WMU International Grads, we are so proud of you. Thank you for sharing your stories.
Introducing 2026 WMU International Grads
Name: Patience
Home Country: Ghana
Area of Study: Fashion Merchandising and Design, College of Education and Human Development
What do you want to do next?
I plan to pursue my PhD to deepen my knowledge and contribute to research in my field. My time at WMU has prepared me well through rigorous academic training, research opportunities and practical experiences that have strengthened my critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
The supportive faculty and diverse learning environment have also helped me build confidence and independence, which I believe will be essential for my future academic and career goals.
What was the best part about your time at WMU?
The best part of my time at WMU was the opportunity to grow both academically and personally while interacting with people from diverse backgrounds. I truly appreciated the supportive learning environment and the relationships I built with my professors.
One memory that will stay with me forever is completing my program and seeing all my hard work pay off, it was a proud and fulfilling moment that reminded me of how far I’ve come.
Name: Vanshika
Home Country: India
Area of Study: Exercise Science, College of Education and Human Development
What do you want to do next?
My next goal is to become a licensed physical therapist (PT). Currently, I am a licensed PT assistant, and I plan to prepare for my licensing exam to transition into a full PT role. Advancing from a PTA to a PT will allow me to take on greater responsibility in patient evaluation, treatment planning, and long-term care management.
My experience at Western Michigan University has played a crucial role in preparing me for this path. WMU provided me with a strong academic foundation in rehabilitation sciences, along with hands-on clinical experiences that strengthened my practical skills. The program also helped me develop critical thinking, patient communication, and evidence-based practice skills, which are essential for becoming a successful physical therapist.
Moving forward, I am focused on continuing my education, successfully passing my PT licensure exam, and growing professionally so I can provide the highest quality care to my patients.
What was the best part about your time at WMU?
The best part about my time at Western Michigan University was working as a graduate teaching assistant. That experience will always stay with me because it allowed me to grow both personally and professionally. I had the opportunity to help students understand complex concepts, support their learning and build meaningful connections.
Being in that role also improved my confidence, communication skills and leadership abilities. It made me realize how much I enjoy teaching and mentoring others, which is something I will carry forward in my career as a physical therapist.
Name: Param
Home Country: United Arab Emirates
Area of Study: Computer Science, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
What do you want to do next?
After graduation, I plan to pursue a role that blends software engineering, IT infrastructure, and automation. I’m especially interested in backend development, DevOps, and systems-level work where I can build scalable solutions while also understanding how systems operate in real-world environments.
WMU prepared me well for this path through both coursework and hands-on experience. My role with OIT gave me exposure to managing enterprise systems, working with tools like SCCM, Intune, and Azure AD, and supporting large-scale environments across multiple departments. At the same time, my academic projects, especially my Django-based research web application and machine learning work, helped me build strong development skills.
That combination of real-world IT experience and software development has shaped how I approach problem-solving, and it’s something I plan to carry forward in my career.
What was the best part about your time at WMU?
The best part about my time at WMU has been the people I met along the way. As an international student, it took some time to adjust, but I was able to build a solid support system through work, classes, and friends. One moment that stands out is working on my senior design project with mentors who helped guide me throughout my time here. Having that kind of support made a big difference.
Outside of academics, I’ll always remember the time spent with friends, like going sledding during the winter, and playing intramural sports where our teams, made up of people from different backgrounds, competed and even won a soccer league. I also made the most of my time here by traveling and exploring different places, trying outdoor activities like hiking, rafting, and kayaking, which made the experience even more memorable.
Those are the moments that made my experience at WMU meaningful.
Name: Joju
Home Country: India
Area of Study: Aviation Management and Operations, College of Aviation and Flight Science
What do you want to do next?
As I approach graduation, my next step is to continue building my career in aviation by attending flight training to become a professional pilot. My long-term goal is to work as a commercial airline pilot, combining both my operational knowledge and hands-on flying experience to succeed in the industry.
My time at Western Michigan University has played a major role in preparing me for this path. Through the Aviation Management and Operations program, I’ve gained a strong foundation in aviation safety, regulations, airport and airline operations, and industry best practices. The program has also helped me develop critical thinking, decision-making, and communication skills, which are essential for both leadership roles and piloting.
WMU has given me the knowledge, discipline, and confidence to take the next step into flight training and pursue a professional career in aviation.
What was the best part about your time at WMU?
One memory that will stay with me is the sense of accomplishment and growth I felt over time, especially during moments when everything started to click, whether it was understanding complex aviation concepts or successfully completing major projects. Those experiences showed me how much I had developed both academically and personally.
I’ll also always remember the friendships I built along the way. Going through the program together, supporting each other, and working toward similar goals made the experience more meaningful and something I’ll carry with me long after graduation.
Name: Janani
Home Country: India
Area of Study: Business Administration, Haworth College of Business
What do you want to do next?
This place also gave me friendships I will hold onto for the rest of my life. People who showed up at 2 a.m., who celebrated my wins like they were their own, who I know without a doubt will still be my people decades from now.
I came here to get a business education. I'm leaving knowing how to lead, how to love the right people, and how to trust myself. Western Michigan didn't just prepare me for a career, it prepared me for life. And for that, I'll always be a Bronco at heart.
What was the best part about your time at WMU?
The best parts, honestly, were the moments I didn't plan for. It wasn't a specific class or a grade I was proud of, it was the random Tuesday nights that turned into memories I'll never forget. Laughing with people who became my family, staying up way too late talking about everything and nothing all at once, and realizing somewhere in the middle of it all, this is it. This is the experience people told me to soak in.
But if I had to pick one memory that will stay with me forever, it's the feeling of finally finding my people here. There's something so special about being far from home, a little lost, and then suddenly finding the ones who just get you. No explanations needed. Those friendships didn't just make my time at WMU better. They made me better.
WMU will always hold a piece of my heart because it's where I found out who I really am. Not just as a student, not just as a future professional , but as a person. And that's something no diploma can fully capture, but I'll carry it with me every single day.
Name: Raiyan
Home Country: Bangladesh
Area of Study: Computer Information Systems, Haworth College of Business
What do you want to do next?
What was the best part about your time at WMU?
Getting nominated as the first Bangladeshi for Homecoming king.
Name: Akinyemi
Home Country: Nigeria
Area of Study: Economics, College of Arts and Sciences
What do you want to do next?
What was the best part about your time at WMU?
I was able to learn from great professors as well as learn from the diverse knowledge of friends who come from different part of the world. Connecting with friends, Friday night soccer at the church, I looked forward to it every week.
Also, the free food on Thursdays at the church where I was able to relate and have conversation with other international students. These are some of the highlights of my time at WMU.
Name: Md Inan
Home Country: Bangladesh
Area of Study: Industrial Management, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
What do you want to do next?
What was the best part about your time at WMU?
The best part of my time at WMU has truly been the people I met along the way. From supportive professors who were always approachable and genuinely invested in my growth, to classmates who became close collaborators and friends, the environment felt very welcoming and inspiring.
At the same time, being part of the Bangladeshi community here gave me a sense of home away from home, we celebrated festivals together, supported each other, and created memories that I will always cherish. If I had to choose one lasting memory, it would be those simple moments of togetherness, late-night study sessions, shared meals, and conversations, that turned this journey into something truly meaningful.
Introducing 2025 WMU International Grads
Name: Vitoria
Home Country: Brazil
Area of Study: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, College of Education and Human Development
What do you want to do next?
WMU was my first step in my graduate studies journey, I learned a lot while completing my master's and working as a graduate assistant. All my professors encouraged me to continue my studies through a Ph.D. program, and I'll be heading to upstate New York next fall to accomplish that. Someday, I want to be a professor and impact students' lives just like my professors at WMU impacted mine.
What was the best part about your time at WMU?
Having my first experience abroad, I felt so welcomed by the community at WMU and Kalamazoo! I will never forget the friends that I made, the Thursday lunches at Kanley Chapel, the Fulbright events, seeing snow for the first time and going to the Student Center for coffee and study. I remember going to Lake Michigan for the first time in an event that the International Campus Ministry organized; it was my first time on a beach in a long time and I met some of my best friends there!
Name: Swapnil
Home Country: India
Area of Study: Manufacturing Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
What do you want to do next?
I want to start working in manufacturing industry, leveraging my knowledge of manufacturing concepts in plastics and casting materials to gain valuable exposure and advance my career.
What was the best part about your time at WMU?
As a teaching assistant at the College of Education and Applied Sciences campus, I've worked in design labs with students every semester. Addressing their challenging questions and helping them troubleshoot problems has been a valuable learning experience. It's kept me motivated and engaged, and the students' feedback and smiles at the end of each semester are best memories.
Name: Elfriede
Home Country: Indonesia
Area of Study: Public Relations, College of Arts and Sciences
What do you want to do next?
After graduation, I hope to pursue a career in public relations or journalism—ideally in a role that allows me to write, tell stories, and engage with diverse communities. I’m especially drawn to working in a media or advocacy organization where I can combine my writing skills with my interest in social issues.
Western Michigan University has prepared me in many ways. Through my major in public relations and minors in sociology & journalism, I’ve gained both practical communication skills and a deeper understanding of the social forces that shape people’s lives. Courses in writing, media ethics, and public speaking sharpened my ability to communicate clearly and confidently, while campus opportunities like joining the Western Herald gave me real-world experience.
More than anything, WMU gave me the chance to grow—personally and professionally. From supportive professors to campus mentors, I’ve had a network that challenged me to think critically and pushed me to step outside my comfort zone. I now feel ready to take on what comes next, even if I’m still figuring out the exact path. And I know that the foundation I built here will help guide me forward.
What was the best part about your time at WMU?
The best part about being here is meeting new people whom I call friends now. Also, I gained a lot of experiences through my work directly with local non-profits around Kalamazoo. It opened my eyes to many different things and new world I’ve never seen before.
I also the most memorable and funniest for me is when I’ve telling my Mother I always went to Library with my friends, though it’s not the Waldo Library to study. It’s the Library for partying (haha).
Name: Majed
Home Country: Jordan
Area of Study: Data Science, College of Arts and Sciences
What do you want to do next?
Now I'm looking for job. I gained a lot of valuable skills and solid knowledge in WMU that I look forward to building on and improving further.
What was the best part about your time at WMU?
WMU gave me the chance to meet many friends and colleagues from all around the world. It was a truly enjoyable time at the University.
Name: Salmaa
Home Country: Indonesia
Area of Study: Digital Marketing and E-Commerce, Haworth College of Business
What do you want to do next?
I would like to continue my career by taking my Optional Practical Training (OPT).
What was the best part about your time at WMU?
Being friends with other international students!
Name: Sajid
Home Country: Bangladesh
Area of Study: Aerospace Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
What was the best part about your time at WMU?
During the summer of 2024, I had the opportunity to coordinate at the Motion & Control Lab in the Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Department. My assignments included restoring and repainting hydraulic trainers and a hydraulically powered bike.
Since childhood, I’ve enjoyed restoring devices and bringing them back to life, so contributing to this lab, funded by Parker Hannifin, was incredibly fulfilling. I successfully completed these tasks and helped organize the lab to make it more experiment-friendly. This experience remains one of my favorite memories at Western.
Name: Nzubechukwu
Home Country: Nigeria
Area of Study: Computer Science, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
What do you want to do next?
I am excited about the next phase and looking forward to what the future holds for me in Seattle, Washington.
What was the best part about your time at WMU?
It's hard to choose, really, but if I have to, it would be the times I spent at the library and the Rec Center playing soccer.
Name: Niharika
Home Country: India
Area of Study: Computer Science, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
What do you want to do next?
I am excited to continue my internship and grow into other roles in the area of Software Development. I aim to learn and become a product manager for a big tech.
What was the best part about your time at WMU?
The best part about my time at WMU was working for Career and Student Employment Services as a Career Ambassador. It was a great learning opportunity and I will continue to carry experience with me.
Name: Hellen
Home Country: Ghana
Area of Study: Data Analytics in Finance, Haworth College of Business
What do you want to do next?
I’m eager to launch my career in finance in a role where I can put to work the analytical and strategic skills I have developed at WMU’s Haworth College of Business.
Through rigorous coursework in financial modeling, risk management, and investment analysis as well as hands‑on experience with Bloomberg terminals and group consulting project I have gained a clear‑eyed understanding of real‑world challenges in asset management and corporate finance.
Serving in a leadership capacity with the Graduate Student Association further sharpened my collaboration, communication, and project‑management abilities.
I’m now ready to leverage this foundation to design data‑driven solutions that optimize portfolio performance, streamline financial operations, and strengthen risk‑mitigation strategies and to grow alongside a forward‑thinking organization committed to innovation in the finance industry.
I am deeply grateful to the faculty, administrators, and peers whose guidance and support have been instrumental in this chapter of my journey. Go Broncos!!!
What was the best part about your time at WMU?
The part I will cherish most is the WMU community itself every gathering felt like an invitation to grow, to challenge what I knew, and to discover fresh perspectives.
As an international student, I found myself at events that pushed me to learn and unlearn time and again, sparking insights I never expected. I’ll never forget those late‑night trips to the library with other mates, racing the clock to finalize presentations. Not forgetting the 11:59 anthem of assignments deadlines (whoow!), it was in those ordinary moments surrounded by the hum of machines and the laughter of friends that I truly felt at home.
I will deeply miss the faculty and administrators whose kindness and guidance turned strangers into mentors, and even those little rituals of grabbing printed pages that wove the fabric of my WMU story. Those memories will stay with me forever.
Name: Alimilson
Home Country: Angola
Area of Study: Educational and Global Leadership, College of Education and Human Development
What do you want to do next?
Next, I would like enter the workforce and put into practice the knowledge and skills I have acquired through my academic journey.
WMU has provided me with opportunities to develop myself, make connections and provide an environment where I can find resources and make sure I have what I need to succeed.
What was the best part about your time at WMU?
One of the best memories was to participate in both International Festival and International Bazaar, as those events celebrate the cultural diversity that Western has to offer.
Name: Richard
Home Country: Ghana
Area of Study: Applied Economics, College of Arts and Sciences
What do you want to do next?
I plan to pursue a Ph.D in Economics at Southern Methodist University, focusing on financial econometrics and development economics. My goal is to become a professor and later serve as a research economist at the Bank of Ghana to support financial inclusion.
The MA in Applied Economics at WMU prepared me with strong skills in econometric modeling, quantitative analysis, and programming, equipping me for impactful research and policy work
What was the best part about your time at WMU?
The best part of my time at WMU was the strong sense of community built through a dedicated study group and the unwavering support of the faculty.
Regular group discussions helped us master challenging courses like econometrics, macroeconomics, and microeconomics. The faculty's deep knowledge and commitment enriched our learning experience.
A lasting memory is how we all worked together, students and professors alike, to ensure everyone succeeded. That spirit of collaboration and academic rigor defined my journey at WMU.
Name: Rohan
Home Country: India
Area of Study: Computer Science, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
What do you want to do next?
Coming to the U.S. as an international student wasn’t easy—I left everything familiar behind. But faith kept me grounded, and mindset pushed me forward. WMU gave me more than just knowledge; it gave me opportunities to lead, adapt, and evolve. Whether it was building smart tools, simplifying complex systems, or just being someone people could count on—I showed up with the intention to grow and help others grow too.
I always aimed to leave every place better than I found it.
My long-term dream is to become a technology architect and an entrepreneur—someone who builds powerful systems and creates opportunities for others. But if I don’t end up doing that? You’ll probably find me traveling the world full-time, camera in hand, telling stories as a filmmaker.
Because at the end of the day, it’s all about impact, creativity, and living a life I’m proud of.
The best part about my time at WMU? Growth—deep, meaningful, soul-shaping growth. I came here as an international student with nothing but faith and ambition. WMU became my canvas—where I found direction, pushed past comfort zones, and built something greater than just a degree.
One memory that’ll stay with me forever isn’t a single moment—it’s a thousand little ones. I spent countless hours capturing WMU through my lens—literally. From snow-covered sidewalks to golden-hour glows on Sangren, I’ve taken thousands of photos of every corner on campus. Every shot whispers the echoes of Bronco spirit and tells a story of where I grew, stumbled, and stood back up.
Whether it was late-night coding, spontaneous coffee runs, quiet walks through campus, or those deep conversations that only happen past midnight—WMU gave me a lifetime of moments in just a few years.
Kalamazoo has my heart, and it always will.
Name: Lazizjon
Home Country: Uzbekistan
Area of Study: Computer Science, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
What do you want to do next?
The best part of my time at WMU was building a strong network of friends. I’ll always remember the excitement and nerves of arriving, and how quickly WMU felt like home.
Name: Sumaiya
Home Country: Bangladesh
Area of Study: Computer Information Systems, Haworth College of Business
What do you want to do next?
WMU gave me more than just a degree—it gave me confidence. Through my classes, I learned how to think critically, work with real-world data, and communicate clearly. My professors were always supportive, and the hands-on experiences in projects made learning exciting and meaningful. WMU helped me grow into someone who believes in herself and is ready to take on the world.
The best part of my time at WMU was the people. Being far from home and my parents wasn't easy. But here I met friends who became like family, professors who truly cared, and mentors who guided me every step of the way.
One memory I will always carry with me is my first Dean’s List recognition. I still remember calling my parents, their voices full of pride and love. That moment reminded me why I push myself—it’s for them, and for the dreams they’ve always believed in. All my hard work, late nights, and challenges were worth it, and it was proof that I belong here, that I can do this.
WMU will always be a special chapter in my life. It's where I found not just my purpose and passion, but also love, strength, and a second home.
Name: Zaheen
Home Country: India
Area of Study: Art History, College of Fine Arts
What do you want to do next?
Late nights at the library on finals week trying to finish papers, and taking breaks to stroll in the kids' fiction row and reading Harry Potter.
Name: Kwadwo
Home Country: Ghana
Area of Study: Geography, College of Arts and Sciences
What do you want to do next?
Bronco Bash 2024!
Name: Esther
Home Country: Ghana
Area of Study: Engineering Management, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
What do you want to do next?
Hanging around during Bronco football game at Waldo stadium and also at the Student Center game room were some of my cherished moments.
Name: Marta
Home Country: Spain
Area of Study: Hispanic Studies, College of Arts and Sciences
What do you want to do next?
One of the best parts was the friends I made along the way. As my family is far away, being able to create a small family here was really important. And I’m really happy about that. My friends and I would hang out every week to do a bunch of things such as BBQ, movie nights, cooking or just going to the cinema!
Name: Minh Duc, "Duke"
Home Country: Vietnam
Area of Study: Aviation Flight Science, Management and Operations, College of Aviation and Flight Sciences
What do you want to do next?
Flying and meeting new people!
Name: Awwam
Home Country: Democratic Republic of Congo
Area of Study: Biomedical Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences
What do you want to do next?
One of the few things I really enjoyed at WMU was spending my time at the lab sessions every biology and chemistry class offered. It gave me practical experience and it was fun overall every time I attended.
Name: Jithu
Home Country: India
Area of Study: Engineering Management, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
What do you want to do next?
Time at the WMU Library and the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences was the best.