About Our Team of Counselors

Each year a group of exceptional student leaders is selected to serve as International Student Counselors. The International Student Counselors are dedicated to enhancing the international student experience at St. Olaf. International Student Counselors help facilitate International Student Orientation and are a valued resource to incoming international students. Additionally, International Student Counselors provide interactive programs throughout the academic year to enhance internationalization on campus.

2023-2024 International Student Counselors:

Jimmy Leung ’26

Hometown: Hong Kong

A song that best describes me: Club Can’t Handle Me by Flo Rida

My life philosophy in one word: Spontaneous

Maegan Polanco ’25

Home Town: Belmopan, Cayo District, Belize CA

A song that best describes me: Positive Vibrations by Bob Marley

My life philosophy in one word: Live!

Diego Varas Rubin ’24

Home Town: Apatzingan, Michoacan, Mexico

A song that best describes me: Soy Como Quiero Ser by Luis Miguel

My philosophy in one word: Joyousness

Sarah Balekage ’25

Home Town: CONGO

A song that best describes me: Goodness of God (Bethel Music)

My life philosophy in one word: Gratitude!

Sardar Qaidi ’26

Home Town: Shingal/Ninavah/Iraq

A song that best describes me: The Climb by Miley Cyrus

My life philosophy in one word: Faith

Sofie Galvin ’26

Home Town: Holzgerlingen, Germany

A song that best describes me: Fight Song by Rachel Platten

My life philosophy in one word: Fearless

Mustafa Al-Bayati ’25

Home Town: Baghdad, Iraq

A song that best describes me: La Shay2 Yoz3ejoni by The Synaptik & Dodongull

My life philosophy in one word: It is what it is (more than one word)

Andrea Hanson ’25

Home Town: Seoul, South Korea

A song that best describes me: Mysterious Girl by Peter Andre (but the Ant & Seb version on X Factor)

My life philosophy in one word: Dance:)

 

Omar Fitian ’26

Home Town: Nablus, Palestine

A song that best describes me: Saat Alfarah by The Scorpions

My life philosophy in one word: Empathy

Simone Talton ’25

Home Town: Waconia, MN USA

A song that best describes me: Put Your Records On by Corinne Bailey Rae

My life philosophy in one word: Love

Liya Wetzler ’26

Home Town: Eilat, Israel

A song that best describes me: Bejeweled by Taylor Swift

My life philosophy in one word: Hugs

Manaw Kyar Phyu ’25

Home Town: Yangon, Myanmar

A song that best describes me: Going Bad (Ft. Drake) by Meek Mill

My life philosophy in one word: Sensational