ºìÌÒÊÓƵ

International Student Services

Division of Student Life

InterConnect Program

interconnect logo

The InterConnect program seeks to support new international students with their cultural, social, and academic transition to ºìÌÒÊÓƵ by matching them with a current ºìÌÒÊÓƵie.

New students and their mentors will get to know each other through frequent individual meetings and a series of InterConnect events that will occur during the school year.

InterConnect Mentors Fall 2024

Chriselda Nguyen

Lead Mentor
Hi, I'm Chriselda, a senior Chemistry major from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. My hobby is doing extreme sports especially skydiving, although I don't get to indulge in these activities as often as I'd like. I've skydiving before and absolutely loved it. I'm currently working toward obtaining a skydiving license so I can experience the thrill of jumping off a hot air balloon! In addition, I have a passion for traveling. My family's goal is to visit all the continents, and we've already traveled to quite a few places. As a Lead interconnect mentor and orientation coordinator at ºìÌÒÊÓƵ, I'm thrilled to meet you all and help make your transition to ºìÌÒÊÓƵ as smooth and memorable as possible. I'm looking forward to connecting with all of you! Feel free to reach out if you have any questions, or concerns or just want to chat 

Minal Edwards

Hi everyone. I'm Minal (she/her) a senior at ºìÌÒÊÓƵ, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Economics. Home to me are India, Oman, and the UAE but I've made a home for myself here in Portland too! When I'm not studying you can find me trying out various food cart spots in Portland or chasing the many waterfalls we have here. I adore browsing through thrift stores and cooking up new dishes to share with my roommates and friends. As an Interconnect Mentor, I look forward to getting to know you and helping make your transition into a vibrant and happy ºìÌÒÊÓƵie, a comfortable and fun journey!

Ezra Scheuermann

Hi! My name is Ezra (he/they). I'll be a sophomore this fall, and I haven't decided whether I'll be majoring in physics or linguistics yet. I grew up moving from place to place. I spent most of my childhood in Germany, but I've also lived on Guam and currently call Italy home when I'm not in Portland. When I'm not studying, I'm usually writing, rock climbing, or playing Pokemon. Being a mentee in the InterConnect program helped me adjust to living in the United States and life as a college student, so I'm excited to be able to provide the same guidance and experience to new international students this fall. Feel free to reach out to me anytime!

Taya Gu

Email: tgu@reed.edu

Hello everyone! My name is Taya, biology majored dance minored sophomore student. My hometown is from Shanghai, China. I love to dance, do any kinds of sports (usually basketball and volleyball), photography, listening to music, and a tons of other hobbies. You can often find me in PAB, pool hall, sports center, and running to classes. If you enjoy K-pop, I’m one of the leaders for K-pop dance club at ºìÌÒÊÓƵ, and I’ll be teaching some classes so just peak into our classes! I super excited to meet every one of y’all and bring you guys around Portland. What you can be excited about is the food trucks in Portland is actually really good (not kidding), I’m really picky about food and i can truly say that we have the best food trucks in the whole US. Hope to see everyone during orientation and have a whole lot of fun during your summer break:) Reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns or excitements:)))

Susan Xu

Greetings! I'm Susan (she/her), your interconnect mentor, originally hailing from the vibrant city of Beijing, China. Now, as a rising junior at ºìÌÒÊÓƵ, I'm exploring the fascinating world of neuroscience, trying to unlock the mysteries of the human brain. Outside of academia, my heart beats to the rhythm of music. I frequently get lost in the diverse tunes offered by Portland's dynamic concert scene, immersing myself in the city's creative energy. As a self-proclaimed foodie, I find joy in the culinary arts. If you're ever unsure about dining options in town, don't hesitate to ask for my recommendations! Although I'm naturally introverted and often find myself lost in my thoughts, I've successfully found my footing at college. So, if you identify similarly, take heart! I'm here to show you that you can not only survive, but truly thrive in this new environment. So, whether you need academic advice, foodie tips, or simply someone to chat with, please feel free to reach out. Welcome to our community - I'm looking forward to meeting

Duanyang Wang

I'm William/Duanyang Wang. I'm a sophomore, who is probably going to study physics now. I'm from Hangzhou, China, which is a beautiful city. I like every type of sport and if you are interested in going to the gym in the morning at 7:00 am, please tell me. Also, tell me if you like to play badminton, squash or table tennis. I'm eager to find someone to play these sports with me.

Xavier da Silva

Oi I’m Xavier, and home for me is Brazil (land of soccer and samba, but I’m terrible at playing soccer or dancing samba). I am a sophomore philosophy major. You can often find me in a kitchen, since food is my biggest passion. If you need any good recommendations of good places to eat in town, or you have a family recipe that you want to trust me to attempt making, I’m your guy.

I moved to the US in 2021 to attend UWC USA, an international boarding school in New Mexico. So I get the feeling of being away from home, having to function in English, and having to find community and home away from home.

Please reach out if you need anything. I’m excited to meet you.

Khushi Naik

Hello! I'm Khushi (She/her). I'm from India. I'm currently studying Physics and Computer Science. I've glasses and I don't like wearing them so you'll see me squint quiet often as I try to overcome my astigmatism.. I promise it's not a Death stare!!! ºìÌÒÊÓƵ is a unique place and I hope to help you guys have a smooth transition to college. 

Questions?

If you have any questions about the program, please contact Gwen Sandford, Program Director for International Student Services.