International Community
There are many opportunities for international students to build friendships with other international and American students at Whitman as well as with members of the local Walla Walla community.
International Community at Whitman
Meet the International Student Support staff and some of the international students currently studying at Whitman.
Grzegorz or Greg, (he/him/his) received his MSC in Poland majoring in horticulture, as the first in his family to receive a college degree. He started his international career at The Ohio State University in 2003 within the College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. He was heavily involved in international student exchanges, agricultural internships, visas, recruitment, domestic and international programming. He established exchange programs and visited colleges in dozens of countries all over the world.
Greg joined Whitman College in December 2019 because of Whitman’s academic reputation, attractive location and growing international student population.
Greg loves being outside, whether it is gardening, camping or kayaking. He also enjoys cooking, especially baking various types of breads.
You can get in touch with Greg at 509-527-5005 or leckige@whitman.edu.
My name is Borniface Kabongo from Zambia. I am the 2020-2021 International Programs Inclusion & Glover Alston Management Fellow and my roles include collaborating and working under the mentorship of Greg Lecki as well as the rest of the Intercultural office leadership. I am majoring in Biology, Chemistry and minoring in Chinese hoping to explore Medicine and Research. I am a lover of books, travel and Jazz. New Orleans captured my soul in every way. I have found a home within the international student community at Whitman and I am grateful for the support we continue to receive from each other and the Intercultural Office.
I am from Pretoria, South Africa. I recently declared my major in Race and Ethnics Studies, I am currently debating on adding a minor in Politics. My favorite hobby is sewing and crocheting outfits, even though I have a love-hate relationship with getting the correct measurements! What makes the international student experience unique at Whitman is the close knit community of international students, with whom I share many common experiences with. The support that I receive from this community provides a home away from home for which I am very grateful for.
Hi! My name is Nomonde and I am a sophomore psychology major from Zimbabwe. I am a big fan of traveling to new countries whenever I get the opportunity to do so. For the most part, I like to spend time with my friends trying out new restaurants. What makes my international student experience here unique could be the fact that currently I am the only Zimbabwean at Whitman, so I get the chance to let those who are interested know and learn more about where I come from and my culture.
I was born in Xiamen, China, a city in southeastern China. I am double majoring in physics and mathematics and am hoping to pursue physics in the future. During my free time, I like to play acoustic guitar, although I've begun to be drawn to flamenco style after taking a course on that here at Whitman.
Hello, my name is Marharyta, and I am an international student from Belarus! I am in the class of 2024 and yet to declare my major. However, I am leaning towards Environmental Studies and Biology as my sphere of interest and a future major. In my spare time, you will spot me reading a book, dancing to my favorite songs, or cloud gazing! My favorite part about Whitman is the diversity of the student body that consolidates so many unique stories, so you are proud to be a Whittie, a part of a close-knit extraordinary family!
My parents are from the US, but I grew up in Hong Kong. I'm majoring in History and Chinese. I love running, watching you tube and eating sweet things. Being a third culture kid it was a bit awkward trying to find my place on campus at first, but I feel like I've found a home here.
I am Tejashree Jadhav, first year at Whitman. I come from Pune, a city in Western India. I am intending to major in Psychology. I enjoy creative writing and poetry. I also love to take walks in the town and Walla Walla is surely the place to enjoy strolls and watch the sky change colours as the sun sets. I am looking forward to my years at Whitman.
Connection Opportunities
Learn about opportunities to meet other Whitties and members of the Walla Walla community.
The Global Whitties program is designed specifically to support new international students in their first year at Whitman College. The program pairs first-year international students with returning students to foster relationships and help new students adjust to life at Whitman and in the United States.
If you are interested in participating in the program and being matched with a returning student, please complete this survey. Any additional questions can be directed to International Student & Scholar Services in the Intercultural Center.
Global Whities co-presidents:
Pavita Sidhu sidhup@whitman.edu
Lydia Moriku morikul@whitman.edu
Treasurer:
Angel Baikakedi baikakea@whitman.edu
The Glover Alston Center, commonly known as the GAC is a resource to facilitate Whitman’s commitment to sustaining a diverse community. The Glover Alston Center welcomes and supports differences, collaborates with academic departments, encourages input from divergent perspectives, enhances intercultural and international awareness, and models respect for all in the Whitman community. The Glover Alston Center achieves this by serving as:
- A unique place for programs to develop understanding, and community involvement.
- A place where conversations about diversity, difference, multiculturalism and social justice occur.
- A social and academic space for collaboration between members of the Whitman community.
- A meeting place and home for campus organizations and clubs. An open space for meditation, contemplation, and reflection.
- Conference room, media room and fully equipped kitchen allows for programming and activities for Whitman community.
- Generous and welcoming outdoor area for gatherings and activities.
With this facility, the Whitman community hopes to foster meaningful exchanges between individuals and groups for the greater understanding and mutual respect of one another by encouraging engagement, leadership development and learning.
The Glover Alston Center is located near the west side of the campus, at 26 Boyer Ave.
Whitman College uses Canvas platform to deliver academic content. International Office adopted the same platform to facilitate communication and discussions with international students.
All incoming international students are invited to the International Students Canvas Site. ISSS announcements and instructions on taxes, health insurance, employment and other topics are posted primarily on that site.
You can adjust your own notification options so whenever new announcement is posted you receive email warning.
Most of these announcements allow for discussion. Students are encouraged to post questions publicly so others can benefit from the additional information provided in responses.
If you have no access to this Canvas site, notify the DSO (leckige@whitman.edu) immediately.