CHINA

Xiaozhen Yu

Email: Xiaozhen Yu

Languages: Chinese and English
Area of Study: Biochemistry
Academic Level: Graduate
Interest/Hobbies/Sports: Basketball
Favorite Music: 80s rock, R and B

My friends in America call me Shawn. I grew up in a typical Chinese city near Shanghai. After getting my bachelor's degree in China, I came to Ole Miss and started pursuing my Ph.D degree in Biochemistry. I love pretty much all kinds of sports and I like playing basketball on the weekend.

Last year I lived in Guess Hall and had a great experience with a lot of friends from all over the world. People at Ole Miss are so friendly and I am enjoying my life on this beautiful campus.

EGYPT

Laila Hady

Email: Laila Hady

Languages: English and Arabic
Area of Study: Electrical Engineering
Academic Level: Graduate
Interest/Hobbies/Sports: Playing guitar and swimming
Favorite Music: Rap, Rock and Classic

When I say that I am Egyptian, this is not the whole fact because I am actually coming from two great countries. Cairo is not the place where I was born. I am originally Iraqi from Baghdad. Iraq is my birth place. So I am combining between these two countries where human civilizations started in; the Sumerian and the Egyptian civilizations.

I am pursuing a Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering in the field of RF and Antenna Design. Playing guitar is the activity that I mostly enjoyed for the last few years. Playing guitar takes me from the daily routine and life problems to another life where soft music can be played. It increases my desire to hear music. Classical and also modern music become my favorites.

French and German are the other two languages that I speak. I took many classes for more than three years and reached a high level in both languages. I believe that learning other languages is so important because that may open the mind to different cultures. Practicing with these languages gives me the power to be more confident.

EGYPT

Bassem Henin

Email: Bassem Henin

Languages: Arabic and English
Area of Study: Electrical Engineering
Academic Level: Graduate
Interest/Hobbies/Sports: football and watching movies
Favorite Music: Arabic music

The thing that I enjoy most about the University of Mississippi is that is a part of a quite and clean community which has large green areas.

I spend most of my time doing research.

GERMANY

Max Graupner

Email: Max Graupner

Languages: German and English
Area of Study: Business Management
Academic Level: Graduate
Interest/Hobbies/Sports: hockey
Favorite Music: Punk Rock

After living in Tupelo Mississippi for three years and playing for their local hockey team, I decided to go back to school and of course Ole Miss was my first choice. My major is Business Management, and it would be great to get a position in Sports Management once I graduate.

I speak German and English, I love sports, especially hockey and football. My wife will start her education in Spring 2007, Ole Miss has truly become our second home.

GERMANY

Melanie Graupner

Email: Melanie Graupner

Languages: German and English
Area of Study:Geology
Academic Level: Undergraduate
Interest/Hobbies/Sports: nature, baking, photography and reading
Favorite Music: Punk Rock, Alternative

I grew up in a small town in the South of Germany where I lived until I met my husband a few years ago. He told me he was planning to attend the University of Mississippi and I decided to study as well. After finishing my Associate degree in Pharmacy, we both came to Mississippi to begin our studies. I started school in Spring 2007 and my major is Geology.

I love taking pictures and reading. I speak German, English and a little bit of Mandarin. I am trying to learn more Mandarin. I enjoy studying at Ole Miss, it’s such a wonderful place to be.

INDIA

Ram Sankar Basak

Email: Ram Sankar Basak

Languages: Bengali, English and Hindi
Area of Study: Pharmacy Administration
Academic Level: Graduate
Interest/Hobbies/Sports: music, chatting and reading
Favorite Music: Hindi Film Music

I love to explore and enjoy life to the fullest. What I like about The University of Mississippi is the vibrant student population and culture.

JORDAN

Amer M. Al-Maqableh

Email: Amer M. Al-Maqableh

Languages: Arabic and English
Area of Study: Electrical Engineering
Academic Level: Graduate
Interests/hobbies/sports: reading, traveling and swimming
Favorite Music: Country

After completing my bachelor's and master's degree in electrical engineering from the Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST) I worked for two years as a full time lecturer at the Hashemite University (HU). The Universities name is related to the king's family name (King Abdullah II Al-Hashmi).
I came to the University of Mississippi in January 2006 to persue my Ph.D study in Electrical Engineering. I liked the type of living that existed at the university, which has an amazing campus. The Americans at the University are so kind, polite and helpful. I really feel lucky to be at Ole Miss.

KENYA

Barnabas Kirui

Email: Barnabas Kirui

Languages: Swahili and English
Area of Study: Business/Finance
Academic Level: Undergraduate
Interest/Hobbies/Sports: Track, Volleyball
Favorite Music: Gospel Rap

My name is Barnabas Kirui and I am a business student majoring in Finance. I come from a small town called Litein which is located in Rift Valley, Kenya. I attended Kaplong Boys High School where I graduated before joining Ole Miss.

As a member of the University of Mississippi track team I participate in track meets and cross-country. I love playing Volleyball and watching action movies. After my graduation, I would like to work at a financial institution as a clerk, manager or in a similar position. I love Ole Miss.

NEPAL

Shyam Sunder Kandoi

Email: Shyam Sunder Kandoi

Languages: English, Nepali, Hindi and Marwari
Area of Study: Mechanical Engineering
Academic Level: Undergraduate
Interest/Hobbies/Sports: Meeting new people and listening to music
Favorite Music: Hindi, Remix, and Instrumental

I am hard-working, friendly and helpful. I aim at achieving my goals and try in any possible way to help others to achieve their goals.

I believe that Ole Miss is the best thing that has happened to me. The people here are very helpful and it is a wonderful environment for study.

NIGERIA

Fadekemi Alabi

Email: Fadekemi Alabi

Languages: Yoruba and English
Area of Study: Pre-Nursing
Academic Level: Undergraduate

I’m a very energetic person who loves to meet new people and spend time with my friends. I am also the secretary of the African Caribbean Association (ACA) which makes for a wonderful opportunity to meet people from a similar background as mine. I enjoy going to the gym and listening to music and very once in a while I read fantasy books.

What I like most about the University of Mississippi is the people I’ve met. Everyone is very hospitable and ready to help whenever you need it. Groving is also a tradition at the University which I love. The campus is also very beautiful which never fails to put me in a good mood which definitely helps make learning more conducive. I have had a lot of fun experiences here at Ole Miss and I won’t trade them for anything in the world!

NIGERIA

Chisom Udeze

Email: Chisom Udeze

Languages: English, Tomba, Igbo and French
Area of Study: Economics and International Studies
Academic Level: Undergraduate
Interest/Hobbies/Sports: Traveling, reading and tennis
Favorite Music: Anything but Rap and Hip-hop

Although, I grew up in Lagos State, I went to a federal school in Ogun State. I enjoy tennis, yoga, swimming and taking long walks. I speak English, Igbo, Yoruba, and French. I love to read anything from thriller to romance, I love to hang out with my friends and I also love to meet and talk to people. I am a big movie buff! Anything that catches my attention is just fine. I especially love romantic comedies but I’d watch every interesting movie. I am big X-Men and Spider man fan.

I am pursuing two bachelors degrees, one in Economics and one in International Studies. In the fall of 2007, I hope to travel to France for a study abroad program.