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Meet Current Students: Global Ambassador Program (GAP)​

GAP Group
DePaul's Global Ambassadors are a group of dedicated undergraduate international students who work closely with International Admission. The Global Ambassadors assist prospective and admitted undergraduate students with any questions about academics, student life or living in Chicago.

These Global Ambassadors are more than happy to discuss aspects of DePaul with you, as well as their adjustment to making our unique campuses and city home.  Contact the ambassadors by email at gap@depaul.edu

Learn more about each ambassador below:

Bao Tran, Global Ambassador
Bao Tran, Global Ambassador

Name: Bao Tran
Hometown: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Area of study: Public Relations & Advertising

I chose my major because…

I want to work in a competitive, fast-paced and professional industry. I am a very outgoing and adventurous person, so PR & Advertising fits my personal traits and strengths the most.

My favorite thing to do on campus is…

Working out in The Ray. The Ray, in my humble opinion, is the most well-rounded gym I have ever been to. Beside its state-of-the-art equipment for both weight lifting and cardio, The Ray has extra activities in studios and classes such as Zumba, Yoga, etc. Also, there is a bit swimming pool that I use two times a week, a cafeteria that serves snacks and smoothies, a running track, stadiums for other sports like volleyball or basketball, and a huge locker room. The Ray is more than just a good gym, it is a place for you to stay social and release all your stress.

When I have free time in Chicago, I…

Love exploring the city. I love wandering around the city during sunny or warm days with my friends to discover the best and most interesting corners of the city: restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, or just simple places to practice my photographic skills.

One positive thing I’ve learned about myself since coming to DePaul is…

How lucky I am to be a part of DePaul University! My personal motive is "the only limitation is yourself." DePaul has all the factors to be the very best university: great programs, great clubs and activities, phenomenal professors, cutting-edge facilities, and most of all, location in the middle of Chicago.

After graduation, I’d like to…

Work in an organization or company that allows me to travel. I could not describe how much I am in love with traveling and exploring new places. To me, experience is the most valuable element that excels you not only in work, but also in life.

Harshita Bali - India
Harshita Bali, Global Ambassador

Name: Harshita Bali
Hometown: India 
Area of study: Computer Science

I chose my major because…

Computers are future and I enjoy working with computers and creating basic programs. I want to be an expert in computing as it enables to solve complex and challenging problems. The best thing about this field is that it offers great opportunities for true creativity and innovation which suits my personality.

My favorite thing to do on campus is…

Making connections with people who are from different coutnries, have different cultures and background just to expand my social circle and to feel the sense of multiculturalism. Being so much away from my hometown and family, I have involved myself to various clubs and organizations that DePaul has just to feel the sense of community.

When I have free time in Chicago, I…

Love exploring the city, different neighborhoods - cafes, restaurants, beauitful infrastructure, streets, and museums with my friends and capturing every single moment.

One positive thing I’ve learned about myself since coming to DePaul is…

How to balance life by balancing your job, classes, family, friends, personal time, and variou other things. I learned how I must discipline myself, whether it is studying for the exam, going out with friends, or just showing up for classes. This made me feel independent and self-sufficient.

After graduation, I’d like to…

Work in a company as a Data Scientist by availing every single opportunity that comes my way which will help me to learn and explore more about myself.

Diya Malaney, Global Ambassador
Diya Malaney, Global Ambassador

Name: Diya Malaney
Hometown: Singapore
Area of study: Marketing and Economics

I chose my major because…

I've always been interested in a career in business and Marketing and Economics blend my passions together. On top of that, I believe they will give me a comprehensive foundation.

My favorite thing to do on campus is…

Going to the library! I love how the LIncoln Park library is divided into different sections by floor. When I'm looking to finish some quick homework or study with a group of friends, I tend to opt for the 1st or 2nd floor where I can still talk while doing my work. When it's crunch time and I have an essay due that night, I like that I can escape to the 3rd or 4th floor and surround myself in silence so I can get my work done efficiently.

When I have free time in Chicago, I…

Love exploring the city. When I first moved to Chicago, I didn't see the appeal of the city but once I started exploring different neighborhoods - unique and odd cafes, restaurants, beautiful sceneries - and just wandering aroudn the city I realized all it has to offer. It's become my favorite city in the US.

One positive thing I’ve learned about myself since coming to DePaul is…

How to grow where you're planted. DePaul has so many resources that one just has to apply themselves to grow and improve. I've made it a point to use the Career Center, the ASK network, the various clubs on campus, my DePaul discount, and the other resources offered to develop myself.

After graduation, I’d like to…

Work in a company or organization that allows me to keep growing and challenging myself with new experiences. I would also like to eventually start a social enterprise to be able to give back to the community.

Ana Sofia Martinez, Global Ambassador
Ana Sofia Martinez, Global Ambassador

Name: Ana Sofia Martinez 
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Area of Study: Hospitality Leadership

I chose my major because…

I chose to major in Hospitality Leadership because I always had an interest in helping others as I was very involved in community service throughout high school. My biggest goal is to be able to improve people's experiences in establishments, from the moment they arrive until the moment they leave. During my formative years I moved to three different countries in the Americas. Due to this I experience hospitality from a very early age. This industry surrounds us every day, but we rarely register it as such. This inspires me to want to be a part of the hospitality industry and provide excellent service to varied groups of people.

My favorite thing to do on campus is…

The DePaul University campus offers a great variety of activities to participate in. My favorite activity within the campus would be to hang out in the student center with my roommate and friends. During my freshman year, we would consistently go and study or just hang around to chat. It has great atmosphere where many other students eat and hang out, allowing you to meet new people. It was always important that we had somewhere comfortable to lounge in and have an easy accessibility to the food.

When I have free time in Chicago, I…

When I have free time in Chicago, I enjoy taking the L downtown or to the lakefront with my friends. Downtown Chicago offers a huge variety of restaurants and activities which are especially fun when you are just recently discovering the city. Meanwhile, the lakefront is a very peaceful and relaxing place to hang out. My favorite activity is to have a picnic with friends when the weather allows it while enjoying the view. Another great activity before the pandemic was to attend concerts in different concert venues which provided great atmosphere for nightlife. Chicago has so many things to offer but if I had to narrow it down to my favorites I would choose hanging out at the lakefront, going out to restaurants, and attending concerts.

One positive thing I’ve learned about myself since coming to DePaul is…

My ability to do things independently. Attending unviersity in a new country provides a freedom and independence I had never previously experienced. DePaul has given me the chance to make my own decisions while exploring new interests. My time at DePaul has allowed me to grow as a person pushing me to flourish independently and cultivate my own identity.

After graduation, I’d like to…

After graduation, my first priority would be to find a job within the hospitality industry that aligns with the fields that interest me: lodging, event planning, and tourism. I would hope to get a work visa that allows me to work in the hospitality industry in the United States. If staying in the United States is not a viable option, I would go back to my home country and develop my career within tourism, lodging, and event planning, allowing me to use the skills learned at DePaul University. Overall, I would love to continue pursuing a profession within the hospitality realm and using my passion for the industry to drive my future endeavors forward.

Sharjeel Sajjad, Global Ambassador
Sharjeel Sajjad, Global Ambassador

Name: Sharjeel Sajjad
Hometown: Karachi, Pakistan
Area of study: Management Information Systems

I chose my major because…

Growing up in a business-oriented family, I was always intrigued to learn about the true essence of a business. However, in the modern world it might be impossible to run a successful business without proper knowledge of technology. Therefore, I chose management information systems (MIS) as my major as it serves the dual purpose of understanding the IT aspect of a business as well as the business itself.

My favorite thing to do on campus is…

Visiting the College of Business. The Driehaus School of Business is its own bubble where a number of events are held, attended by several companies that might help one in making connections with diversity of people. It is awesome to branch out! However, when managing studies along with work becomes stressful for me, I find myself at The Ray. It's not just the gym; it is the perfect place to socialize as well as work out.

When I have free time in Chicago, I…

Roam around and explore different parts of the city with my friends. Few of my favorite areas include the Devon Street and the Wicker Park area. There are a number of concerts that happen quite often in the vicinity, and the walk in Downtown is one of our favorite things to do during the weekends.

One positive thing I’ve learned about myself since coming to DePaul is…

To embrace my weaknesses, work on them and make them my biggest strengths. Being a completely dependent child, I had never imagined myself living more than 7000 miles away from home and doing things on my own. DePaul taught me how to take responsibilities, grow and work independently. It taught me that the journey of struggles will lead to success. I found people like me who shared similar experiences and were more than happy to help me settle and adjust in a completely different environment.

After graduation, I’d like to…

Work in an organization that would not only help me to learn new things but also allow me to grow as a person. This would help me apply all my learnings in my very own venture, pulling off with the grit that I already have for it.

Connect with our Global Ambassadors: