Global Brandeis

Undergraduate
Graduation Year: 2029
Home Country: Mongolia

Hello everyone! My name is Binderiya, but i prefer to go by Ben. I am an international student, born and raised in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. As one of the few students from Mongolia I'm so excited to show everyone attending IAGW my culture and learn about other customs as well. I am currently majoring in Political Science and minoring in Business as one of the International Business Scholar students. Besides this, I love swimming, watching horror movies and I have quite a bit of knowledge on any indie horror games and even the popular ones. So excited to meet all of you!

My name is Elijah Benson, and I am a second-year Master of Science in Finance student at the Brandeis School of Business & Economics. Born and raised in Accra, Ghana, I speak Akan and English fluently. Beyond academics, I serve as President of the Brandeis Consulting Association and was an Orientation Leader for Fall 2025, where I enjoyed welcoming and supporting new students. I am passionate about people and believe in the power of cultural exchange to bring communities together. I love sharing my Ghanaian heritage, learning from others, and building bridges across cultures. Music and singing are some of my favorite ways to connect, and I value every opportunity to create meaningful conversations and friendships. I am excited to be part of I Am Global Week again, celebrating diversity and fostering a strong sense of belonging for all.

Pronouns: She/her
Undergraduate Student
Major: Biology
Graduation Year: 2026
Home Country: India

My name is Kyra and I'm a junior majoring in Biology and minoring in Chemistry & Studio Arts. I was born in London but have lived all my life in India. I speak Hindi and English fluently. I took French for 6 years but I would say I have partial fluency in it. I'm a trained Kathak dancer, and love music, drawing, and traveling. This is my third time being a Global Fellow so I'm excited to continue sharing different cultures on campus!

Graduate Student
Major: Global Health Policy and Management
Graduation Year: 2026
Home Country: Rwanda

My name is Pacifique Dusabeyezu, and I am a graduate student in the Global Health Policy and Management program at the Heller School. I am an ambitious and compassionate physical therapist and emerging global health researcher, passionate about advancing equitable access to high-quality healthcare as a universal right. Through evidence-based research, I aim to strengthen health systems and policy while contributing to interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation. I am honored to serve as a Global Fellow and contribute to fostering equity and intercultural understanding at Brandeis

Pronouns: She/her
Undergraduate Student
Major: International and Global Studies
Graduation Year: 2026
Home Country: South Africa

Hi everyone! My name is Alodie Gould-Wagenaar; I’m a senior majoring in Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies and International Global Studies with a minor in Studio Art. I grew up in a small town called Knysna on the southern coast of South Africa and moved to the States for college. My favorite things about my country are our beautiful natural landscapes, incredible people and our uniquely South African culture. On campus, I’m also involved in feminist organizing and performing with my dance team, and in my free time I love painting, spending time in nature and going to art museums. I’m really excited to be a Global Fellow this year and look forward to promoting cross-cultural connection and understanding.

Denis (Pacifique) Ishimwe was born and raised in Rwanda. His journey began at ASYV, a school established after the 1994 genocide, with a focus on promoting the values of healing the world and healing the heart. These principles have inspired Pacifique throughout his life and led him to initiate projects that uplift his community. One of his most significant contributions is the Together We Inspire Initiative, which teaches English to local schools in his home village. In high school, he studied a variety of subjects, including history, geography, literature, entrepreneurship, English, Kinyarwanda, and General Studies and Communication Skills (GSCS). He was also very active outside of classes, participating in Debate, student government, literary journalism, piano, 3D printing, and many other activities.

Denis (Pacifique) demonstrated his leadership skills as Minister of Education in the student government and as President of the Writers Club for two consecutive years. He is passionate about youth development, reducing poverty, and ending hunger. He often wonders why some parts of the world are poorer than others and dreams of a future where no one is left behind. Over the summers, Denis (Pacifique) volunteered with various organizations, including the Giants of Africa Festival in 2023, Rwanda Book Mobile, and Bridge2Rwanda. His desire to work with others and create positive change is evident in everything he does.

As a natural entrepreneur, Pacifique is establishing The Generation We Want Initiative in his junior year. This club teaches its peers about financial literacy, sex education, and life skills. When he discusses this initiative, his eyes light up with excitement and a passion for making a difference in his community. In his free time, you can find him reading books, exploring conspiracy theories, or enjoying a good ride. Denis(Pacifique) quote believes that people appreciate results more than the processes that create them, driving him to make a meaningful impact in the world around him.

Aminata Jaiteh is a feminist and gender and development expert with extensive experience in advocacy, leadership, research, and community mobilization. She has over eight years of experience working on issues related to gender equality, health, education, ending harmful traditional practices (child marriage and female genital mutilation). She is skilled in program coordination, strategic communication, policy advocacy, research, and grassroots organizing. Aminata is a member of The Girls’ Agenda, a feminist organization founded by young women in The Gambia. She actively advocates, lobbies, and mobilizes communities and decision-makers to drive investments in women’s and girls’ rights. Ms. Jaiteh had her first Master’s degree in Gender and Development from the University of Sussex, United Kingdom, awarded through the prestigious UK Government Chevening Scholarship for global leaders in 2023. She is currently pursuing an Ms in Global Health Policy and Management at the university of Brandeis. She also holds multiple certifications in gender policy, leadership, and advocacy from regional and international institutions including The Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex, and the Women’s Human Rights Institute in Canada. Her academic and professional interests centre around gender justice, women’s health, disability rights, women’s political participation, girls’ education, and inclusive development.

Pronouns: He/him
Graduate Student
Major: Finance
Graduation Year: 2026
Home Country: Nepal

Nepal My name is Aman Kharga, and I am a first year Master of Science in Finance student at Brandeis University School of Business and Economics. I was born and raised in Nepal, where I completed my undergraduate degree in Business Administration at Kathmandu University. Before coming to Brandeis, I worked with one of the largest conglomerates in Nepal in business growth and strategy, where I expanded digital payment services, drove financial inclusion, and supported nationwide access to financial technology. I speak English, Nepali, Hindi, and Maithili fluently. Beyond academics, I enjoy traveling, tutoring, and volunteering, and I have been actively involved in student leadership and community service since my undergraduate years. I am very excited to be a Global Fellow and look forward to sharing Nepali culture, learning from peers across the world, and helping create meaningful cross-cultural connections at Brandeis.

Undergraduate Student
Graduation Year: 2029
Majors: Undecided
Home Country: China

My name is Qiutong Lin and I am a first year undergraduate student passionate about social justice and advocating for under-resourced, low income communities. I was born in Shenyang, China, and immigrated to Brooklyn when I was four. I currently serve as a freshman representative for Brandeis Asian American Student Association. One of the main reasons why I chose Brandeis was because of its strong international presence and diverse student body. Since arriving on campus, my closest friends have been international students from across the globe. This has been an incredible eye-opening experience, as not only have I gained insight into cultures I had never encountered before, but I’ve also been challenged to reflect on my own identity as an immigrant. Beyond the classroom, I enjoy volunteering, stage management, and hanging out with family. I am undecided on my major, but I am looking to explore the humanities and social sciences.

Graduate Student
Major: Global Health Policy and Management
Graduation Year: 2026
Home Country: Democratic Republic of Congo

My name is Amos, and I am a graduate student in the Global Health Policy and Management program. I am a physician from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and I've had the chance to live and work in different parts of Africa, where I came to recognize how much I enjoy collaborating with people from diverse backgrounds. These exposures truly nurtured my passion for intercultural exchange and inclusive approaches to solving global challenges. I am thrilled to serve as a Global Fellow and contribute to the vibrant and diverse community at Brandeis.

My name is Tendai Mutungwazi, a first-year MBA student at Brandeis University from Zimbabwe—home to the majestic Victoria Falls. I have professional experience in relationship management and impact investing across Africa, and I am passionate about building connections and creating positive change. Through Wisekids Trust, I donated over 1,200 solar lights to rural learners in Zimbabwe to support their education. I am excited to serve as a Global Fellow this year and to engage with Brandeis’ diverse and vibrant community.

I’m an international student from Bangladesh and currently pursuing my M.A. in International Economics & Finance at Brandeis. I did my undergraduate degree in Business Administration and Economics at Meredith College in North Carolina, where I served as Co-President of the Meredith International Association and helped organize various cultural events for over 500 people.

I love traveling and learning about new cultures. One highlight for me was a spring break study abroad trip to Italy where I explored art and architecture and had a great time with my peers. I really value opportunities to connect with people from various backgrounds and enjoy creating spaces where different cultures are visible, represented, and celebrated.

Hey! I'm Yash, a Graduate Student majoring in Business Analytics. I'm from Indore, a city in central India that's famous for its amazing street food—seriously, if you haven't tried poha-jalebi for breakfast, you're missing out!

Coming to Brandeis has been one of the best decisions I've made. I wanted to step out of my comfort zone, experience a completely different culture, and see how data and analytics work in a global context. Back home, I grew up surrounded by India's incredible diversity—different languages, traditions, and perspectives everywhere you look. That's what got me hooked on understanding how people from different backgrounds approach problems differently.

I love diving into data to uncover insights and solve real-world challenges, but what really excites me is the human side—understanding cultures, trying new foods (I'm always down for food recommendations!), exploring new places, and connecting with people from all walks of life. I'm really looking forward to be a Global Fellow this year and can't wait to share stories, learn from everyone's unique experiences, and make some amazing memories at Brandeis!

I'm Gi from the Philippines! I spent part of my education in UAE before coming back to the Philippines in 2017 to finish high school. As a student, I became deeply involved in youth participation, debate, and community organizing, eventually earning the St. Francis Xavier Service Award for Outstanding Student Leader when I graduated from Xavier Ateneo in 2023. After high school, I took a gap year where I launched a startup, worked in marketing, design, and tech, and continued community organizing with nonprofits like Greenpeace Philippines and the Caraga Youth Coalition of Leaders for Empowerment.

Beyond community work—I love tech, art, entrepreneurship, video games, and the gym. At Brandeis, I’m pursuing majors in Anthropology, Business, and Psychology with minors in Legal Studies and Creativity, Arts, and Social Transformation.