International Students Discuss Their Journeys to Wentworth
From left: Ana Isabel Salas Jordan, Carla Reyes, Shabrina Laksmana, and Sankalpa Kattel
In recognition of International Education Week, a group of Wentworth International Students discuss why they chose the university and what that experience has been like thus far.
Wentworth enrolls approximately 200 international students from 56 different countries, in addition to 13 exchange students from four countries.
In Spring 2021, the Wentworth International Student Association was created in Spring 2021 with Carla Reyes Castillo serving as president. The group counts 60 members representing 29 countries. WISA was created as a way for international students to gather and meet up with students who are experiencing Wentworth from an international student perspective, to essentially become an extended family away from home while also serving as a resource to each other for a wide variety of issues.
You can follow the group on Instagram @WISA_WIT.
And read a little more from a few of the students below.
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Sankalpa Kattel, Computer Networking ’21
I can positively say that Wentworth has made me a better person and I am so glad that I decided to attend the college. The journey from Nepal to the United States has been remarkable but most importantly my time at Wentworth has taught me to be a responsible, independent, and confident individual. I have learned to dream and work hard for achieving it.
Wentworth is dedicated to providing a quality education. The professors are knowledgeable about their content areas, care about their students, and are extremely helpful. Wentworth provides its students with a practical technical knowledge and two co-op opportunities that help students explore the work environment and find jobs after graduation. Supportive co-op advisors and international student services have helped me be part of two great co-op opportunities. After a great learning experience at Moderna as an End-User IT Support for my first co-op, I am currently engaged on my final co-op program with Harvard University.
Ana Isabel Salas Jordan, Computer Engineering ‘19
I was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela and came to Boston in 2015 to study Computer Engineering. I chose Wentworth because of the co-op program and the hands-on experience. Today, I can certainly say that this helped me with starting my professional career.
Since graduating, I have been employed at Grubhub where I have been working on all aspects of qualitative and quantitative user experience research. Together with my team, our goal is to create the best experience for our customers. It has been a great learning experience and I’m so grateful for the opportunities I have been given.
Carla Reyes, Mechanical Engineering ’23
I am an international student from Honduras. I am a junior studying Engineering with a Mechanical Engineering Concentration and a minor in Business Management here at Wentworth.
I am involved in different on-campus jobs and clubs. I am an Admissions Ambassador Coordinator, Orientation Leader for New Student Orientation and Wentworth Orientation Week, President and Co-Founder of the Wentworth International Student Association, and member of the Wentworth Student Government and Student Association of Management.
I chose Wentworth because of its location and the co-Op program. Wentworth is located right in the heart of Boston with many different places to explore (Museum of Fine Arts and Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum across the street, a 15-minute walk to Fenway Park, Prudential Center, and Newbury Street). The co-op program is a great opportunity to get practical work experience in the real world for two required semesters before graduation. My first required co-op is this upcoming spring semester and I am very excited that I have secured a co-op at Fitzemeyer and Tocci Associates as their Mechanical Engineering co-op. I am looking forward to get practical experience in the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering industry!
Shabrina Laksmana, Industrial Design ’21
Originally from Indonesia, I chose Wentworth because of the hands-on learning experience and co-op program. As a graduate, I have received the benefits of being a Wentworth alumna, which includes connections with professors, friends, and professionals through my time in co-op as well as my academic journey.
I was an international student, and I truly understand how finding a co-op and post-graduate life can be challenging, but Wentworth has amazing offices that will guide you in your academic and professional journey. Now I am a Junior Designer at LLM Design Inc. As an alumna, the advice I can give to current students is to not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and connect with other students, join clubs and organizations. Also, have fun while building a system for balancing work and leisure time.