International Students 2006-2007

My name is Razia Stanikzai. I am from Afghanistan. I am currently a Junior at Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame. My major is Psychology with a minor in Women's Studies. I think very highly of my professors at Saint Mary's College. I lived in Kabul before coming to the United States. Kabul is a very beautiful city bustling with activities and people. I worked with the International Rescue Committee/ Female Education Program for Afghan refugee women in Pakistan. In Afghanistan I worked with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) as an Assistant Project Officer in Kabul. The program aimed at the renewal of school curriculum and promotion of girls’ education on the national level.

I miss my country and my family immensely and have not been able to go back since 2004 because of the visa problems. During Summer I work with the Center for Women’s Intercultural Leadership at SMC, which provides me with valuable experiential learning. I would like to be an educator in the future in Afghanistan. My family, my mother in particular, is the source of inspiration and motivation for me. I have many international friends and I enjoy learning about other cultures.

My name is Jingqiu Guan. I am from China. I lived in Chengdu, which is the home of Pandas. I graduated from Chengdu Experimental Foreign Languages School. I have been always fascinated by various cultures and have learned a lot about Chinese culture. Studying in America gives me an opportunity to experience a different way of education and learn American culture and challenge myself at the same time.

I am a freshman right now thinking about a major in economics and political science, minor in dance and French. Saint Mary’s College provides every student the opportunity to study broad in different countries. I am going to spend a full year in France in my sophomore year. Although I have just studied here for a month, I already love Saint Mary’s greatly. You will find the most wonderful friends and most helpful professors here. And it is really an amazing place for me to develop my ability, expand your knowledge, discover myself, and make lifelong friends.

My name is Wenwen Bai. I am from southern China. The name of my hometown is Chengdu. That is where the panda from. I also want to introduce my hometown to all of you. It is a large city filled with people everywhere. The food there is the best of the world. If you have some time, I suggest you visit there. You will have the most special life experience that you can not gain in any other cities in the world. You will find yourself becoming part of it when you leave. And it will definitely become part of your most precious memory in your whole life.

I am a freshman now considering a double major---economics and management. I am a fun-loving girl who has a positive attitude to my life. This is my very first time to leave my country. I know it is a big challenge, but actually I think it is good for me. My goal is to become a “cultural” person. So, I will go to Rome next year. I want to see the world on my own. “My ambition is great,”---that is also how I describe myself. I love Saint Mary's College very much. Choosing this college is the wisest decision I have ever made. Saint Mary's College is a big open stage for us to perform and to show our talent.

I am Stella Maris Kunihira, (Sister Stella Maris Kunihira, CSC), a member of the Sisters of the Holy Cross. I am from western Uganda, East Africa. I'm a Junior and sociology major at Saint Mary's College. I'm also a choir member at the Church of Loretto. Before becoming a Holy Cross Sister, I had attended teacher training in Uganda and obtained a diploma (Grade V) as a primary teacher. I taught in both public and private schools.

I have been serving as a principal at one of the Holy Cross primary schools in eastern Uganda. The school was opened to serve the poor and working class families. Due to the low enrollment of 158 children , I was compelled to open a boarding section with 27 children. With this idea, the number has increased to over 400 children from nursery to primary seven. I was also not only a principal but vocation promoter. I would keep a constant correspondence with women interested in joining Holy Cross. As a vocation promoter, I would visit secondary schools to talk about religious life but Holy Cross in particular. I would also travel to neighboring country, Kenya to meet prospective aspirants. Every Sunday I would lead meet high school students at a nearby school for communion service. This when a priest, a catechist or seminarian would be absent, I would take over.

My special and sincere thanks go to the Sisters of the Holy Cross, Saint Mary's administration, staff, faculty and the alumnae for giving this chance to proceed with my studies in this college. After graduation I'll hope to continue serving people only in schools but in other settings. The neediest ones are my priority.

My name is Vesela Yondova. I am from Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Bulgaria is a small country located on the Balkans and bordering with Greece, Turkey, Romania, Serbia, and Macedonia. I graduated from a French Language High School and English is my second foreign language which I had to learn after I decided to study in the United States. I also have relatively good speaking and writing skills in Italian due to my participation in the Saint Mary’s College Rome study abroad program.

Currently, I am a junior at Saint Mary’s College and I am majoring in Accounting with a possible minor in Finance. Prior to coming to Saint Mary’s College, I had the opportunity to study in different schools in Europe, in Bulgaria, and in the United States. However, I never regret coming to Saint Mary’s College because I think that it is a great school and I strongly believe that the education I receive here will serve me well in life. I would like to use my last words in order to address all prospective international students and to ensure them that Saint Mary’s College is definitely a school that they need to give special consideration because they will never regret their choice!

For More Information on Saint Mary's International Services contact:

Siqin Yang, Assistant Director, International and Intercultural Leadership

Center for Women’s InterCultural Leadership
International Student Advisor
Havican #14, x4263

CWIL · 9 Havican Hall · Saint Mary's College · Notre Dame, IN · 46556-5001 · Phone: (574) 284-4051 · Fax: (574) 284-4141 · E-mail:

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