solve some of the biggest problems faced by countries around the world using the great potential, scalability, and low barriers to entry that technology provides.
Emilia Soto Aguayo
Chile
Academic areas of interest:
Engineering, Computer Science, Environmental Science
Activities and interests:
Visual Arts, Graphics and Video Game Design
Future plans:
I hope to work for an international tech company that makes advances affordable for other countries, get a master’s degree, and innovate.
Mohamed Amine Soufaih
Morocco
Academic areas of interest:
Finance, CS, Systems Engineering and Data Science.
Activities and interests:
I am part of the Arab Student Society and the Society of African Internationals at Penn. I also enjoy swimming and going to the gym.
Future plans:
I am still exploring different career pathways in business, tech and entrepreneurship.
Misheel Soyol-Erdene
Mongolia
Academic areas of interest:
International Relations, Political Science, Economics and Communications
Activities and interests:
Art, drawing, doodling, designing, video-making, watching movies, debating, running, long walks, exploring, travelling, playing sports, learning different languages, trying out different kinds of food and napping.
Future plans:
I want to spend the next few years discovering more of myself and how I can contribute my capabilities and potential to help the world in general. More specifically, even though it’s not fully decided, I want to pursue a path in International Relations to eventually be able to strengthen global cooperation especially for developing countries.
Mariana Velasco
Mexico
Academic areas of interest:
business, economics, international studies, political science, public policy, philosophy, history, accounting, management, Russian studies, French studies.
Activities and interests:
learning foreign languages, traveling, watching movies, reading, getting coffee, writing, learning about globalization and World History, listening to podcasts, meeting new people.
Future plans:
I want to become an international leader and citizen, serve my country, and travel all around the world.
Farah Abdelrahim
Egypt
Degree and major area of study: Huntsman Program – BS in Economics from Wharton with concentrations in Finance and Management and BA in International Studies from the College with an International Studies major and a French minor
What do you love about Penn and/or Penn World Scholars? I love Penn for the incredible and extensive opportunities it has given me to pursue my various interests, both academic and extracurricular, surrounded by people who are as ambitious and high spirited as I am. Being part of Penn World Scholars has been an invaluable addition to my Penn experience, since it has connected me to a community of likeminded international students with similar experiences to myself but extremely diverse backgrounds and perspectives which has only added to an already excellent Penn experience.
What Penn groups, clubs, organizations were you involved in, and/or what achievements would you like to share? Director of Finance of the Wharton Undergraduate AgriBusiness Club; Treasurer of the Penn Egyptian Society; Deputy Director of Intercol (Penn’s intercollegiate Model UN team) within Penn’s International Affairs Association; Deputy Director of Special Events within Penn’s International Affairs Association; Campus Representative of Rent the Runway
What are your plans or aspirations for your time after Penn? I’m working in Investment Banking back home in Egypt while pursuing my passion for fashion design on the side
Tathagat Bhatia
India
Degree and major area of study: BA in Science, Technology and Society; Russian Studies minor
What Penn groups, clubs, organizations were you involved in, and/or what achievements would you like to share? (Campus Involvement) Radical South Asian Collective, Penn LGBT Center, Penn Language Center, Wolf Humanities Center, Center for the Advanced Study of India; (Achievement) Gates Cambridge Scholar
What are your plans or aspirations for your time after Penn? I will be starting my MPhil in History and Philosophy of Science and Medicine at the University of Cambridge in the fall [of 2021].
Beverlye Gedeon
Haiti
Academic areas of interest: Economics; Capital Markets; Business/ Entrepreneurship; Public Policy; Research; Mathematics; International Development
Activities and interests: Minority Advocacy; Women Empowerment; Caribbean, African & African-American Cultures; Foreign languages; Community Service
Future plans: I look forward to leveraging all my professional and personal experiences to return to my home country and work closely with the government to make the business environment more efficient. Hopefully, these contributions will boost economic growth.
Greis Kapexhiu
Albania
Academic areas of interest: Natural Sciences, Public Health, Economics, Business, Geopolitics, Foreign Languages.
Activities and interests: Entrepreneurship, volunteering, counseling, skiing, music, Russian literature.
Future plans: I aspire to dedicate my career to significantly improving the global healthcare system for all the citizens in this world. I believe that we all have the right to live a healthy and happy life with the people we love and I want to be that somebody who people will remember for being devoted to making the world a better place.
Meri Kavtelishvili
Georgia
Degree and Major Area of Study: BSE, Computer and Information Science
Activities and interests: Social activism, volunteering, research, entrepreneurship
Future plans: I plan to become a physicist, and along with doing research, I will devote my time and energy to empowering girls and women to pursue science fields.
Alexander Kempf
France
Degree and major area of study: Wharton B.S.E (Concentration: Management), SEAS B.A.S (Major: Computer Science)
What do you love about Penn and/or Penn World Scholars? PWS provided great (and fun!) opportunities to meet people with all kinds of different backgrounds from all around the world. While everyone’s background was different, all having initially been foreign to our place of study definitely provided for a shared bonding experience.
What are your plans or aspirations for your time after Penn? Funnily enough, I still haven’t managed to figure out what exactly it is that I want to do in life – and my interests are still rather similar to those I had while entering Penn, although perhaps a bit more concrete and diversified. In fact, most of my newer interests (especially in social sciences) have come from taking out-of-major courses at Penn, so I’d highly recommend exploring your options early on!
Daria Kulakova
Russia
Degree and major area of study: Cognitive Science
What do you love about Penn and/or Penn World Scholars? If there is one thing I like about Penn, it’s the people! I made a lot of friends here, and I was always fascinated by so many talented and ambitious students around me!
What Penn groups, clubs, organizations were you involved in, and/or what achievements would you like to share? Penn Russian Club; Wharton Undergraduate Media and Entertainment Professional Development; Wharton Global Research and Consulting Club
What are your plans or aspirations for your time after Penn? I plan to continue my education somewhere in Europe.
Yan Li
Ireland
Academic areas of interest: Electrical Engineering and Business Innovation (with considerable interest in Maths, Chemistry, Physics and Design)
Activities and interests: Tennis, running, violin, tinkering, Olympiad competitions, Model UN, organizing clubs/events, exploring, volunteering, and mentoring
Future plans: I have always been enthusiastic about entrepreneurship as well as environmental sustainability/renewability, cutting-edge tech, research, poverty reduction, and various other social concerns ” I aspire to one day create a start-up of my own, encompassing all of my passions and interests, to ultimately deliver a positive impact on society and the world at large.
Mohammad Oulabi
Syria
Degree and major area of study: BA in Logic Information and Computation
What do you love about Penn and/or Penn World Scholars? Being surrounded by some of the most talented and ambitious people has helped me grow in ways I could not have imagined. It was incredible to be part of one of the most diverse groups on campus. Through the Penn Word Scholars program, I’ve met friends from all around the world from the very start of my time at Penn.
What Penn groups, clubs, organizations were you involved in, and/or what achievements would you like to share? I served on the boards of Penn First, Penn Arab Student Society (PASS), and the International Student Advisory Board (ISAB). I was also the CEO of the Student Federal Credit Union (SFCU).
What are your plans or aspirations for your time after Penn? After graduation, I will be joining the fintech startup scene as a Product Manager. I hope to continue on the path of entrepreneurship and one day start my own company.
Cristina Pogorevici
Romania
Degree and major area of study: Business Analytics; Entrepreneurship & Innovation
What Penn groups, clubs, organizations were you involved in, and/or what achievements would you like to share? Wharton Council Co-Chair; Junior-Senior Advisory Board; Wharton Ambassador; Friars Senior Honor Society; Bell Senior Honor Society; Wharton India Entrepreneurship Fellow
What are your plans or aspirations for your time after Penn? I will be heading to Beijing, China for a year as part of the Schwarzman Scholar program. Afterwards, I will be joining Bain & Company as a Associate Consultant in NYC.
Hyacinthe Uwizera
Rwanda
Degree and major area of study: Bachelor of Science in Engineering – Computer Science
What do you love about Penn and/or Penn World Scholars? I love the community and resources PWS provided me with.
What Penn groups, clubs, organizations were you involved in, and/or what achievements would you like to share? I was in New Spirit of Penn gospel choir, Society for African Internationals at Penn, Benjamin Franklin Scholars, Christian Union, Penn Emerging Scholars Program. Some of the things I participated in are the Global Research and Internship program where I traveled to Australia, Penn Global Seminar where I traveled to South Africa, and a service-learning program to Argentina. I have also TA’d for an MCIT class.
What are your plans or aspirations for your time after Penn? Honestly, it’s not that clear to me what I want to do, when, and where. I feel like the life ahead is an open book with infinite pages so when I try to think of what I want to do for the rest of my life, no option would be sufficient enough for all those pages. I am working on just thinking about a few years ahead instead of the whole adulthood thing. For now, I have a software engineering job in San Diego.
Simisola Afolayan
Nigeria
What do you love about Penn and/or Penn World Scholars?
My favorite thing about PWS is ready the opportunity to meet and engage with peers from all over the world in social settings that feel safe and are at the same time lots of fun.
What Penn groups, clubs, organizations were you involved in, and/or what achievements would you like to share?
At Penn, I was also involved with the International Student Advisory Board, the Society of African Internationals at Penn and NSP (The New Spirit of Penn Gospel Choir)
What are your plans or aspirations for your time after Penn?
Doing work within the healthcare space (Healthcare consulting, management and global healthcare policy) over the course of my career.
Priya Bhirgoo
Mauritius
What do you love about Penn and/or Penn World Scholars?
Coming to Penn has broadened my horizons and I have loved being surrounded and inspired by amazing students with diverse interests and goals.
What Penn groups, clubs, organizations were you involved in, and/or what achievements would you like to share?
I have been involved in the Undergraduate Assembly as an Engineering Representative, in Alpha Omega Epsilon, a professional and social sorority for women in STEM, in the Rachleff Scholars Program as Vice-President of the Rachleff Scholars Society and in CBE Study Hall as a CBE Mentor and Tutor.
What are your plans or aspirations for your time after Penn?
Improve healthcare through research, set up my own research firm and contribute to the future development of my country.
Catalina Dragoi
Romania
Academic Areas of Interest: Politics, Philosophy, Economics, International Relations, Anthropology
Activities and interests: Debating (Mostly within the European Youth Parliament), traveling, writing, reading, listening to music, going to concerts, watching movies, taking photographs, and meeting new people.
Future Plans: Ideally, I would like to work in the UN or NATO, and contribute in one way or another to getting this world as close to universal peace as possible.
Jamaal Hay
Jamaica
What do you love about Penn and/or Penn World Scholars?
I love how Penn really allowed me to explore my interests. I came in having selected Biomedical Engineering and am leaving a Computer Science major. This wouldn’t have been possible without Penn’s flexible course requirements. Penn World Scholars really made an effort to bring together students from vastly different backgrounds which I will always appreciate.
What Penn groups, clubs, organizations were you involved in, and/or what achievements would you like to share?
I was a part of Club Golf, Quaker Finance Group, Penn Poker Club and Wharton Investments and Trading Group.
What are your plans or aspirations for your time after Penn?
After graduation I plan to spend a few years working at the Boston office of Microsoft. From there I may either try to delve into quatitative finance or pursue a PhD in Computer Science. No idea.
Santiago Herrera
El Salvador
What do you love about Penn and/or Penn World Scholars?
Penn is a unique, globally-oriented community. Students are really hard-working, dedicated, and smart. You get to learn something new everyday while you grow and become an improved version of yourself.
What Penn groups, clubs, organizations were you involved in, and/or what achievements would you like to share?
No matter the type and degree of involvement in Penn extracurricular activities, there is something for everyone. During my time at Penn, I had the opportunity to be part of Penn World Scholars, Greek Life, and pre-professional Clubs. My involvement in these groups allowed me to get a head start on figuring out my intellectual as well as professional aspirations while forming strong connections with incredibly talented individuals who are now friends.
What are your plans or aspirations for your time after Penn?
After Penn, I am going to be working as an investment banking analyst in New York City, NY. As I am interested in working in emerging markets, I would like to exercise a career where I contribute to the promotion of economic and human development in the most vulnerable regions of the world.
Sylvia Kimwei
Kenya
What do you love about Penn and/or Penn World Scholars?
The support senior year – OPT and Career Services.
What Penn groups, clubs, organizations were you involved in, and/or what achievements would you like to share?
Minority in Nursing, Christian Union at Penn
What are your plans or aspirations for your time after Penn?
To be a nurse and start a mental health hospital in Kenya.
Marko Lamza
Croatia
What do you love about Penn and/or Penn World Scholars?
I enjoy meeting ambitious, hard working people with virtuous intentions and great skills.
What Penn groups, clubs, organizations were you involved in, and/or what achievements would you like to share?
Wharton Undergraduate Real Estate Club, Dean’s List (2017, 2018, 2019)
What are your plans or aspirations for your time after Penn?
Pursue a career in innovation and impact investing.
Halil Memoglu
Turkey
Academic areas of interest: Computer Science, electrical engineering, business/entrepreneurship, computational linguistics, nanotechnology, mathematics, product design, artificial intelligence.
Activities and Interests: Basketball, soccer, reading, literature, entrepreneurship, global politics, linguistics, design, debate, visual art, fiction writing, programming, puzzles, and robotics.
Future Plans: For the most part, I am an inventor and a storyteller. In the future, I hope to go on being a better inventor and a better storyteller. I will explore what it takes to support and realize the dreams of a world.
Khizrah Naveed
Pakistan
Academic areas of interest: Chemistry and Mathematics
Activities and interests: Parliamentary debates and public speaking,
Future plans: Continuing public speaking at Penn and to join other student clubs.
Hai Nguyen
Vietnam
Academic areas of interest: Entrepreneurship, History, Finance
Activities and interests: Travelling to see what’s happening in the world with my real eyes and then writing about it, soccer, swimming, and starting small businesses.
Future plans: I want to keep traveling to explore current problems around the world, particularly the current immigration and education problems; by my own eyes. I also want to build a business of my own, a restaurant or food shop in particular. I also want to try a career in finance or management as well. Generally, I am very open to new things.
Abdullah Noaman
Iraq
What do you love about Penn and/or Penn World Scholars?
Penn is a community of passionate and ambitious people who want to change the world. Being at Penn for four years taught me so much and allowed me to grow in many ways.
What Penn groups, clubs, organizations were you involved in, and/or what achievements would you like to share?
I founded the Alif Bet Fellowship at Penn Hillel with a friend of mine. Alif Bet is an educational program of investigating similarities between Arabic and Hebrew in an inclusive space facilitating intercultural dialogue and collaboration.
What are your plans or aspirations for your time after Penn?
I hope to go to graduate school, eventually conduct my own research, and own many patents.
Arundhati Singh
India
What do you love about Penn and/or Penn World Scholars? What I love about Penn is that it did for me what I had always hoped an education would do: it allowed me to learn under some of the world’s foremost scholars and thinkers, and helped me discover how to live a life. And I met some cool people through PWS!
What are your plans or aspirations for your time after Penn? More philosophy, and more literature.
Adamseged Abebe
Ethiopia
Academic areas of interest: Biology, chemistry, African studies, politics, and medicine.
Activities and interests: Student government, Ethiopian/African dance, soccer, and community service
Future plans: To be a doctor, Ethiopian prime minister, fix social and economical problems, and improve the African educational system.
Muhammad Mustafa Amjad
Pakistan
Academic areas of interest: Economics, politics, and computer science.
Activities and interests: Parliamentary debates, Model United Nations, community service, entrepreneurship, and traveling.
Future plans: I would like to contribute to the socioeconomic development of Pakistan and make a career out of my interest in technology and entrepreneurship.
Rafael Castro
El Salvador
Academic areas of interest: Computer science, cognitive science, and entrepreneurship.
Activities and interests: I am interested in technology in general, debating, public speaking, programming, and running.
Future plans: I want to start my own tech company while at Penn or afterwards.
Yiyi Chen
China
Academic areas of interest: Health & societies, economics, language, and history.
Activities and interests: Traveling, learning about different cultures, reading, volunteering, and community service.
Future plans: For now I am thinking of pursuing a career in the healthcare industry. Regardless of which career path I choose, I hope to contribute to society in a positive way.
Paulina Destarac
Guatemala
Academic areas of interest: Physics/astrophysics, math, philosophy, and literature.
Activities and interests: I love dancing, hiking, reading, singing, photography, and volunteering.
Future plans: I plan to pursue a postgraduate degree in astrophysics and conduct my own research.
Andre Hamra
Brazil
Academic areas of interest: Management, entrepreneurship, finance, economics, social impact & responsibility, and philosophy.
Activities and interests: Business reading, volunteer work, social entrepreneurship, writing, tutoring, student government, and soccer.
Future plans: I want to be a world reference in the business area in which I choose to work, be it management, finance, or entrepreneurship. In the long run, I intend to be an important benefactor of Brazil with regards to improving the life quality of people, especially through education. Finally, I plan to leave a positive legacy for my country; generating succession, influencing people, and building something eternal.
Gary Li
Canada
Academic areas of interest: Economics, marketing, international studies, and politics.
Activities and interests: Swimming, singing, playing the clarinet, student government, volunteering in music therapy and music education, French studies, honing skills related to entrepreneurship, and of course, Netflix!
Future plans: Venturing in public policy or social enterprise, and exploring every continent across the globe.
Shadrack Lilan
Kenya
Academic areas of interest: Chemical / biomolecular engineering and economics.
Activities and interests: Soccer, field hockey, jogging, movies, hiking, random trips, community service, and cycling.
Future plans: To work across the globe. Once I have amassed enough skills, experience, and resources, I will return to my home country (Kenya) and try my best to bring some economic change to my nation.
Trang Luu
Vietnam
Academic areas of interest: English and theatre arts.
Activities and interests: Drama, community service, reading, writing, Western riding, tutoring, and Benjamin Franklin Scholars.
Future plans: I hope to pursue a career in academia or go into publishing.
Vanessa Makuvaro
Zimbabwe
Academic areas of interest: Computer engineering, communication systems, philosophy.
Activities and interests: Baking, tennis, outdoor obstacle courses, community service, debate, alternative and folk music.
Future plans: Software engineering, entrepreneurship, and the development of educational support technologies for Zimbabwe and similar countries.
Mia Mansour
France/Lebanon
Academic areas of interest: Mechanical engineering, applied mechanics, physics, business/economics, and criminology.
Activities and interests: Serving social justice and fully engaging in my community, painting (especially with oil), Choral Arts, swimming, Model United Nations and other debate opportunities, kayaking/mountaineering/hiking/biking and outdoor activities, student government, and creative writing.
Future plans: Engaging in space exploration and the aircraft industry (while continuing to draw, sing, and research physics), contributing to women’s leadership in science and technology, bridging the gap between socially and economically diverse groups.
Santiago Pereira
Uruguay
Academic areas of interest: Business, international relations, entrepreneurship, management, politics, and media.
Activities and interests: Entertainment (TV, movies, books), event organization, Model UN, musical theatre, and writing.
Future plans: I would eventually desire to manage my own business, but other professional interests are international politics, campaign management, and the entertainment, retail, and technological industries.
Andre Rappaccioli
Nicaragua
Academic areas of interest: Systems engineering, actuarial mathematics, computer science, and entrepreneurship.
Activities and Interests: Technology, debate, travel, entrepreneurship, social activism, politics, and student involvement.
Future plans: Create and manage a transitional consulting company that contributes to the social and economic development of Nicaragua. Eventually get involved in Nicaraguan politics.
Saku Rimali
Finland
Academic areas of interest: Engineering, physics, economics, and business.
Activities and interests: Running, sports, piano, music, hiking, traveling, and technology.
Future plans: To develop and commercialize cutting-edge technology fighting global issues.
Halima Said
Kenya
Academic areas of interest: Business and international studies.
Activities and interests: Swimming, reading, cooking, 1950’s jazz music, and community service.
Future plans: Start a socially responsible agribusiness which will empower the small-scale farmers of sub-Saharan Africa, and become the Secretary General of the United Nations.
Shane Shearman
Trinidad & Tobago
Academic areas of interest: Engineering, math, physics, history, and political science.
Activities and interests: Music, playing steel pan (national instrument), education, soccer, and karate.
Future plans: Education, scientific research, entrepreneurship, and magnanimity.
Elen Bianca Souza
Brazil
Academic areas of interest: Business, engineering, and language.
Activities and interests: Sports (particularly volleyball and soccer), community service, and traveling.
Future plans: Through social entrepreneurship, promote equality and improve people’s lives in Brazil and worldwide.
Sandra Urusaro
Rwanda
Academic areas of interest: Global health, Oncology, Medicine, Nursing, Research, Languages and culture, Health Leadership, Health administration.
Activities and interests: Working with the international community, volunteering or being hands on in clinical settings, reading, cooking, traveling, community service and leadership
Future plans: I am interested in being a clinicians in low-middle income settings, bridging the gap between leadership in healthcare and delivery of care to improve outcomes, translating skills learned to settings with very limited resources such as Rwanda. Regardless of where, I want to create a positive impact in healthcare.
Orhan Efe Yavuz
Turkey
Academic areas of interest: Physics, aerospace engineering, astrophysics, math, quantum physics, and computer science.
Activities and interests: Co-founder at a youth astronomy society in Turkey, stargazing, professional astronomy observation research, snooker, robotics, computational physics.
Future plans: Working as a rocket scientist/aerospace engineer at a space exploration company/organization to make mankind a multi planetary species. Start a research institute for astrophysics, robotics, and synthetic biology.
PWS News & Community
April 2024
Penn World Scholars participate in the Philadelphia Love Run
Penn World Scholars Valeria Germanova (C’ 24) and Anh Ngo (C’ 24) participated in the Philadelphia Love Run. This annual half marathon, with a distance of 13.1 miles (21.1 kilometers), draws participants from all corners of the globe, offering a challenging yet scenic route through the heart of the city. Valeria and Anh both completed the half marathon race under 2.5 hours.
January 2024
Penn World Scholar joins the Kleinman Center Undergraduate Seminar Fellowship Program
Penn World Scholar Thu Nguyen (C’ 26) was admitted to the Kleinman Center student fellowship program and climate and energy policy seminar series. This selective program provides students various insights in the field including the opportunity to meet and hear from energy researchers.
November 2023
Penn World Scholar receives a Gold medal for J.Live Talk
Penn World Scholar Carolina Yuka Nakada (PWS’24) was awarded a Gold medal in J.Live Talk 2023, a college-level Japanese language presentation competition that emphasizes a comprehensive range of learned communication skills. Her presentation was titled, “The Other Side of the World”『世界の反対側』.
November 2023
Penn World Scholar participates in a course that helps uplift the West Philadelphia community
Penn World Scholar Siobhan Halm-Quagrainie (C’ 26) took part in a new Wharton Academically Based Community Service (ABCS) course, in which students perform tax services for the West Philadelphia community. She shares how she found the class to be a good opportunity for her to explore Philadelphia and learn from volunteers who have been working at VITA for decades.
December 2022
Penn World Scholar participates in the Women’s Forum for the Economy and Society Conference
Penn World Scholar Alejandra Soria Andrade (PWS’25) traveled to Paris to participate in the Women’s Forum for the Economy and Society and represented her home country Ecuador. She shares how this experience enabled her to actively participate in initiatives with significant potential for the development of women in society.
April 2021
Penn World Scholar named a 2021 Gates Cambridge Scholar
Congratulations to Tathagat Bhatia (PWS’21, C’21) on being awarded a Gates Cambridge Scholarship to pursue a master’s degree in history and philosophy of science at the University of Cambridge in England!
December 2020
Penn World Scholar receives 2021 Schwarzman Scholarship
Penn World Scholar Cristina Pogorevici (PWS’21, W’21) was named as one of four 2021 Schwarzman Scholars to pursue a one-year master’s degree in global affairs at Tsinghua University in Beijing. As a Schwarzman Scholar, she says she hopes to learn to drive socioeconomic development by leveling global access to entrepreneurship.
December 2020
Penn World Scholar receives a Forbes 30 under 30 title
Congratulations to Ondřej Gonzor (PWS’25, C’25) for being nominated as one of the figures for Czech Forbes 30 under 30 in 2020. With two other classmates, he invented Pochopim.to, an application for students to anonymously evaluate their teachers at the end of the lesson and provide feedback.
August 2020
Penn World Scholar brings green, healing spaces to the streets of West Philadelphia
During Summer 2020, Penn World Scholar Alice Cochrane (C’ 22) from Harare, Zimbabwe helped design an “urban oasis” at the One Art community center in West Philadelphia. “I think it’s architecture’s responsibility to create gathering spaces that are responsible, safe, and that allow us to have human interaction,” says Alice.
December 2018
A Global Rhodes for Penn
Congratulations to Penn World Scholar Class of 2019, Adam Abebe from Ethiopia, for receiving an inaugural Global Rhodes Scholarship for graduate study at the University of Oxford!