About Our Team of Counselors
Each year a group of exceptional student leaders is selected to serve as International Student Counselors. The International Student Counselors are dedicated to enhancing the international student experience at St. Olaf. International Student Counselors help facilitate International Student Orientation and are a valued resource to incoming international students. Additionally, International Student Counselors provide interactive programs throughout the academic year to enhance internationalization on campus.
Jimmy Leung ’26
Hometown: Hong Kong
A song that best describes me: Club Can’t Handle Me by Flo Rida
My life philosophy in one word: spontaneous
Maegan Polanco ’25
Hometown: Belmopan, Cayo District, Belize CA
A song that best describes me: Positive Vibrations by Bob Marley
My life philosophy is one word: Live!
Diego Varas Rubin ’24
Hometown: Apatzingan, Michoacan, Mexico
A song that best describes me: Soy Como Quiero Ser by Luis Miguel
My philosophy in one word: Joyousness
Sarah Balekage’25
Hometown: Congo
A song that best describes me: Goodness of God (Bethel Music)
My life philosophy in one word: Gratitude!
Sardar Qaidi ’26
Hometown: Shingal/Ninavah/Iraq
A song that best describes me: The Climb by Miley Cyrus
My life philosophy in one word: Faith
Sofie Galvin ’26
Hometown: Holzerlingen, Germany
A song that best describes me: Fight song by Rachel Platten
My life philosophy in one word: Fearless
Mustafa Al-Bayati ’25
Hometown: Baghdad, Iraq
A song that best describes me: La Shay2 Yoz3ejoni by The Synaptik & Dodongull
My life philosophy in one word: It is what it is (more than one word)
Andrea Hanson ’25
Hometown: Seoul, South Korea
A song that best describes me: Mysterious Girl by Peter Andre (but the Ant & Seb version on X Factor)
My life philosophy in one word: Dance 🙂
Omar Fitian ’26
Hometown: Nablus, Palestine
A song that best describes me: Saat Alfarah by The Scorpions
My life philosophy in one word: Empathy
Simone Talton ’25
Hometown: Waconia, MN
A song that best describes me: Put Your Records On by Corinne Bailey Rae
My life philosophy in one word: Love
Liya Wetzler ’26
Hometown: Eilat, Israel
A song that best describes me: Bejeweled by Taylor Swift
My life philosophy in one word: Hugs
Manaw Kyar Phyu ’25
Hometown: Yangon, Myanmar
A song that best describes me: Going Bad (Ft. Drake) by Meek Mill
My life philosophy in one word: Sensational