International Programs and Partnerships

Hello Falcons! My name is Ashkan Dastani. I am from India, the land of variety. I am a senior pursuing my bachelors in computer science with a minor in data science. In my years at Bowling Green State University, I have been a part of a number of organizations on and off campus such as the Association of Computing Machinery, Global Connections and St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital. I have also held leadership positions like the international student ambassador at International Programs and Partnerships and as the vice president of India Student Association for two consecutive years. I am also an active member of Greek life and a part of a social fraternity named Tau Kappa Epsilon.

For my Falcon Funded project I have selected the International Student Fund. The International Student Fund is a scholarship fund designed to support international students as they pursue their degrees here at Bowling Green State University. BGSU is ranked in the top 75 public universities offering resources to help international students adapt to and graduate from U.S.-based schools. Donations to this fund contribute to three separate scholarship opportunities designed to financially support our international students. Recipients of this award are graduate and undergraduate international students who serve as leaders amongst their peers and contribute to international understanding and cultural sharing for the entire BGSU community. Your gift in support of our Global Falcons will help BGSU and these exceptional students remain in the forefront.

I picked this area because being an international student I have deep insight on how scholarship funds like the International Student Fund play an important role in a student’s life. In my opinion, scholarships play a vital role in encouraging students to do their best and also feel appreciated for their hard work. Another reason for me to choose this funding project is because I believe that there is a huge bridge between the international students and the students who are raised in America, and I strongly believe that every student at BGSU should break this bridge and indulge themselves in activities which would allow them to learn new cultures and have a variety of human interaction in their life.