Our Recipients
Aadit Noble
India
Business Administration: Finance and Info Systems & Business Analytics
Involvement: Hamel Scholar, Paul Scholar, IESS, Entrepreneurship Club, Alpha Kappa
Psi, Desi Student Association (DSA)
I am originally from Kerala, India, and moved to the United States when I was in elementary school. Since then, I’ve lived in both Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and Coppell, Texas. At UNH, I’m involved in several organizations with a focus on business, while also pursuing my passion for community service through my nonprofit, B3 Youth Clinic. I enjoy exploring new opportunities, meeting new people, and finding ways to make a difference. I hope to continue making a meaningful impact at UNH through IESS
Abdulrahman Alqarni
Saudi Arabia
Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology
Involvement: During Spring 2026, I served as a student senator representing the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture (COLSA) at UNH. I also conduct undergraduate research in Professor Paul Tsang's laboratory and have participated in campus and community service through the American Cancer Society, Waysmeet Center, Cornucopia Food Pantry, and Wildcat Welcome Crew. Outside academics, I enjoy traveling, horse riding, motorcycling, and photography. I especially enjoy meeting people from different backgrounds, learning from their experiences, and helping foster connections across cultures.
I am an international student from Saudi Arabia studying Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of New Hampshire. After several years working in the aviation industry, I returned to education to pursue my passion for science, biomedical research, and medicine, with the long-term goal of becoming a physician-scientist. I enjoy connecting with people from different backgrounds, exchanging cultural perspectives, and contributing to a welcoming and supportive community.
Adam Vinh
Canada
Business Administration: Info Systems & Business Analytics
Involvement: I am currently attending and participating in the Econ Club every week, and actively find time with other fellow passionate students in the UNH Gaming Club, as well as the MUB Game room.
As a half Vietnamese, half Italian student born and raised in Quebec, Canada, I have always been surrounded by diverse cultures and perspectives. This passion for cultural connection inspired me to attend the University of New Hampshire as a freshman, where I am exploring my interest in Entertainment Business Management and the many
ways media and entertainment bring people together. Before coming to UNH, I served on my high school Student Council Committee and multilingual club, where I developed leadership, teamwork, event-planning and communication skills. My goal is to learn from and absorb as many cultures as possible while sharing my own experiences and heritage with others. I believe that meaningful connections are built through curiosity, openness, and a willingness to celebrate both our differences and common ground.
Alonso Michaud
Peru
Mechanical Engineering
Involvement: UNH Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS), MOSAICO, The American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Archery Club, and the Advanced Manufacturing Cohort at Innovation Scholars.
I am an International Student from Lima, Perú. I am currently studying Mechanical Engineering and have intentions in pursuing a minor in Electrical and Computer engineering in the hopes of dedicating myself to the field of either Aerospace Engineering or Medical Robotics in the future.
Amna Zeeshan
Pakistan
Undeclared CEPS
Involvement: Research Assistantship - CRHC, Ideas and Innovation Society, Changemaker Fellowship, IESS, Honors College, Innovation Scholars.
I’m from Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, and I’m the first woman in my family to pursue higher education abroad. At UNH, I’m conducting research on snow hydrology with Dr. Jennifer Jacobs and working on ocean engineering research with Dr. Matthew Florence through the Innovation Scholars Program. Alongside my academics, I stay actively involved on campus through international and sustainability-focused initiatives.
I love sharing stories about Pakistan and my culture, and I enjoy connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. A little fun fact about me—I’m happiest when I’m either at the beach or hiking. I have also been deeply involved in volunteering and community initiatives throughout
high school. IESS has made my journey at UNH possible, and I plan to make use of it in the best way possible
Bahauddin Chishte
Bangladesh
Computer Science
Involvement: UNH InterOperability Laboratory (IOL) Open Source Cloud & Networking Team, Idea and
Innovation Society, Changemaker Fellowship, Entrepreneurship Center (ECenter), UNH Club Tennis and
IESS.
Bahauddin Chishte (Baha) is from Bangladesh. He is a first-generation college student majoring Computer Science with a minor in Entrepreneurship. He is passionate about working with teams to build technology that makes a tangible impact on society. Through his social initiatives, he helps underserved communities with better resources, knowledge, and economic opportunities. Baha is also passionate about building things, solving problems, and collaborating on new ideas.
Outside of academics, he enjoys playing tennis, learning new things, and listening to music. He is always open to connecting with like-minded people and anyone interested in innovation, personal development, and community impact. As an IESS recipient, he looks forward to sharing his culture while working toward a more inclusive world and paying it forward
Claire Thorne
Canada
Chemical Engineering with Bioengineering
Involvement: UNH Swim and Dive, Honors College, Women in Engineering, American Institute of Chemical Engineers, IESS
I am from King, Ontario in Canada which is near Toronto and I’m thrilled to be here at UNH thanks to IESS! I’m passionate about all things in STEAM and using it as an output for my creativity. When I’m not studying or in the pool training, you can find me doing something crafty like crochet or painting. I’m always thrilled to talk about anything from Canada, even if it’s just my favorite snacks! Growing up near a big city I was able to experience a diverse range of cultures and traditions and thanks to my swimming was able to travel to many provinces – its safe to say they’re all what make Canada such an amazing place
Edo van Eijden
Netherlands
Sports Management and Leadership
Involvement: Volunteer coach for the UNH Field Hockey team, Intramural Soccer and Volleyball, IESS
I am originally from Laren, in the Netherlands, however at the age of 7 I moved to Jersey, UK. I have followed in my mums' footsteps of going to UNH to pursue my passion for sport. I am trying to get involved in as much of what UNH has to offer. With my goals consisting of learning a lot from being part of the Field Hockey set up here at UNH and explore as much as I can of this new culture by putting myself out there. I also passionately follow Soccer, especially my team in the Netherlands, Ajax.
George Andre
Ghana
Electrical Engineering
Involvement: I’m currently in the IESS, Changemaker Fellowship, Idea and Innovation Society, African Student Association and Intramural Soccer. I also play the piano and watch a lot of soccer in my free time.
Biography: I am from Sekondi-Takoradi, in Ghana. I’m very grateful to UNH for giving me this opportunity to study here as I can represent my country and my continent Africa on the global stage. As I participate in IESS, I aim to share the vibrant culture of Ghana and Africa while embracing and celebrating the diverse cultures here. I’m willing to learn a lot and work hard in hopes of achieving a lot during my time here at UNH and in the future.
Mishel Aronzon
Kazakhstan
Program and Event Management
Involvement: IESS
Throughout her high school career, Mishel has been deeply involved in organizing events, participating in theater and music-related activities, and volunteering. She managed to combine all of these passions by choosing to major in Program and Event Management. Her goal is to elevate the entertainment industry in her country to new heights and, in turn, serve society. Considering her interests, for IESS presentations, Mishel would like to explore the field of entertainment in Kazakhstan, starting with traditional celebrations and customs and progressing to more modern events. Additionally, she can provide insights on education in Kazakhstan and even offer a comparison to the USA, as she has firsthand experience in both systems.
Pratham Sarker
Bangladesh
Computer Science
Involvement: In the Desi Students' Association (DSA), I am the Creative Media Designer where I manage all creative assets like social media layouts and print materials to ensure a cohesive and vibrant aesthetic for the organization’s cultural initiatives. In the Bangladeshi Students' Association (BSA), I am Vice President of Communications where I am in charge of the organization’s internal and external communication strategies and will act as the primary liaison between the executive board, the student body, and external partners.
My journey from Bangladesh to the University of New Hampshire is a reflection of my belief in learning beyond borders and connecting with different cultures. I want to share my stories, listen to others, and celebrate both our differences and shared humanity. I hope to be someone who learns and helps to create a more understanding and united world.
Ryad Ouhhabi
Morocco
Physics and Astronomy
Involvement: I'm currently the president and founder of the UNH Astronomy Club and a volunteer staff member at the UNH observatory where I operate telescopes and communicate science to the public that comes there. I have also been tutoring middle schoolers in Math and English at the UNH Community Literacy Center as a campus job. I'm also in the Innovation Scholars program, and the Honors College. A goal for this year is to do some archery and eventually I want to learn piano.
Receiving the IESS scholarship was a pivotal moment in Ryad Ouhhabi's academic journey, as it allowed him to pursue his dream of studying physics and astronomy abroad and be a cultural representative of Morocco and its identity on a global level. Guided by a passion for the unknown, Ryad sailed across the skies towards UNH, where he made many friends from all over the world and immersed himself in the world of physics and astronomy as he always wished.
Shuvam Kandel
Nepal
Electrical Engineering
Involvement: Innovation scholars, Intramural Soccer, Nepali Students' Association
I'm from Kathmandu, Nepal. On campus, I'm involved in the advanced manufacturing cohort of the innovation scholars program where we learn about and research modern manufacturing technologies. I stay connected to Nepal by attending the NSA's events regularly, which makes me feel closer to home.
I explored my passion for understanding how modern machines work through robotics in high school and I really enjoyed it. This led me to choose electrical engineering as my major.
I'm very grateful for receiving the International Engagement & Service Scholarship and for the people who have supported me on my journey to make my dream of studying in the U.S. a reality.
At UNH, I hope to grow both academically and personally while sharing a little piece of Nepal with the people I meet.
Sibra Naveed
Pakistan
Neuroscience and Behavior
Involvement: Visual Perception Research Assistant – Dr. William Stine’s Lab; Soil Biome Research Assistant – Grandy Lab; Community Literacy Center; Admissions Access Ambassador; NAMI; American Cancer Society; Global Medical Brigades; IESS.
Born and raised in Islamabad, Pakistan, I am a Neuroscience major at the University of New Hampshire on the pre-medical track. My academic interests center on understanding the brain, human health, and the biological systems that shape our lives. At UNH, I contribute to visual perception research in Dr. William Stine’s lab and serve as a research assistant in the Grandy Lab, where I investigate soil biomes and their ecological significance.
Beyond academics and research, I am passionate about giving back to my community and making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. I am involved with the Community Literacy Center, the American Cancer Society, and Global Medical Brigades, where I hope to support initiatives that promote education, health, and well-being. I deeply value cultural exchange and enjoy contributing to UNH’s multicultural community by sharing my own experiences while learning from the perspectives and traditions of others. I believe that engaging with people from diverse backgrounds broadens our understanding of the world and fosters empathy, collaboration, and a stronger sense of belonging.
Sophia Belucci
Brazil
Nutrition
Involvement: IESS.
I am Sophia Belucci! I’m from Campinas, a city located in São Paulo, Brazil, and I am currently majoring in nutrition. I am a Freshman and it's my first time in the US so I am still integrating myself into the culture of the US and also I am very interested in traveling to other cities and states, the one I am most excited to go to is New York City! Currently I'm focusing on my studies during the first semester but after completing that I plan on joining clubs such as the outing club and the dance club. I hope to become a nutritionist in Brazil after I graduate and maybe work with sports nutrition throughout my career. Studying at a university in
another country has always been my dream, and IESS made it possible to pursue my education at UNH
Sophie Lorenscheit
Germany
Philosophy & Justice Studies
Involvement: Resident Assistant, Ethics Bowl, Rines Angel Fund, German Club, Honor’s College
I come from Münster, Germany, where I grew up with three brothers and the dream to go to the US for College. I am very grateful that the International Engagements & Service Scholarship has made this possible for me. Being in UNH allows me to pursue my passion for equality, philosophy and advocacy to eventually become a human rights attorney and help people all around the world.
During Highschool, I have engaged in promoting community, anti-discrimination and cultural responsibility through organizing events and serving as student body president; here, I aspire to take on more leadership roles and embrace my culture. That’s one of the reasons I became part of the German Club, where I can support students in improving their language skills and answer their questions about my country.
Sujosh Nag
Bangladesh
Computer Science & IT
Involvement: Idea & Innovation Society
Sujosh is from the vibrant Dhaka city, Bangladesh, and is now embarking on a transformative voyage to the United States. Fueled by an unwavering passion for Mathematics, International Relations, and the ever-evolving realm of technology, Sujosh's drive is to ignite the flames of positive change within communities, foster innovation, and make a lasting impact. For an IESS presentation, Sujosh would be interested in the following topics: 1) Microfinance in Bangladesh: Transforming Lives and Alleviating Poverty, 2) Bangladesh's Garment Industry: From Labor Force to Global Fashion Hub, 3) The Rise of Quantum Computing: A New Frontier in Computing Power.
Tianyi Duan
China
Biology
Involvement: Juggling Club, UNH Concert Choir, Campus Living Association (through Hall Council)
Tianyi is a freshman at UNH originating from Beijing, China. In eighth grade, she came to the U.S. and studied at High Mowing School in Wilton, New Hampshire. It was a small private Waldorf school (an educational system originating from Germany, which she is happy to do a presentation on) with about 150 students. Despite its size, the school had a diverse student body, with students from 20-30 different countries. Tianyi is ¼ ethnically Mongolian and has had classmates/friends that belong to minority nationalities in China. She might be able to offer some insight on the experience of ethnic minorities in China based on her own experiences. She is also happy to talk about her own experiences, whether that's traveling to different parts of China or her life here in the U.S.
Youssef Ahmed
Egypt
Computer Science
Involvement: Innovation Scholars Program; Idea & Innovation Society; Muslim Student Association (MSA); Memorial Union Building (MUB) Operations & Events; Egyptian Red Crescent; Resala Charity Organization.
I'm Youssef Ahmed, a first-year Computer Science student at the University of New Hampshire, originally from Egypt, where I was born, and having spent a significant part of my childhood growing up in Saudi Arabia. Growing up between these two countries has shaped my multicultural identity, deepened my appreciation for different perspectives, and sparked my passion for history, geopolitics, and understanding the world around us. Alongside my academic interests in artificial intelligence and technology, I enjoy exploring different cultures, engaging in meaningful discussions, and building connections with people from diverse backgrounds.
