If you have ever been to a multicultural event on campus or you’ve needed help checking out a book at the library, then there’s a very big possibility you’ve seen the bubbly Sabina Paudel. This weeks Campus Celebrity has been taking our international community by storm. Her warm smile has done wonders in making all of our international students welcome with not only her support but also her friendship. Paudel has been able to bring people of all faiths and cultures together, inspired by her own cultural background to be a role model to one of SAU’s missions, to be a culturally diverse campus.
-What is your major and year in school?
I am a senior and Spanish major, biology minor.
-Your hometown?
I am from Davenport, IA but my ethnicity is Nepalese.
-What organizations are you involved with at school?
I currently haven’t been able to involve with any club right now due to busy schedule but I would just love to join Arabic table, Spanish club, and interfaith council. I was in Spanish club and interfaith council last semester and I enjoyed a lot. Interfaith council we talked about our religion. There were students from different countries and I got to know many of them very well.
-How and why are you so involved with our international students?
Well first of all, I have always been close to international students since high school. Since I started my schooling from middle school here, I was very shy among American students. I never knew what to talk about. I made friends from other nationalities and felt comfortable sharing my opinions about my own culture since it was so similar. Then at College I went to international mixers and I have few of my friends from high who attends SAU and through them I get to know international Chinese/ Indians students.
-What is your favorite part about being involved with international students?
I absolutely love them. They are very welcoming to me every time. Whenever they have some activities for international students, they would let me know. Just today Chinese students had a moon festival dinner and activities at a church and they invited me. And what amazes me is that they are so curious about learning other cultures and languages. They have only been here for 1 year and they have picked up lots of Spanish words and use it on me since I am a Spanish major. I also love learning about their culture and language. Learning Chinese is just a little hard but I hope I can learn it.
-How many languages do you know how to speak?
I speak my native language (Nepali), Hindi to full understanding, but little low on speaking, Spanish, and English makes it four. I want to learn Chinese too.
-Why do you love languages so much?
– I just love learning languages and learning about other cultures. I love it so much because I am so passionate about languages and engaging with internationals makes me very enthusiastic. I feel languages are the only way to feel and connect to the world. I gives you deep understanding about why we have distinct cultures in every countries. Why are things they are? I feel language plays major role on things we do everyday life.
-Can you tell us a little bit more about how your family came to America and the QC?
I was 12 when I came to America. My father had applied for Diversity Visa Program for US in 2002 and my father was approved for it. My whole family arrived to America in 2003. My father’s cousin lived in Iowa before and he has many friends spread around Iowa. My dad thought QC might be better for us so this is why I am here.
-How do you think that has had an effect in your life?
I am really happy that my family came to QC because it is a peaceful place to live and raise a family. I prefer small towns rather big cities so I had a comfortable start of my new life. Although I faced difficulties culturally, I learned it as I started to make friends. I think if I didn’t come to America I wouldn’t know anything about living in a diverse community and understand the importance of language and cultures. This is reason I feel I am more driven to learning about languages.
-What is your favorite thing about SAU?
My favorite thing about SAU is of course my international friends.