Global Family

When Aavash Nanju, ba ’21, first moved to Topeka from Kathmandu, Nepal, in 2017, he was nervous and excited. He did not speak very much English, but he was finally fulfilling his childhood dream of studying in the United States as a student at Washburn University. He first heard about Washburn through his high school in Nepal, and he quickly realized everyone he spoke with from the school was welcoming and helpful. He decided to give it a try.

“At first everything in the country was totally new, and I had nobody over here,” Nanju said. “But I liked Topeka because it wasn’t too big of a city and everything was accessible. Friends at bigger universities were totally lost and had nobody helping them – but at Washburn, classes weren’t too big and everybody was really helpful.”

(Brothers Aavash Nanju (left), Aayush Nanju (center) and Aacrish Nanju all came to Washburn from Nepal to earn degrees. Photo submitted)

Nanju had such a positive experience that his younger brothers, Aayush and Aacrish, now attend Washburn as well, studying computer science and nursing, respectively. Today the siblings live together in Topeka, with Nanju working remotely at Hyundai Motor America Corporate Headquarters while his brothers complete their degrees. Because of the supportive environment Washburn creates for international students, it is not uncommon for two or even three siblings from the same family to make
the decision to leave their homeland and become Ichabods.

According to Heidi Staerkel, associate director of international programs for student services, when international students decide to attend Washburn, this benefits the entire student body. Washburn currently hosts nearly 300 international students from 40 countries.

“We are interconnected around the world, and having international students come here helps us to realize that,” Staerkel said. “Sometimes we may not have an understanding of other countries or cultures, so getting to know international students on a personal level can have such a positive impact.”

Minami Isobe, ba ’23, learned about Washburn from one of the school’s partner agencies that works with international students, which is how many young people from around the world discover Topeka. She had initially moved from her home in Japan to study in St. Louis, Missouri, and she ultimately wanted to find a school that was a better fit for her. Her decision to study at Washburn was fueled by the school’s affordable tuition and her strong desire to improve her English.

(Minami Isobe. Photo submitted)

“When I was studying at Washburn, I thought the environment for international students was so good,” Isobe said. “Even coming from different countries, we were able to make friends and get to know students from different cultures. Washburn is also a good size – not too small but not too big. There are opportunities to meet a lot of people and study a lot of things.”

Today Isobe works as cabin crew for Cathay Pacific, an international airline based in Hong Kong – but her connection to Kansas remains strong, as her younger sister Hinata and brother Ryusei are studying at Washburn. She said the social experiences and affordability were big reasons she encouraged them to follow in her footsteps – and Staerkel echoed that the campus environment is a boon for many international students.

“I’ve heard so many of our students say Washburn and Topeka have become like a second home,” Staerkel said. “I think a lot of that has to do with the level of support they receive here, with everything from getting connected with campus resources to adjusting to life in the United States.”

Omar Alrubaian, bs ’17, came to Washburn in 2013 when he heard about the school’s criminal justice degree through a scholarship program in his home country of Saudi Arabia. He was followed by his brother, Mohamed, bba ’19, and sister Yara, bba ’19, and the three siblings lived for several years in Topeka together. Today they have all returned home, with Alrubaian having secured a job as an investigator at an electric company and his siblings both working in the oil sector. He particularly recalls his excitement when the Kansas Bureau of Investigation building opened on the Washburn campus – as well as the first time he attended an American football game.

(Omar Alrubaian. Photo submitted)

“It was all an incredible learning experience,” he said. “It has made me who I am today. The education I received is top notch, and it was a wonderful experience from the day I got on campus to the day I graduated. Without Washburn, I don’t think I would be who I am today, and I’m looking forward to a great future.”

“We strive to provide a personalized experience for our international students,” Staerkel added. “Students know they’re seen and they matter. Your siblings wouldn’t follow you here if they didn’t feel they would have that same experience. I strongly believe we have something very special at Washburn.”