Cultural Peer Mentors (CPMs)

Hey! I'm Alondra a second year studying Conservation and Resource Studies, and Society and Environment. I was born and raised in Redwood City, a small town in the Bay Area. I love to eat Mexican food, probably because I grew up eating and watching my mom cook it, nonetheless it's the best. I enjoy playing sports (mostly soccer), running, biking, hiking, making 500-piece puzzles, reading fictions books, and taking care of my plants. I'm a first-generation Latina student and I'd like to share my experience with everyone who is willing to learn about it. Given my background that can provide a unique lens of the US and my recent trip to China this past summer, I've felt more inspired to learn about different people and hope to create belonging and community with students the way I felt welcomed in China.

Hi! My name is Ana and I am a senior Economics student. I'm bicoastal- half of my heart is with my family in Miami, FL and the other half is here in Berkeley. I'm passionate about music, books, languages, and the outdoors. I spent the first half of 2023 studying abroad at the University of Auckland in New Zealand where I had the most amazing time traveling, camping, scuba diving, and, of course, meeting locals and other international students! I am so excited to help facilitate a wonderful and memorable experience for incoming exchange students! Go bears!

Hello everyone! My name is Anson and I am a rising senior majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology and Public Health. I was born and raised in San Francisco, just across the bay from Berkeley. When I’m not studying or teaching my decal, I’m enjoy art museums, hiking, capturing photos with my film camera, and spending time with friends. Last semester, I studied abroad at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea and was a part of a similar program there. I became a CPM to provide the same warm welcome and resource I received there to visiting students at UC Berkeley. I can’t wait to meet everybody, and I will do my best to help you have an amazing time at Cal. Welcome to UC Berkeley!

Hello! I'm Catherine, a third-year majoring in comparative literature with a focus on Chinese and English. I was born and raised in San Jose, CA and my go-to place for a tasty meal is Jubba, a local restaurant back home that serves delicious Somali food. I enjoy reading (ask me for my Goodreads—I'm always trying to grow my friends' list!), getting my body moving, and going to museums and concerts. I applied to be a CPM so that I can make friends with people from all around the world! I'm so excited to help you adjust to Cal's academic environment and culture. I'm also looking forward to showing you some local gems, like Albany Bulb and the Berkeley Rose Garden as well as anything, anywhere else you would like to see in the Bay Area! I hope to be a resource and also a friendly face at Cal; please reach out if you need anything or just someone to hang out with!

Hi and welcome! I go by Indy, I am a second-year student majoring in Economics and Art Practice, with a minor in Spanish. When I'm not studying or volunteering, you can find me exploring the city, always on the lookout for new places to eat. I also love cooking and I'm constantly looking to expand my recipe collection, so if you're interested, we can swap some of our favorite recipes! Fun Fact: Thai food is my absolute favorite. I can't wait for the day I get to visit Thailand and try all the delicious food. Also, trust me when I say I listen to every genre of music; I am always trying to find new music, so please share some of your favorites with me. I became a CPM to meet new people from all over the world. I'm really looking forward to meeting you all on campus and learning about your unique backgrounds and experiences. If you ever need a study buddy or just want to chat, don't hesitate to reach out.

Hi!! My name is Jennifer Lico. I’m a second year studying Political Science and Social Welfare and minoring in Education! I am originally from Los Angeles and my family is from Mexico and El Salvador. During my free time, I like to try new food, go surfing/swimming, and watch studio ghibli films!!! I also enjoy learning new languages; so far I’ve tried Spanish, French, ASL and a little Tagalog! I want to be a CPM because I love meeting new people and creating community. Feel free to reach out to me if there’s anything you need. I look forward and am excited to meet everyone!

Hi! My name is Katherine and I'm a senior double majoring in Psychology and Sociology. I'm originally from the San Diego area in Southern California and while I miss the white sand beaches and warm weather, I love to explore the Bay Area - visiting the museums, having picnics by the water, visiting the thousands of unique shops and restaurants, and hiking all over! My personal growth has been significantly shaped by my engagement with diverse communities both abroad and on the Berkeley campus. These encounters have offered me a firsthand glimpse into the remarkable potential of cultural exchange to foster mutual understanding. Now, I'm eagerly looking forward to paying forward this enriching experience by assisting international students in navigating their journey at Cal. Welcome to Berkeley!

I'm Krish, a rising senior from UC Berkeley double majoring in Data Science and Industrial Engineering & Operations Research, originally from Mumbai, India. My own journey inspired me to become a Campus Peer Mentor, hoping to ease others' transition into this dynamic environment, much like my mentors did for me. I look forward to sharing experiences, learning from diverse stories, and forming a vibrant, supportive community. On a personal note, I am a huge outdoor enthusiast, spending most of my free time hiking, camping, climbing, and skiing. Besides that, I love playing soccer and am a huge soccer fan. Feel free to reach out if you wish to chat about Cal, soccer, or your favorite trails—I'm excited to embark on this exciting journey with you all.

Hello! My name is Kristie and I am a junior from Irvine, CA majoring in Global Studies. I enjoy learning foreign languages, listening to music, and spending time with my family and friends. I have grown so much through my interactions with diverse communities abroad and on the Berkeley campus and I can't wait to give back and help international students navigate life at Cal. These experiences have allowed me to witness firsthand the power of exchange in fostering mutual understanding and motivated me to become a CPM. I can't wait to help foster these connections and form a community away from home.

Hi everyone! My name is Leben, a junior majoring in Chemical Biology. I grew up in the Bay Area so am excited to learn about other cultures as a CPM while also in turn sharing some of the beautiful sights that I grew up with. I adore meeting new people with their different backgrounds and interests, and I hope to make studying in a foreign country a fun, memorable, and personalized experience; please ask me about activities or places to explore around Berkeley! Outside of classes, I enjoy dancing, reading, baking, and going on walks, especially at dusk or in the early morning. Feel free to reach out with any questions, stories, or jokes!

Heyo, my name is Ryan and I am a second-year studying Materials Science and Engineering. I wanted to become a CPM because I am eager to learn about different cultures and languages. I am from Southern California, love the outdoors, and cannot wait to meet everyone!