The Cultural Ambassadors Leadership program is an initiative to foster greater cultural understanding and inclusivity on campus. The program is led by domestic and international students alike, offering interactive workshops for staff, faculty, and students focused on name pronunciation and cultural awareness. Through the workshops, participants will learn to pronounce names from various cultures represented in their classrooms or departments in a low-stakes, judgment-free environment. The goal is to create a more respectful campus environment by improving cross-cultural communication and promoting mutual understanding.
Students eligible to apply to volunteer for Cultural Ambassadors:
- International, undergraduate students (sorry- no exchange, ELI, graduate students)
- Fluent/ conversational in a language other than English
- Have multicultural backgrounds/ upbringings
Click here to request a name pronunciation workshop for your department
Pronouns: she/her
What is home for you? Macau SAR, China
What languages do you speak? Mandarin Chinese, English, Cantonese, and a little French
What are your major(s) and minor(s)?
- Majors: Neuroscience
- Minors: Philosophy and Music
Ideas/plans for after graduation:
As someone deeply fascinated by global cultures and their unique intersections, I joined CALP to explore how different communities maintain their traditions while thriving together in our interconnected world. Outside of academics, I find peace in creative pursuits like knitting, which allows me to craft meaningful pieces while unwinding from busy days. I also enjoy immersing myself in stories, whether through books or dramas, as they offer windows into different perspectives and lives. While I initially considered pursuing pre-med, I'm currently taking time to explore different paths and discover where my interests in cultural understanding and helping others might lead me. This period of reflection aligns with my belief that understanding diverse worldviews can help shape whatever career path I ultimately choose.
Pronouns: she/her
What is home for you? I live in Green Tree, Pittsburgh. And my hometown is Nashik, India
What languages do you speak? English, Hindi, Marathi, Korean (beginner)
What are your major(s) and minor(s)?
- Major: Computer Science
- Minor: Korean
What is your reason for joining CALP? What are your interests outside of school, and ideas/plans for after graduation?
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When I saw the email about CALP, I was looking for ways to make new friends (This was my first semester at Pitt). I have always loved to share the correct information about my culture; I thought that CALP had that potential gave me and it was the right decision to make!
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I like to do almost everything outside of school; I like adventurous sports, cooking, crocheting, visiting places, tasting new food, driving, listening to music, drawing, and painting (for now, that's all I can think of).
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I am contemplating getting a master's degree; getting employed. My other plans are to get a car and a laptop, travel around US, visit South Korea, and see the Northern Lights (at least once in my life!).
Pronouns: she/her
What is home for you? Plum, PA
What languages do you speak? English, Italian, French (Intermediate/ Pi Delta Phi National French Honor Society), Spanish (Intermediate)
What are your major(s) and minor(s)? Italian Studies Major & Global Distinction Certificate
What is your reason for joining CALP? What are your interests outside of school, and ideas/plans for after graduation?
I joined CALP because I have always been interested and involved in international anything. This organization is a wonderful way to make Pitt an international university, one that is even more inclusive. My interests outside of school are travel, languages, sports, and music. My plans after graduation include travel, making even more connections, and working both in the US and abroad.
Pronouns: she/her
What is home for you? Makati, Philippines
What languages do you speak? Chinese (Mandarin), English, Tagalog
What are your major(s) and minor(s)?
- Major: Natural Science Pre-dental track
- Minor: Neuroscience
What is your reason for joining CALP? What are your interests outside of school, and ideas/plans for after graduation?
The reason why I joined CALP is that I saw this as a perfect opportunity to develop my leadership skill and earn job experience as I collaborate with people with different backgrounds. I love to play musical instruments, read books, and draw when I am free. I plan to become a dentist after I graduate.
Pronouns: she/her
What is home for you? Zhengzhou, China
What languages do you speak? Chinese, English
What are your major(s) and minor(s)?
- Major: Biological Science
- Minor: Neuroscience
What is your reason for joining CALP? What are your interests outside of school, and ideas/plans for after graduation?
I joined CALP because I think it’s a good opportunity to develop my leadership skills, and working with people from different cultural backgrounds will be a good experience.
Outside school, I love cooking, listening to music, and traveling.
I plan to go to a medical school and become a doctor after graduation, and also visit as many countries as I can.
Pronouns: she/her
What is home for you? Tianjin, China
What languages do you speak? Chinese, English, Korean(beginner)
What are your major(s) and minor(s)? Nursing
What is your reason for joining CALP? What are your interests outside of school, and ideas/plans for after graduation?
I joined CALP to broaden my understanding of diverse cultures while also sharing my own cultural background with others. I believe this experience will enrich and enhance my ability to work effectively in cross-cultural environments, fostering greater adaptability and global awareness in both my personal and professional life. Outside of school, I enjoy photography, fencing, and cooking. After graduation, I plan to pursue a career in nursing, focusing on helping more people in need from a professional medical perspective.
Pronouns: he/him
What is home for you? Ba Ria, Vietnam
What languages do you speak? Vietnamese, English
What are your major(s) and minor(s)?
- Major: Exercise Science
- Minor: Applied Fitness
What is your reason for joining CALP? What are your interests outside of school, and ideas/plans for after graduation?
I joined CALP because I think this program is a great chance to immerse myself in diverse cultures from around the world and meet new people from various backgrounds. Moreover, I’d love to share insights into Vietnamese culture, particularly names, which can often pose pronunciation challenges for English speakers. Outside of school, I really enjoy sports, music, and photography. I haven’t yet come up with a plan after graduation, but I want to travel around and pursue a g career that I am passionate about.
Pronouns: she/her
What is home for you? Egypt, Cairo
What languages do you speak? English, Arabic and French
What are your major(s) and minor(s)? Electrical engineering
What is your reason for joining CALP? What are your interests outside of school, and ideas/plans for after graduation?
I decided to join CALP because I enjoy teaching people about my culture and learning new things about theirs! I often felt like people would avoid saying my name because they were worried about upsetting me. Not knowing that made me feel like there might’ve been another reason. Hopefully, I can help professors learn how to pronounce their student’s names so they can communicate with them comfortably and so that no student feels like they are being avoided. Aside from learning and teaching, I like to travel and meet new people. I enjoy outdoor activities and sports that I can play with my friends and family. Once I graduate, I hope I can work in developing new technology at Dyson.
Pronouns: he/him
What is home for you? Gibsonia, PA
What languages do you speak? English, Turkish, Azerbaijani, Uzbek
What are your major(s) and minor(s)?
- Majors: Economics, Political Science & International Area Studies (Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies)
- Minor: Turkish
What is your reason for joining CALP? What are your interests outside of school, and ideas/plans for after graduation?
Currently serving as the ambassador for the University’s Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies, I understand and value the importance of not just practicing but sharing one’s cultural heritage. With family members from Uzbekistan and Russia, I find purpose in promoting cross-cultural understanding and creating meaningful connections. Whenever I saw the email from CALP last semester, I immediately knew that it was the right program for me. Outside of school, I enjoy volunteering with the Turkic immigrant communities by teaching English as a Second Language, in addition to volunteering with the English Language Institute at the University. Following my early graduation, I aim to pursue a Ph.D. in international area studies, focusing on how sociolinguistics amongst the Turkic states impacts political unity.
Pronouns: she/her
What is home for you? Kyoto, Japan
What languages do you speak? Japanese, English, Spanish
What are your major(s) and minor(s)?
- Major: Chemistry
- Minor: Spanish
What is your reason for joining CALP? What are your interests outside of school, and ideas/plans for after graduation?
I decided to join CALP because I saw it as a great opportunity to improve my public speaking and communication skills. Presenting my ideas in front of an audience has always been challenging for me, but I wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to reduce the anxiety and stress that often come with public speaking. Also, I considered this a valuable chance to meet people from different backgrounds and broaden my perspective. Outside of school, I enjoy reading, listening to music, and watching sports, especially baseball and volleyball. After graduation, I plan to attend medical school.
Pronouns: she/her
What is home for you? Bangalore, India
What languages do you speak? English, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi
What are your major(s) and minor(s)? Computer science
What is your reason for joining CALP? What are your interests outside of school, and ideas/plans for after graduation?
I joined CALP because I wanted to meet people from different cultures and to gain leadership skills. I wanted to share my knowledge about my culture through name pronunciation workshops and work with people from diverse backgrounds to learn about their cultures. Outside school, my interests lie in exploring nature, trying new foods, dancing, photography and sketching. After graduation, I plan to pursue my master's degree, work in various countries, and travel to explore new places.
Pronouns: she/her
What is home for you? New Delhi, India
What languages do you speak? English, Hindi and Punjabi
What are your major(s) and minor(s)? Statistics
What is your reason for joining CALP? What are your interests outside of school, and ideas/plans for after graduation?
I am thrilled to join the Cultural Ambassador Program because I love connecting with people and celebrating what makes us unique. Outside of school, I’m passionate about exploring new cultures through food, traveling whenever I can, and listening to house music. After graduation, I envision myself working in banking or research, combining my curiosity and problem-solving skills to make a real impact. This program feels like the perfect way to grow personally while contributing to a vibrant and inclusive community.
Pronouns: he/him
What is home for you? Florianópolis, Brazil
What languages do you speak? Portuguese and English
What are your major(s) and minor(s)? Computer science
What is your reason for joining CALP? What are your interests outside of school, and ideas/plans for after graduation?
I joined CALP because I am passionate about cross-cultural exchange and leadership development. I believe that fostering understanding between diverse communities is essential in today’s interconnected world, and I want to contribute by promoting cultural awareness and inclusivity. Outside of school, I enjoy exploring different cultures through travel, music, and literature, as well as working on technology-driven projects like game design and data analytics. After graduation.