Amber Arashiro is an international student adviser and orientation coordinator in the Office for International Students and Scholars.
She helps international students maintain their visa status and does immigration advising and paperwork to make sure students can work, take a reduced course load, travel in and out of the U.S. and have family members visit.
But she said that the best part of her job is working with over 200 volunteers to run the international student orientation. The volunteers do a variety of things, including greeting students at the airport and setting up an elegant welcome dinner for them.
Arashiro is also a liaison between OISS and about 40 international student clubs and is an adviser to the Intentional Students Association.
“I get to help young leaders reach their full potential,” Arashiro said.
Arashiro was one of four young professionals selected to go on a group study exchange to Chile in October through Rotary International. The team spent four weeks traveling from the tip of Chile to Santiago, its capital.
Arashiro had the opportunity to speak with international educators at a couple universities along the way.
“As I was there in a country where I don’t speak the language very well and I was eating food I’m not familiar with, it really reminded me of what our international students go through.
“I was reminded of what it’s like to be outside of your comfort zone and how much one person being extra nice and taking care of you can really mean a whole lot,” she said.
###