Making connections is a vital part of recruiting graduate and international students to SIUE, and sometimes these connections occur even before a student sets foot on campus. Zhanna Korneva, an incoming economics and finance graduate student and winner of an SIUE Competitive Graduate Award, has had the benefit of learning about SIUE from an international alumna, Olessya Voblikova, while in Kazakhstan. In their conversation about their educational experiences, choices and goals, Zhanna and Olessya found that they shared a common connection with Sandra Tamari, international admissions counselor and recruiter in SIUE’s Office of International Student and Scholar Services.
Olessya attended SIUE during spring 2008, and she thoroughly enjoyed her experience at the University studying linguistics. She currently works at EducationUSA in Almaty, Kazakhstan, where she advises students who are planning to attend a U.S. college or university.
Zhanna received several admission offers from U.S. universities but was confused about which school to choose. She went to EducationUSA for advice in preparing for her U.S. education, and Olessya was her advisor. Going into the session, the two women did not know anything about one another’s educational background. When Zhanna told of her admission to SIUE, Olessya was eager to share her positive experience at the University and her connection with Sandra.
Sandra recruited Olessya and assisted with her transition to SIUE by providing advice on housing, budgeting, what to pack and what to expect when she arrived in Edwardsville. Sandra visited Olessya on her first night at her apartment at Cougar Village and made sure she was feeling secure and welcome. That personal touch was the start of a great friendship. Sandra and Olessya have remained in contact over the years.
Likewise, Sandra has been available to Zhanna to answer her questions and ensure that her transition to SIUE is as seamless as possible. Both women found that their interaction with Sandra was extremely helpful and made it easy for Zhanna to choose SIUE.
Sandra makes hundreds of connections to help recruit new students. She advises students on selecting the right program, how to apply, provides updates on their applications, scholarship information and more. Sandra additionally welcomes all the new international students during orientation and provides them with assistance on housing, budgeting and transportation.
Zhanna begins her master’s program at SIUE in fall 2013, and while she was already excited to attend an American university, she is even more enthusiastic to meet Sandra and experience SIUE firsthand.
Olessya’s positive experiences and Zhanna’s excitement about her education attest that SIUE has no ordinary international reputation. SIUE international students benefit from learning in an environment that encourages them to be confident, to be involved in the community and campus, and to gain a unique cultural experience that they can take with them in their future professional and academic endeavors.
Jyoti Dharna, a native of Nairobi, Kenya, who graduated from SIUE in 2004, gave credit to the University for helping her develop both professionally and individually.
“My education fully prepared me for a successful career,” said Jyoti. “As a student, I was comfortable enough to have a voice.”
Like Jyoti and Olessya, Zhanna has been accepted to SIUE to learn, grow, share her unique cultural perspective, and begin making the connections that foster academic and personal success.
If you are interested in making these connections and fostering your success, feel free to contact Sandra Tamari at satamar@siue.edu to start your journey at SIUE.