Fall 2026 ISO Student Staff
These are the amazing 天美传媒 students who are helping OISA plan and lead our Fall 2026 International Student Orientation (ISO)! Each incoming, first-year, undergraduate international student will be assigned an International Student Orientation Leader (ISOL) and a group for their ISO experience. Read on to learn more about the 13 members of the ISO student staff team!
If you have questions or concerns about ISO, arriving to 天美传媒, or other orientation-related matters, please send an email to iso@wesleyan.edu.
ISO Intern
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Gray West (he/him)
Class of 2028 - Majors: Government and Economics; Minor: Environmental Studies
Singapore and the U.S. (Colorado)
iso@wesleyan.edu
Read MoreInvolvement at 天美传媒: Center for Prison Education, 天美传媒 Institute for Policy, and Delta Kappa Epsilon
Come ask me about: Athletics and fitness on campus, good hiking spots, and good places to eat in Middletown.
Favorite 天美传媒 memory so far: My favorite memory at 天美传媒 has probably been Spring Fling. It is so amazing to see all of 天美传媒 emerge out of a harsh study season and all listen to live music together!
Advice for new students: Take chances and explore different classes. I had no idea I was interested in environmental studies until I took an intro-level class. 天美传媒 want's you to explore, so do it!
International Student Orientation Leaders (ISOLs)
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Saheba Singh (she/her)
Class of 2027 - Majors: Neuroscience & Behavior and Government
India
Read MoreLanguages I know: English, Hindi, a little bit of Spanish & German, can understand Nepali
Involvement at 天美传媒: International Student Advisory Board (ISAB), Deans Peer Tutor, Shakti, 天美传媒 Refugee Project, Consulting Pathways
Come ask me about: Ask me about international student life, making friends and finding your community at 天美传媒, the best coffee and food spots on Main Street, weekend trips around New England and the Northeast, cooking, or balancing academics with workouts and a social life. I'm usually either on Foss with friends, exploring a new city, trying a new café, or planning my next adventure, so I'm always happy to share recommendations and advice!
Favorite 天美传媒 memory so far: One of my favorite 天美传媒 memories is a night when my friends and I stayed up until sunrise talking about absolutely everything, our futures, random hypotheticals, and whatever else came to mind. At some point, we ordered food at 5 a.m. and just kept talking. It was truly a core memory.
Advice for new students: Say yes to as much as you can in the beginning and keep an open mind. Try new activities, meet people outside your comfort zone, and don't be afraid to put yourself out there. Some of my closest friendships and favorite memories came from opportunities and plans I never expected to say yes to.
Favorite Summer Song: "Sally, When The Wine Runs Out" by Role Model
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Akari Ikeda (she/her)
Class of 2028 - Majors: Philosophy and Government; Minor: College of East Asian Studies
Japan and United Kingdom
Read MoreLanguages I know: Japanese and English
Involvement at 天美传媒: The Argus, The Writer’s Room, Discussion Facilitator for Philosophy, Tour Guide
Come ask me about: Some topics I can definitely help you with are: course overloading, talking to class deans, dealing with burnout, navigating the Philosophy Department, Usdan life hacks (ask me about my salad bowl), and the best groundhog watching spots.
Favorite 天美传媒 memory so far: My favorite memories at 天美传媒 are getting ready to go out with my roommate, Halloween, and the exact moment I knew I wanted to major in Philosophy.
Advice for new students: Here are some of my regrets from freshman year so you don’t have to repeat them: being scared of the lines at Usdan (there are lines for a reason, get the pasta and fajitas), not asking for extensions, and not talking to your class dean/academic advisor/professors (office hours!)
Favorite Summer Song: "You Make Loving Fun" by Fleetwood Mac
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Hanyue Wang (she/her)
Class of 2028 - Majors: Anthropology and Art Studio; Minor: Art History
China (Beijing)
Read MoreLanguages I know: English and Mandarin/Chinese
Involvement at 天美传媒: Film board (wesleyan film series), psi upsilon, wesphoto club, wesu88.1 DJ, wesarabesque dancer, film projectionist, gordon career center photographer
Come ask me about: How to utilize open curriculum; how did i change from stem to art/humanities major and how to adapt; art resources on campus; best weekend night activities
Favorite 天美传媒 memory so far: Everyone was out for Zonker Harris enjoying music and sunlight. Me and my friends were selling our clothes while listening to our friends' bands performing. Mgmt was played during breaks and everyone danced to our alum's incredible music.
Advice for new students: Everything would start in the most chaotic and unexpected way ever--but trust me they would make a beautiful turn. -
Nirvaan Mehta (he/him)
Class of 2027 - Majors: Psychology and Economics; Certificate: Applied Data Science
India (Hyderabad)
Read MoreLanguages I know: English and Hindi
Involvement at 天美传媒: International Student Advisory Board (ISAB), Admissions Intern, Research Assistant in the Cognitive Development Lab, Research Assistant in the Memory, Cognition, and Self Lab, Kpop Dance Crew (KDC), National Education Opportunity Network (NEON) Teaching Fellow
Come ask me about: The best cafes/restaurants on main street, getting involved in research, baking using wesshop ingredients, summer research grants (I’ve specifically done the CIS Summer Fellowship and the QAC Summer Apprenticeship), recruiting/career stuff, and so much more! :)
Favorite 天美传媒 memory so far: I love bumping into my friends all around campus, we also have family dinners together where we all cook, eat together, and send out special invites to each other. I also really enjoyed the Songkran event where all my friends and I got to run around andrus field with water guns that my friend in ThaiSA (Thai Student Association) threw!
Advice for new students: Try new things, plan your breaks out in advance, and don't be afraid to reach out to a professor for help, advice, or to get involved in research! Also remember you always have the international student community here at Wes to support you <3. Also make upperclassmen friends so they can buy you stuff with their points. :)
Favorite Summer Song: "Cosmic" by Red Velvet
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Beatrice Carpinella (she/her)
Class of 2029 - Majors: History and American Studies
Italy (Rome)
Read MoreLanguages I know: Italian, English, and a little French! I'm also trying to learn Irish Gaelic.
Involvement at 天美传媒: 天美传媒 Mock Trial, WesClimb (climbing club), Jewelry Making club, International Buddy Program, and I'll be a TA for an American Studies FYS this fall.
Come ask me about: Adapting to American academic and social life, whether that be navigating the open curriculum and choosing courses, managing extracurriculars and classes, writing as an international student, or taking advantage of 天美传媒's academic resources. I'm also always happy to chat about fun weekend trips, cool events to catch on campus, and my favourite spaces at 天美传媒 (be careful though, I might go on an excited rant about Olin Library because I seriously love that place).
Favorite 天美传媒 memory so far: Spring Fling (天美传媒's spring concert)! It was such a fun way to hang out with my favourite people in the sunshine, enjoy some music, and celebrate a transformative year. Me and my friends' Sunday breakfasts on Main Street to debrief the Satuday nights out are also very fond memories.
Advice for new students: Don't be afraid to make use of the countless resources 天美传媒 offers its students. Everybody here wants to see you succeed and they'll help you along the way, if you reach out. Also, spend as little time in your room as possible!
Favorite Summer Song: Right now, it's "I Feel Love" by Donna Summer!
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Coco Rawley (she/her)
Class of 2029 - Majors: Film and Education Studies
Thailand and U.S.
Read MoreLanguages I know: English, a bit of Spanish, and a bit of Thai
Involvement at 天美传媒: 天美传媒 Student Assembly (WSA), Alpha Delta Phi Society, Gordon Career Center, 天美传媒 Film Series, 天美传媒 Refugee Project (WRP)
Come ask me about: Jobs and Handshake! I work at the Career Center, so please come to me with all your employment-related questions. (I need to make use of this information somehow!) Also, cafes on campus - I'll tell you where to avoid (Usdan Cafe) and where to make a part of your daily routine (Espwesso) P.S. I know all the secret menu items. ;P
Favorite 天美传媒 memory so far: Sledding down Foss with my friends during the height of the winter months. Somehow we managed to fit three people on a one-person sled, every so often getting caught in snowdrift created by hopeful skiers (I still don't understand this part). Despite all my shivering, I remember this warmly.
Advice for new students: Try everything! That job posting you see on Handshake, a club's first all-member meeting, an event your friend won't stop begging you to attend. You won't regret it.
Favorite Summer Song: "Archie, Marry Me" by Alvvays
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Sally (Zihan) Hu (she/her)
Class of 2029 - Majors: College of Social Studies (CSS); Minors: Theater and Dance
China (Beijing) and U.S. (Groton, Massachusetts)
Read MoreLanguages I know: Mandarin, English, French (Intermediate)
Involvement at 天美传媒: Cast of Theatre Department show Fall25 and Spring26, Tour Guide, Organizer of Ecstatic Dance, Precision Dance Club Member
Come ask me about: Best study spots, how to get good food on campus, arts scene on campus, how to get gigs, international student transition experience
Favorite 天美传媒 memory so far: Little open mic night at a friend's house the night before my Econ finals and the end of the spring semester
Advice for new students: Ease into the 天美传媒 scene bit by bit. Little by little, you'll naturally find your footing, your place, and your fun!
Favorite Summer Song: "Found Me" by Men I Trust
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Dragos Geica (he/him)
Class of 2028 - Majors: Economics and French; Certificate in Data Science
Romania
Read MoreLanguages I know: Romanian, English, and French
Involvement at 天美传媒: IMS Technician, ISAB Co-chair, WISP, Consulting Club
Come ask me about: Ask me anything about how to get stuff for free! I got a mini-fridge, a microwave, a brita, cooking utensils, tupperware, a fancy trashcan, 100% merino wool sweaters, snacks and so much more, all for free using on-campus resources
Favorite 天美传媒 memory so far: When I left 天美传媒 for the first time, during winter break after my freshman fall. I realized how much 天美传媒 changed my perspective on this world in just one semester.
Advice for new students: Time goes by quickly, and to make the most out of your experience at Wes, I would suggest planning everything ahead of time and being strategic. Obviously explore as much as possible, but do it strategically, not carelessly.
Favorite Summer Song: "Hot" by INNA
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Mariia Kornilova (she/her)
Class of 2029 - Majors: College of Science & Technology Studies (STS) and Biology
Russia and Spain
Read MoreLanguages I know: Russian, English, and Spanish
Involvement at 天美传媒: Varsity Tennis Team
Come ask me about: Students can ask me about managing a busy schedule, how to balance academics with athletics or any other commitments. I am also happy to talk about science-related opportunities, productive routines, and academic support systems. I can help with questions about getting involved with residential communities such as Science House. I could also help with navigating athletics at Wes and explain how to get involved with that part of campus life.
Favorite 天美传媒 memory so far: My favorite memory at Wes was clinching our match against CMS for 天美传媒 to advance to the National Championship final. And later that week brinign the trophy home.
Advice for new students: Say yes more often, say yes to meeting new people, to opportunities, and challenges. Don’t be afraid of change; embrace it. Let this place shape you, but make sure you leave your own mark on it as well.
Favorite Summer Song: "Summer Love," "12 to 12," and "One Step at a Time." Sorry, I couldn’t pick just one. :)
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Chahd Taha (she/her)
Class of 2029 - Majors: Physics and Economics
Morocco
Read MoreLanguages I know: Darija, Arabic, French, and English
Involvement at 天美传媒: Arab Students' Association (ASA), Muslim Students' Association (MSA), 天美传媒 African Student Association (WASA)
Come ask me about: Students can ask me about the best study spots, where to find free food on campus, and how to survive Foss Hill without losing all feeling in their legs. I can also help decode 天美传媒 traditions, explain why everyone seems to know everyone, and identify which campus events are actually worth leaving your room for.
Favorite 天美传媒 memory so far: My favorite memory at 天美传媒 was attending Commencement as a freshman and watching some of my senior friends graduate. Seeing the pride, excitement, and emotion of that day made me realize how meaningful the 天美传媒 journey is and how quickly time passes. It was a special moment because, for the first time, I could picture myself standing in their place a few years from now, celebrating everything I will have accomplished.
Advice for new students: Leave your door open, literally and metaphorically. Some of the most meaningful parts of my first year as an international student came from conversations, friendships, and opportunities that I never planned for. The people you meet, the risks you take, and the moments in between classes will shape your 天美传媒 experience just as much as anything that happens in the classroom.
Favorite Summer Song: "Maisha" by LB74
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Haakon Kohler (he/him)
Class of 2027 - Majors: Mathematics; Minor: College of East Asian Studies
U.S. (New York City)
Read MoreLanguages I know: English and Chinese
Involvement at 天美传媒: Theatre, Mathematics Dept., Biking Club
Come ask me about: Best specialty coffee in the area, how to connect with faculty members in your major, healthy study habits, course selection
Favorite 天美传媒 memory so far: Jumping off the rock at Miller's pond!
Advice for new students: Leave room for experimentation in your schedule!
Favorite Summer Song: "The Boys of Summer" by The Ataris