Welcome to ISSA!

Welcome to the International Studies Student Association (ISSA) at UCSD, the official student organization of the International Studies Program (ISP) at the University of California, San Diego. ISSA seeks to gather like-minded individuals who share diverse interests in international studies and international relations. We provide a platform of rich experiences and opportunities in international studies.

Browse our website to learn more about who we are, what we do, and how you can join us!

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President

Sona Ovasapyan

Sona Ovasapyan is a third-year Eleanor Roosevelt student majoring in International Business and minoring in Environmental Studies. She grew up in a diaspora of Armenians in Glendale, California. She is fluent in Armenian and refining her Spanish skills. She loves exploring botanical gardens, going on beach hikes, and adding to her collection of plant babies!
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Director of Mentorship

Sara Pirzad

Sara is an undergraduate at UCSD majoring in International Economics and minoring in Computational Social Science. She grew up speaking English and Farsi, and aspires to gain a proficiency in other languages as well. She would say she takes a "venturesome" approach to life. Engaging in conversations with friendly faces, and experiencing new environments and hobbies are her little joys in life.
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Director of Special Events

Arya Singh

Arya (Aryamaan Singh, he/him) is a third-year Sixth student double majoring in International Studies - Political Science and Economics. He is an International student from New Delhi, India. He has a passion for world politics and likes to explore new places, cultures and cuisines. He is fluent in English and Hindi. Some of his hobbies include reading books, watching movies, and trying new restaurants!
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Vice President

Jeniffer Espinosa

Jeniffer is a fourth-year Muir College student majoring in International Studies- Political Science. She was born and raised in San Diego, California. She is fluent in English and Spanish. Currently, she has been learning Korean. Her hobbies include dancing, traveling, and going to concerts.
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Director of Public Relations

Erin Tang

Emily is a third year Marshall student majoring in Political Science: Public Law with a double minor in design and marketing. She loves art, reading, and baking with friends. As a San Diego native, she also loves the beach. Finally, she loves traveling and exploring new places!
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Director of Administrative Affairs

Jasper Wu

Jasper Wu is a second-year student in Seventh College majoring in International Studies — Political Science, and comes from San Jose, California. Jasper is fluent in Mandarin and English, but is eager to learn another language in the future. While usually glued to the computer playing video games, Jasper also enjoys hiking (when it's not too hot!), geeking about geography and history, and playing pool on the weekend
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Director of Alumni Affairs

Landon Lee

Landon is excited to serve as ISSA's Alumni Affairs chair for the 2023-2024 school year! He is majoring in International Business and has been part of ISSA for over a year now. He is excited to meet everyone!
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Director of Membership

Elizabeth Chang

Elizabeth Chang is a second-year Marshall student pursuing a double major in International Studies - International Business and Real Estate and Development. She is from Irvine, California. Currently, Elizabeth is fluent in English and Bahasa Indonesia while learning Mandarin at school. In the future, she hopes to visit more countries in Europe and South East Asia. Some of her favorite activities include finding new foods, going to concerts, learning new sports, and spending time in her hometown.
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Check out our Instagram Page or Facebook Page for the most updated information on ISSA events!

2022-2023 Past Events

Social Sciences Career Day

Spooky Halloween Social

Undergraduate Mentorship Program Thanksgiving Potluck

Bondfire Social @ La Jolla Shores

Students of all majors and levels
are welcome to drop in on all events, meetings,
and socials hosted throughout the year.

To be considered an **active member ** (you’re interested in greater involvement, intend to put ISSA on your resume, etc.):

  1. Attend quarterly General Body Meetings

  2. Attend at least 5 social/professional/academic events each quarter (Professor Panel, Speaker Series, Networking Night, etc.)

  3. If part of the Undergraduate Mentorship Program (UMP) or Alumni Mentorship Program (AMP), meet all program-specific requirements

  4. Stay involved – via Instagram, Facebook, socializing/networking with other members, and even hanging out!

A key focus of ISSA is to foster community through student-run, student-driven Mentorship. Active members of ISSA have the opportunity to participate in the dynamic Undergraduate Mentorship Program (UMP) and interact with alumni through the Alumni Mentorship Program (AMP), Alumni Coffee Chats, Networking Night, etc.

UNDERGRADUATE MENTORSHIP PROGRAM (UMP)

The ISSA Undergraduate Mentorship Program (UMP) connects members of ISSA through academics, social events, and other networking opportunities. Participants are matched up with other students of similar academic and professional interests, these mentor and mentee groups are encouraged to attend UMP events, socials and other ISSA activities as a group, with the goal of fostering friendship and mentorship throughout the year.

Applications for the 2024 Spring Undergraduate Mentorship Program are now OPEN! Applying using the google form on our instagram by April 12th, 2024!

  • Mentor and Mentee should be current UCSD students

  • Mentor and Mentee should meet at least three times per quarter

  • 1:1 meetings/group meetings between mentor and mentees can be either remote or in-person

  • The Undergraduate Mentorship Program encourages International Studies majors to apply, although the program is open to all UCSD majors.

Please note that this program is separate from ISSA’s Alumni Mentorship Program, where current active UMP members are connected with and gain professional advice from graduates of UCSD’s International Studies community.

Follow our Facebook Page to keep updated on postings regarding job/internship opportunities, international related events on campus, and more.

Questions or Concerns?
Email us at [email protected] or message us on Instagram or Facebook !
Instagram: @issa.ucsd
Facebook: @issa.ucsd

Welcome to ISSA’s Student Blog!This is a platform for students who are passionate about international studies to share their knowledge, experiences, travel stories, and personal reflections.To contribute to the blog, you can either submit an entry on your own or become a part of our new Writer’s Committee dedicated to curating content for the blog! Attend our quarterly GBMs or contact ISSA (Facebook or email) to find out how you can join the Writer’s Committee.If you’re not a part of the Writer’s Committee you can also submit an article on your own! To submit an entry, please send the following items to [email protected]:
(1) An entry of 250-500 words on any topic in international studies
(2) The title of your entry and a byline with your name, major, and graduating year. (eg: “EAP Adventures in Thailand” John Smith, IS Econ ’21)
We will accept blog entries on a rolling basis and encourage everyone with a story to submit a piece.Happy writing!**All submissions are welcome, but the ISSA executive board reserves the right to exclude submissions deemed inappropriate for the blog. By submitting an entry, you agree to allow ISSA to make necessary edits to your piece.

Check out our archives from previous years here:
SoundBites Blogs

2022-2023

Rina Mandeville
President

Candace Chan
Director of Public Relations

Eric De Haas
Director of Administrative Affairs

Brendon Wong
Vice President

Jason Melz
Director of Membership

Sona Ovasapyan
Director of Special Events

Jeniffer Espinosa
Director of Alumni Affairs and Mentorship

2021-2022

Rebecca Toney
President

Christina Liu
Director of Public Relations

Brendon Wong
Director of Administrative Affairs

Becca Howard
Vice President

Katia Yuki Hastings
Director of Mentorship

Rina Mandeville
Director of Membership

Jeremy Day
Director of Special Events

Amery Castro
Director of Alumni Affairs

2020-2021

Sabrina Fernandez
President

Cecilia Cai
Director of Special Events

Stephen Napolitano
Director of Administrative Affairs

Vanessa Morales
Director of Mentorship

Rebecca Toney
Director of Membership

Harrison Tang
Director of Public Relations

Andrew Monteilh
Director of Alumni Affairs

2019-2020

Defne Sevil
President

Pankhuri Prasad
Director of Public Relations

Ekam Gondara
Vice President

Brandy Juarez
Director of Administrative Affairs

Hadar Galili
Director of Special Events

Joseph Goulart
Director of Membership

Pankhuri Kohli
Director of Mentorship

2018-2019

Federico Arroyo
President

Deborah Jeong
Director of Administrative Affairs

Rachel Finerman
Director of Alumni Relations

Isabelle Chen
Vice President

Kerisa Lin
Director of Public Relations

Sabrina Fernandez
Director of Special Events

Riley Hao
Co-President & Director of Mentorship

Kelly Wun
Director of Membership

2017-2018

Natalyn Pow
President

Tenzin Chomphel
Director of Public Relations

Tina Oliva
Director of Membership

Sophie Osborn
Vice President

Saloni Dalal
Director of Mentorship

Daniel Carnahan
Director of Interorganizational Liaison

Caitlyn Khuu
Director of Administrative Affairs

Jesse Lun
Director of Events

2016-2017

Cassidy Shapiro
President

Jerin Tan
Special Events Coordinator

Amy Nguyen
Vice President

Stephanie Peng
Director of Administrative Affairs

Janell Ingersoll
Mentorship Program Director

Alex Gunn
Director of Public Relations

2015-2016

Ivana Ro
President and Co-Founder

Rebecca Chong
Director of Administrative Affairs

Jenny Gross
Vice President

Melody Tsolmonkhuu
Special Events Coordinator

Precious Nicanor
Director of Public Relations

Cassidy Shapiro
Mentorship Program Director

2014-2015

Angela Luh
Co-President and Co-Founder

Lori Pope
Social Events Chair

Lily Lo
Vice President

Yen Nguyen
Events Administration Chair

Jacob Poore
Interorganizational Liaison

Lillian Hwang
Secretary & Mentorship Program Chair

Yinan Zheng
Interorganizational Liaison