International Ambassadors

Hanan Jan Lead Ambassador From: Saudi Arabia and Pakistan Degree Program: BSC Mathematics and Statistics About: Hey! I'm Hanan, from Gilgit Baltistan, in the northern areas of Pakistan. I was born and raised in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. I love playing games in my free time and have been part of the KC Esports team for Overwatch since the Fall of 2023. Another fun fact about me is that I'm interested in learning more languages! I tend to spend most of my days on campus, so don't be scared to come up and say hi!

Arthur Oliveira Financial Coordinator From: Brazil Degree Program: MS Finance About: Opa, beleza galera? I’m Arthur Oliveira — soccer player, finance student, and full-time food lover from Brazil. If I’m not crunching numbers, you’ll probably find me chasing a ball on the field or chasing down the best BBQ in town. I played soccer here in the U.S. for a bit right before COVID hit, and I still keep the tradition going by playing weekly with a group of friends. If you’re ever up for a game, you’re more than welcome to join us! I’m currently in my second semester of a Master’s in Science of Finance (I love numbers… at least until they stop loving me back). Kansas City has been a great place to explore new flavors, and my top pick is definitely the legendary BBQ scene—closely followed by Korean BBQ.

Jessy Nguyen Social Media Coordinator From: Vietnam Degree Program: Masters in Business Administration About: Xin Chào – Hi! I’m thrilled to be serving as a UMKC International Student Ambassador for the 2025–2026 academic year! As a Master of Business Administration student from Vietnam, I know what it’s like to arrive in a new country and want to feel at home—and I’m here to help other international students experience the same sense of belonging I’ve found at UMKC and in Kansas City. You’ll often find me at the library. When I’m not studying, I like staying active, whether it’s getting in some exercise or cheering on our Roos at UMKC soccer games and basketball to come. I also love discovering Kansas City’s hidden gems (Instagram is my go-to for finding the best food spots and coolest hangouts). I’m always happy to swap cultural insights, fun facts, and local tips, so if you see me around campus, please come say hi! This year, I’ll also be running the International Student Ambassador Program’s social media—so follow us on Instagram @umkcisao to connect, see what we’re up to, and check out our monthly events created just for international students.

Billie Asralt Marketing Coordinator From: Mongolia Degree Program: BS Computer Science About: Hey everybody! I am Billie Asralt from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. I am currently doing my Bachelors of Science in Computer Science at UMKC in the heart of Kansas City, Missouri. As a person who gets the most out of opportunities, I am busy with being a research assistant and an outreach coordinator for UMKC DECA on top of being a student and an International Student Ambassador! As an international student myself, through this program, I look forward to working closely with the international student community and being a source of help and encouragement through your journey. Lastly, I hope to see more of you at our events made for you and look forward to serving as your Ambassador this year!

Raza Hussain Khoso Culture Fest Coordinator From: Pakistan Degree Program: MBA Business Analytics About: Dhaz Dhaz Dhaz! Asalam u Alikum Everyone. Sab Se Phele Toh Apne Ghabrana Nahi Hai! My name is Raza Hussain Khoso. I am from Karachi, Pakistan. Karachi is called the “City of Lights” and the city which never sleeps. I completed my undergraduate degree from Pakistan and ended up getting a Silver Medal and Gold Medal for being the high achiever. Now I have been here at UMKC since 2023, and I really love it. I am pursuing my master’s with the goal of exploring new cultures and being able to experience exciting journey. I am an extrovert and social individual. I like traveling, food and making new friends. I love cooking. I am a chef now. That was my first time out of my home country (I haven’t traveled much but would love to do it in future.). My time at UMKC has been filled with some amazing memories. One of the things I absolutely love about UMKC is its rich diversity and inclusive community. A little fun fact about me: I love networking, making connections and helping others no matter what the situation is. Outside of academics, I'm involved in different organizations that help me improve my interpersonal skills. I am a President at UMKC Data Analytics and AIESEC in UMKC. I love being outdoors and exploring new surroundings, but I also love staying in and watching Netflix, a mix of being with friends, music, board games and trying new foods. You can see me everywhere on campus like the ASSC, Library, Bloch School, Student Union and especially in the Swinney because I like sports, play badminton and gym enthusiast so if you want to play Badminton, find me there. If you see me anywhere on campus and need help, say Hi! What I want you to know is that I am here for you. If you want to talk about anything, whether you have a million zillion questions about UMKC, or just to have a chill conversation. As an International Student Ambassador, my goal is to share my UMKC journey, inspire others, and provide support and guidance to fellow students. I believe that every student at UMKC has the potential to thrive and make the most of their time here, just as I have cherished my past year at this exceptional institution. Let’s begin the show Roos! Raza!

Abhinav Kochar Culture Fest Coordinator From: India Degree Program: MS Computer Science About: Hey Roos! I’m Abhinav Kochar, born and raised in Nagpur, Maharashtra—famously known as the “Orange City”—and for the past few years, I’ve been living in the vibrant capital, New Delhi. I’m now at UMKC pursuing my Master’s in Computer Science, diving deep into artificial intelligence, machine learning, and even quantum computing. Outside of academics, I’m an explorer at heart. I love traveling to new countries, experiencing different cultures, and I’m happiest when surrounded by nature—whether it’s mountains, beaches, or endless greenery. I’m also a massive cinephile (movies and shows are my jam!) and a passionate cook—my Indian food is a hit wherever I go. If you spot me at Swinney (the gym) or relaxing in the library, don’t hesitate to say hi. I’m always happy to help—whether you need advice about classes, tips for adjusting to campus life, or just want to chat about travel, films, or food. Coming to UMKC has been an exciting adventure, and I know exactly what it’s like to adjust to a new country, culture, and environment. That’s why I’m here—to help you settle in, find your community, and make the most of your time here. Let’s make your UMKC journey unforgettable—see you around campus!

Anh Nguyen Programming Coordinator From: Vietnam Degree Program: Bachelor in Business Administration About: Hello everyone! My name is Anh Nguyen and I was born and raised in Vietnam. I understand that adapting to a new place and meeting new people can feel a little intimidating at first. Especially, when you have to start fresh by making friends all over again and learn how to get around Kansas City. I went through the same thing, but I learned a lot and discovered many great things about Kansas City along the way. That’s why I want to be an International Student Ambassador is to help new students feel welcome and not alone. A fun fact about me is that I love trying out new food spots around Kansas City (especially boba and noodles). Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions cause I’m always happy to help!

Wilson Khoo Programming Coordinator From: Malaysia Degree Program: BS Electrical and Computer Engineering About: Selamat Pagi! I’m Wilson coming from Malaysia and I’ll be your international student ambassador for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026! I am majoring in electrical and computer engineering so I’m super passionate about anything tech related; currently, I’m trying to learn C++ to get better at programming and understanding how to optimize processing time and memory! As for my hobbies, I love cooking and working out, my favorite thing to cook is traditional Chinese food my grandma makes. So if you want any recipe or advice for cooking, be sure to reach out, but I can’t guarantee they’re good haha. Anyways, looking forward to meet all the new international students coming to UMKC, I’m excited to meet and talk to you guys!