International Students of Lewis & Clark (ISLC)
ISLC Board Members 2018-2019
President: Nhi Ho ’20
My name is Nhi. I’m from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. I’m a junior majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. I lived in Singapore for four years before coming to Portland (and no, I’m not a “Crazy Rich Asian”, maybe “crazy”, but most probably not “rich”). I was first introduced to the ISLC board during my orientation week of freshman year and have been serving on the board ever since. As the president of ISLC this year, I hope to not only fulfill our values and mission of creating a safe space for international students and promoting a multicultural environment on campus but also to not shy away from tackling the more controversial issues regarding xenophobia and immigrants’ rights that our international students community is affected by.
Bridget Flaherty, ISLC Advisor and Associate Director of International Students & Scholars
I’m originally from Missoula, Montana, but I have lived in Portland on and off over the past fifteen years, and have spent time studying abroad in Austria and teaching English in Japan. When not at work, I love to travel, eat delicious food, cook, read, hike, cross-country ski, and explore Portland and the northwest.
Vice President: Jaweal Hakoum ’20
Hello! My name is Jaweal. I am a rising junior student at Lewis & Clark College. I was born and raised in Syria. I came to Oregon at the age of 13 and graduated from David Douglas High School in 2016. Although I am very passionate about Chemistry and Biology, I decided to major in Psychology and minoring in Neuroscience and Chemistry. I would like to become a Dentist in the future. During my spare time, I enjoy watching comedy series, reading and hanging out with friends. In the past five years I have adopted a few American values, however, my culture remains a huge part of my identity. I am very thrilled to learn more about the international students at LC and how to best provide a safe and fun living environment for them.
ISLC Representative to the ASLC: Sara Worku ’19
Secretary: Daniela Zamora ’20
¡Hola!/Hello! My name is Daniela and I am a junior majoring in International Affairs with a minor in Political Economy. I come from Mexico City and before coming to LC, I studied two years in India at Mahindra United World College. I am very passionate about theater and dance! In the last couple of years at LC, I have participated as a chair for Latin America at the International Fair. I love having a space to share my culture and learn from others, that is why I’m very excited about becoming part of ISLC.
Chairperson of Activities: Puthyda Keath ’19
Hello!My name is Puthyda Keath. I’m a senior majoring in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology. I come from Cambodia but I studied in Singapore (UWCSEA) when I was 13. Being far away from home for almost a decade, I definitely understand how it feels like to be apart from family and friends and the struggle to adapt. This is why I’m so excited to be on the ISLC board to help engaging domestic and international student community at LC and also to support fellow international student peers. Something more about me: I love traveling, cooking and of course eating delicious food and dessert!
Chairperson of Activities: Jasmine Pan ’19
Hello friends! My name is Jasmine. I’m from Taiwan and a senior double-majoring Psychology and German this year at LC. I grew up in Taiwan and went to high school in Sacramento, California. Last year I also went on the Study Abroad program to Munich, Germany for a year. Over the years I have met so many friends from different cultures at LC as well as in Munich. I love learning about new cultures and sharing my own. As the chairperson of activities this year, I hope to learn from my colleagues and strive to create spaces for everyone to meet new friends and learn new things or share their insights.
Chairperson of Budget and Finance: Xiya Yu ’20
Hello everyone! I’m Xiya (pronounce like Sia) from Beijing, China. I’m a junior majoring in math. I lived in China for my entire life before I came to LC. I love music and singing, which drives me to join one of the a cappella groups on campus. I’m so honored to be the chairperson of budget and finance this year in islc. Hope I could get more involved in our international student community and help our islc family to have some wonderful events!
Chairperson of Publicity and IT Advisor: Jady Brown ’20
I’m Jady and I’m a history major (recently declared so catch me in the library pretending to get my life together). I’m a UWC Mostar alum from Aruba and I’m a junior this year. I love to read, cook (eat), and get lost in Portland’s public bus system. I have never made a poster in my life but as your new social media advisor I’ve decided to fake it ‘til I make it and hope nobody finds me out. I want it known that I will abuse the unholy power vested in me to post awful pictures of anyone who makes fun of my posters.
Chairperson of Publicity and IT Advisor: Macarena Vives ’22
I am a Freshman. I was born and raised in Mallorca, a little Spanish island located in the mediterranean sea. I love everything that has to do with photography and videos, however, I plan on double majoring in International Affairs and French studies. I love spending time with friends, going out for dinner, watching movies and I’m also part of the tennis team, so let me know if you like doing any of those things! I am thrilled to be part of the ISLC board this year and I can’t wait to organize amazing event that I hope all of you guys attend! I know being away from home can sometimes be hard, so if you ever want to talk, know I’m here too!
Student at Large: Devon Conradson ’19
Hey all! My name’s Devon, and it’s my sincere honor to represent ISLC as the Student at Large. I’m a biochemistry/molecular biology major at L&C. My various interactions with international and TCK students across campus, as well as my participation in events put on by IME and international fair, have made me passionate about promoting and empowering the international/TCK community here on campus. As student at large, one of my primary goals will be to support interactions between the international/TCK and American communities while supporting ISLC in any other ways that I can. I am honored to take on the responsibilities of this position and look forward to fulfilling my duties throughout the year.
Student at Large: Tobias Varntoft ’21
I am Tobias Varntoft from Køge, Denmark. I am an Environmental Studies major and Political Economy minor. I am currently a sophomore at Lewis and Clark College. I will be going to Australia for the spring semester to attend a regional study abroad program. Before coming to Lewis and Clark College, I lived in Germany for two years, attending an international boarding school called United World College. Being in Germany, the increasing curiosity and appreciation for cultural diversity made me interested in getting more involved with the international community at Lewis and Clark College. I love going on spontaneous adventures, all kinds of food and having long and meaningful conversations with various different people. I want ISLC, not just to be a community for international students, but a community where everyone has a chance to exchange culture, language, values, and ideals. An ideal community would be where international students could have space where they feel safe when they feel overwhelmed by new cultures and societies, but also a community which invites American students to study and learn from other cultures than their own. I am excited to join this year’s ISLC board, and I hope my contributions, ideas, and excitement can help provide this ideal community and spirit.
TCK Representative: Harshita (Joy) Pajarla ’21
My name is Harshita Pajarla but since my name means “one who brings happiness” in Sanskrit, most people call me Joy. I am a Physics and Math double major. My parents are from the state of Telengana in South India, but I was born in Minneapolis. I consider my home to be Surprise, Arizona (yes, that is the actual name). I grew up for the first seven years of my life in India with my grandparents and as a result know three languages fluently: English, Hindi, and Telugu. My international background inspired a curiosity for languages in me; so I learned two more: Greek and Latin. My whole life has been a journey of forging a relationship between my Indian ancestry and the American culture I grew up in. I have never quite fit right in with either of these cultures completely but have recently learned to appreciate my ability to marry two different cultures. As your TCK representative, I hope to bring out this appreciation in those of you who are in the same boat as me. I can’t wait to get to know the international community and participate in its diversity.
AES Representative: Nabil Khan ’21
My name is Nabil. I am originally from Afghanistan, but currently live in Portland, Oregon. I’m a sophomore majoring in Computer Science and a minor in Middle Eastern Studies. I came to U.S. four years ago and have lived most of my life in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Living in different countries throughout my life, I have gained key skills that allow me to be a part of different cultures, and have managed to learn multiple languages. As a representative for the AES (Academic English Studies) club for this year, I hope to connect more AES members with the LC community and its students. I look forward to hosting fun and engaging activities that will enhance the English skills of international students in AES club by conversing with native English speakers on campus.
