Name: Sabrina Arreola

Hometown: Guatemala City, Guatemala

Area of study: Computer Science & Data Science

Introduce yourself by telling us your name, pronouns, year, major, and hometown. 

My name is Sabrina Arreola, and my pronouns are she/her. I am a senior studying Computer Science with a minor in Data Science. I am from Guatemala City, Guatemala.

What was your college application experience like? What led you to commit to DePaul?

My college application process was very easy and understandable. Overall, what led me to commit to DePaul was, besides the great financial assistance I got, how involved my admission counselor was throughout the process. I felt supported, and that made the difference.

Tell us about your major. How did you decide on your program?

I decided to switch my major in my second year. I used to have a major in Film and Television with a concentration in Visual Effects and minor in Computer Science. As I took more and more classes, I realized I enjoyed and connected way more with computer science. The process to switch majors and transfer credits was really easy.

What has the classroom experience been like at DePaul? What are some connections you’ve made with your professors, both inside and outside your coursework?

For me, the classroom sizes at DePaul are perfect and truly make a difference in my learning experience. I have been able to create connections not only with classmates but also with professors as well. It makes the professors so approachable.

Have you stayed in on-campus housing? What was that experience like? 

I stayed in on-campus housing my freshman year. I had a great experience where I met my closest friends and my main friend group. Living on-campus was way better than I thought! I loved being surrounded by other students and how we would always have something to do. In my experience, the dorm was better than I expected.

What does support for international students look like on DePaul’s campus? 

I have always felt supported in every way. I think it can look different to each person depending on their needs, but I always find the right resource for my needs.

How has DePaul prepared you for your post-graduation career? 

I’ve gained a lot of practical experience from classes and DePaul has offered a lot of networking experiences.

Tell us about a close friend of yours on campus. How did you meet them? What do you do in your free time together? 

I met my best friend at the dorms. We were roommates and since then, we have been inseparable. Together, we have taken classes, gone to events, and become each other's workout buddy. In our free time, we run and train together. We even trained for a whole year to run the Chicago Marathon!

What advice do you have for students considering or applying to DePaul? 

DePaul has a lot to offer, more than you can think of. The school and Chicago will definitely open many doors and show you a side of yourself you don’t think exists.

Name: Mehrukh Hassan

Hometown: Lahore, Pakistan

Area of study: Economic Data Analysis

Introduce yourself by telling us your name, pronouns, year, major, and hometown. 

My name is Mehrukh Hassan, and my pronouns are she/her. I am in my senior year starting this fall majoring in Economics and Data Analytics. I was born and raised in Lahore, Pakistan.

What was your college application experience like? What led you to commit to DePaul?

I applied through an external counsellor. DePaul was quick to answer all my queries and questions and felt like the right fit for me as it was one of the few schools that offered the major I wanted to study. Furthermore, DePaul being in a city like Chicago was an added bonus, as I wanted to be in a big city rather than a college town.

Tell us about your major. How did you decide on your program?

My major is Economics and Data Analytics. Growing up, I was always fascinated by how the dollar kept fluctuating against the Pakistani Rupee. I was keen to understand why a 100 Rupee note that I once used to buy multiple things, slowly reduced to little to no value. This interest sparked my passion to research and analyze different trends and reasons behind this economic theory; therefore, I knew early on this is what I want to study.

What has the classroom experience been like at DePaul? What are some connections you’ve made with your professors, both inside and outside your coursework?

What I love about DePaul is that all my major related classes are small which makes it easier to make connections with professors and peers.

How are you involved on campus? How did you get connected to those opportunities?

I am part of the founding team of DePaul's first cricket club, and I work as the social media manager for the club. I also was part of the fraternity, AKPsi, where I organized different events and helped the fraternity grow connections, that one of my first friends at DePaul introduced me to. Furthermore, I have worked as a tour guide for DePaul office of admissions and now continue to work as part of the International Admissions, where I feel like I contribute and am able to help international students like me, during a stressful and important stage of their life.

What does support for international students look like on DePaul’s campus? 

At DePaul, the ISS office is able to help with any visa or travel related queries and is always able to suggest the best form of action. As a Pakistani student, I wanted to feel connected to my community for which DePaul has it's Pakistan Student Association. There are a large variety of clubs for people from all different backgrounds.

How has DePaul prepared you for your post-graduation career? 

DePaul has helped me form connections and provided me with skills I will need in my post-grad career. While being part of AKPsi, I was able to develop my public speaking skills and have learnt how to contribute and stand out in a corporate environment.

Tell us about a close friend of yours on campus. How did you meet them? What do you do in your free time together? 

Most of my close friends on campus graduated this June. But one of my first friends at DePaul was Danesh, who is also from Pakistan. We met because of the fraternity I rushed for and had to schedule interviews with 20 brothers from the fraternity. Danesh was one of them, and when we met, he pulled out some long missed Pakistani snacks, on which we instantly bonded. We have multiple mutual friends and enjoy hanging out at home and playing board games some nights, trying out new food places together as we both love food, we also enjoy going to concerts, festivals, and raves together as we have similar music taste!

What would your perfect day traveling around Chicago look like? 

I would grab pastries from Paris Baguette and bike to the lake first. Then, I would stroll around the grand park area and meet a friend for brunch at Broken English Taco Pub. I would go to Michigan Avenue and shop, and then I'd like to go to Federales in West Loop for dinner and catching up with friends.

What advice do you have for students considering or applying to DePaul? 

If they feel like they can fit into the big city life, it is the perfect place, because Chicago is a balance between New York and Boston, so you are able to have the best of both worlds due to DePaul having 2 campuses. I would suggest looking for what major suits them and see if DePaul meets their requirements. And to come in with an open mind to meet, explore and discover new things, people and places. It takes a while to adjust but you can always rely on the resources at DePaul to help you settle down. It is okay to feel overwhelmed when you're starting a completely new life, but it is important to remember, every new beginning leads to something better and greater for you!

Name: Ayana Kurumshieva

Hometown: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Area of study: Computer Science & Economics

Introduce yourself by telling us your name, pronouns, year, major, and hometown. 

My name is Ayana Kurumshieva, and I am a sophomore at DePaul University studying Computer Science and Economics. My pronouns are she/her. My hometown is Bishkek: the capital of Kyrgyzstan.

What was your college application experience like? What led you to commit to DePaul?

I graduated from a public high school with limited support and experience to guide students who want to apply for universities in the USA. Therefore, my experience was challenging and overwhelming, as I had to research the application process a lot on my own. DePaul University was one of the first institutions I added to my list of universities in CommonApp. As soon as I did that, I began receiving emails with information about further steps, invitations for the sessions with counselors, and reminders about important deadlines. Moreover, I asked many questions through email and always received clear and helpful answers within one or two business days. DePaul University and its Admission Department helped me to succeed in the application process I was not familiar with before. I had not encountered such a welcoming and supportive approach for international students at other universities. While DePaul’s attentiveness and support for international students were the significant reasons in my decision to choose this school, they were not the only factors.

The university's values, its commitment to make a positive impact in the world, the diverse student body, professors who are great specialists in their fields, and the affordability of DePaul also played a crucial role for me to become a Blue Demon!

Tell us about your major. How did you decide on your program?

During my senior year, while applying to colleges, I decided on my major, which I know is considered a bit late. I asked myself three important questions: “What am I good at?”, “What do I actually enjoy?”, and “How helpful can I be doing it?” And the answers were clear: I am good at math and enjoy problem-solving, applying mathematical and logical thinking. As a result, I concluded that the rapidly growing IT field and Economics would be the perfect match for me. Here, at DePaul, I have a perfect opportunity to study both areas equally, as DePaul offers enormous opportunities for students interested in various fields. I could find an intersection of both of my interests and hope that it will lead me to have a meaningful impact on the world’s banking system by applying new technologies, using the knowledge and experience I gain from DePaul.

What has the classroom experience been like at DePaul? What are some connections you’ve made with your professors, both inside and outside your coursework?

After studying at DePaul for a year I can confidently say that I have never had a bad experience in my classes. All the professors who taught me were great specialists providing comprehensive knowledge, and supportive educators who genuinely care about their students. They consistently were prepared for the class, integrating innovative methods to help students retain information effectively. I could see that they care about the solid education their students receive and genuinely wanted everyone to succeed in the class.

I would also like to highlight the small size of classes, which provides more opportunities to ask questions and receive clear feedback. This setting allowed me to create strong connections with my classmates and facilitate more time to discuss my academic performance with professors.

What does support for international students look like on DePaul’s campus? 

DePaul University has an International Student & Scholar Service department that has advising sessions and hosts numerous events throughout the year. International students can join a meeting and ask any questions about their immigration status, documentation, and visas. During my first year they organized sessions for international students with tips and general information about health insurance, doctor appointments, opening bank cards, etc.

Announcements of events are posted on the DeHub platform and on their Instagram page. It is a great resource to utilize for intentional students, as they can create new connections, meet like-minded people, and experience American student life culture.

Additionally, there are also opportunities for international students to gain leadership skills, which will be incredibly beneficial in the future. After the freshman year, international students can apply for mentorship roles for incoming students and other volunteer positions. I think this initiative strengthens the international student community by fostering a sense of belonging and support.

What would you recommend to someone visiting Chicago for the first time? 

My biggest piece of advice would be to pay attention not only to tourist attractions but also to explore your own hidden gems. Chicago is home to plenty of vibrant neighborhoods and amazing spots. DePaul also provides the CTA U-pass for all students, which provides unlimited access to the subways and buses throughout the city. I highly recommend using this tool as it makes traveling a lot easier. One of my favorite areas is Lincoln Park, where our main campus is located. I suggest walking through the streets of Lincoln Park to take in the atmosphere of its historic architecture, parks, and the Lincoln Park Zoo. I enjoy taking classes at our Lincoln Park campus because afterward, I can visit various nearby attractions. Within walking distance, there are beautiful gardens, a hidden lily pond, a historic indoor botanical garden, and plenty of lakefront green space that offers sweeping views of the city.

Name: Vinh Nguyen

Hometown: Hanoi, Vietnam

Area of study: Economic Data Analysis

Introduce yourself by telling us your name, pronouns, year, major, and hometown. 

My name is Vinh. I go by he/him, and I am a senior here at DePaul studying Economic Data Analytics. My hometown is Hanoi, Vietnam.

What was your college application experience like? What led you to commit to DePaul?

I transferred to DePaul from Kalamazoo College in Michigan. The transfer process was smooth and straightforward, which made the transition easy. I chose DePaul because of its strong career-oriented academics, the vibrant location with many professional opportunities, and the welcoming support I received from the admissions team.

Tell us about your major. How did you decide on your program?

I’m majoring in Economic Data Analytics because it combines my interest in economics with the practical skills of data science. I enjoy working with data to understand markets and solve real-world business problems. After taking introductory courses in economics and statistics, I realized this program would give me both strong analytical training and career flexibility in finance, consulting, or technology.

What has the classroom experience been like at DePaul? What are some connections you’ve made with your professors, both inside and outside your coursework?

The classroom experience at DePaul has been very engaging and personal. With class sizes never exceeding 50 students, it’s easy to build close relationships with professors. I’ve gotten to know several of my professors well, one of them even joins me for occasional pickleball games outside of class, which makes learning feel even more connected and supported.

How are you involved on campus? How did you get connected to those opportunities?

I stay involved by playing intramural sports and attending career events. These activities help me stay active, meet new people, and build professional connections.

What does support for international students look like on DePaul’s campus? 

The International Student Success (ISS) office has been amazing. I quickly made friends there, and they’ve supported me with paperwork for traveling in and out of the U.S. as well as challenges of being far from home.

How has DePaul prepared you for your post-graduation career? 

DePaul professors' lecture always fill with real-world examples and applications, which helps me develop practical skills and prepares me well for my career after graduation.

What would your perfect day traveling around Chicago look like? 

My perfect day would start with brunch downtown, then exploring the lakefront or Millennium Park. In the afternoon, I’d visit a museum or catch a game, and finish the day with dinner and walking around the Riverwalk at night.

What advice do you have for students considering or applying to DePaul? 

If you’re considering DePaul, be clear about what you expect from a college environment and make sure DePaul offers those values and resources. If you’re applying, be proactive, most needed information is available online, so utilize your time with admission counselors to ask only the questions you can’t find yourself.