Megan Otermat

motermat@depaul.edu

Hometown:

Ashland, Ohio

College Degrees:
BA in International Relations and German Studies, Mount Holyoke College (South Hadley, Mass.)

MBA, North Central College (Naperville, Ill.)

My recruitment areas:
Graduate International Students and Agent Relations

What has been the most rewarding part of working in international admission at DePaul University?

The people!  I get to work with a great team who all enjoy helping students find their best-fit university - and I get to meet with students, staff and faculty from every corner of the globe. Having lived abroad, I enjoy helping students through the sometimes confusing process of choosing and transitioning to a new university, city and culture.

What piece of advice would you give an international student who is beginning the university search process?

Ask questions - and visit if you can.  Choosing a university can seem difficult. However, as you ask questions and visit campuses, you will discover what is most important to you in terms of programs of study and community.  You will find what fits you and what will help you to achieve your goals.  If you can't visit, check out virtual tours and connect with a global student ambassador – someone who has been through the same process and can share how they made their decision and why they chose DePaul.

What is your favorite thing about living in the city of Chicago?

I live in a suburb west of the city and take the train or drive in each day.  I like how easy it is to get around, and I love Chicago's diversity – the neighborhoods, foods and people from all over the U.S. and the world!  I also really enjoy Chicago in summer, when there are countless options to attend concerts and festivals and just enjoy the lakeshore.

If an international student is curious but unsure about attending college in a city as large as Chicago, what would you tell them?

Chicago is the third-largest city in the U.S.  That may seem a bit overwhelming, but it means that you have access all the resources you can imagine – theaters, parks, libraries, businesses, restaurants, sports teams, festivals, airports, public transportation, music venues, and the energy of the 3,000,000 people from around the world who have chosen to make Chicago their hometown. You can find food, friends and festivals from home right here in the heart of the U.S.  It will take some time to get to know the city – but it is definitely worth the effort! 

And, importantly, you can't beat the networking opportunities with over 400 corporations and 30+ Fortune 500 companies just minutes away.  The location - together with an alumni network of more than 200,000 DePaul graduates - will help you enhance your personal network and take the next steps in your career.  

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