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2024 VIC & OBY SCHOLARSHIP Winners

Birva Pinto

Birva Pinto is an Angolan F-1 student studying Biomedical Engineering at Stevens Institute of Technology.

“Leaving my family and coming to a nation where I don’t know anyone is still one of the hardest decisions I have ever made. However, it has been rewarding because it has opened doors to new academic opportunities and transformed my career aspirations.”

Noorjahan Sheikh

Noorjahan Sheikh is a Bengali-American studying Medicine at the University of Virginia School of Medicine.

“I am determined to be a physician who will never give up in her fight against medical racism and injustice for marginalized, low-income, people of color, and immigrant communities.”

Arooj Sohail

Arooj Sohail is a Pakistani-American studying Computational Biology at Columbia University.

“I am determined to pursue medicine and build a better life. Thediscipline, resilience, and work ethic that my parents taught me are the foundation upon which Iwill construct my future. My pursuit of medicine is not just a personal ambition but a path tomake a tangible difference in the lives of disadvantaged people.”

Oleksandr Syzov

Oleksandr Syzov is aUkrainian immigrant studying Aerospace Engineering at Arizona State University.

“As a U.S. immigrant, I realized my responsibility for my own future and initiated a self-transformation that turned me from a quitter into one of the most persistent people in the world.”

Inkyung Kim

Inkyung Kim, is a South Korean F-1 student pursuing a Master’s degree in Statistics at Columbia University.

“Integrating architectural engineering, computer science and statistics, this interdisciplinary approaches designed to supply ‘living houses’ that support the elderly and vulnerable who endure pain and loneliness alone, there by creating better living spaces and making substantial contributions to society. My ultimate goal is to develop in no votives mart architectural technologies that ensure no one is isolated at home, enhancing their daily lives to make them more convenient and safer.”

Daphne Marina

Daphne Marina, an Indonesian student, studying Medicine, at Western University of Health Sciences.

 

“Upon immigrating here, one of the most significant values I have embraced is authenticity. Despite the challenges of adjusting to a new country, I’ve never forgotten my roots and stayed true to myself; this authenticity has become one of my treasured values.”

John Onubogu

John Onubogu, a Nigerian-Americanis a freshman student at the University of Pittsburgh majoring in Computer Science.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to have had astable household with 2 parents. This is the greatest gift that God could have given mebecause it provided a platform for me to succeed. I one day plan on repaying both of themback by retiring them. But until that day comes, I’m going to work hard just like they did.”

Debrah Ogutu

Debrah Ogutu is a Kenyan-American studying Biology at the University of California.

 

“People are usually embarrassed by the aid they receive or the life they live, but striving to create a better life for yourself is the true immigrant story. It’s about the resilience and perseverance you harbor in your mind to attain your goal.”

KestiantynPerevai

KestiantynPerevai is a Ukrainian studying Operations and Supply Chain Management at the University of North Carolina.

“It is crucial to not only have positive values but also realize how they can be used to create a better life for myself and my family…..I believe that it is not enough to have these qualities to succeed as the most critical part is to consistently work hard and set goals to achieve them.”

Congrats to all the recipients! We are honored to be part of your education journey. Thank you also to all this year’s applicants. We wish you a successful school year.