Kainat Basharmal
Hi Aggies!
My name is Kainat Basharmal, and I’m running to be your next ASUCD International Student Representative!
Born in Asia, raised in Europe, and now a college student in America. Three continents, one representative.
Having navigated through three countries, languages, and education systems, I know firsthand how isolating and intimidating it can feel to be in a new country, far from home and support.
That is why I am running to represent you and your needs!
My main goals if elected are to ensure each and every student feels seen, supported, and at home here at UC Davis. I want to ensure our institution is not simply a place of study, but a place we can all call home. In order to accomplish this goal, I want to implement regular meetings and hangouts where international students from all over the world can unite, share their experiences, and speak up about challenges and uncertainty they face. Currently, many of our international students aren’t familiar with the ISR and are missing out on valuable guidance. I want to change that by making resources more accessible and encouraging greater student involvement in the ISR role.
Additionally, in order to make UC Davis feel like a second home, we must guarantee every student has a space where they can rest, recharge, and feel comfortable on campus. Thousands of UC Davis students who live off campus or commute spend long hours on campus between classes, work, and late-night commitments, yet there are limited spaces designed for rest and comfort. Many students experience large gaps in their schedules with nowhere to go, often forced to rest in crowded and loud areas, showing how current campus spaces fail to meet students' needs. I will advocate for designated student spaces that include comfortable lounges, quiet rest areas, and short-term rest options such as nap pods, which have been successfully implemented at other universities to support students' well-being and productivity.
Next, I want to help our international students get the most out of their time here in the United States. They left their homes to pursue something greater, and I want to support them every step of the way. The process of getting a job or internship as an international student can be difficult, so I want to implement a system where experienced UC Davis students can be peer mentors to newer students, assisting with resume writing, job search, applications, and interview preparation. Additionally, I will implement a Language Accessibility Program so students don’t rely on Google Translate and instead have peer support to navigate language barriers.
Lastly, I want to ensure the International Student Representative is not just a title, but a support system our students can truly rely on. My goal is to include every student in the ISR role as much as I can in order to fully support everyone's needs.
Vote Kainat Basharmal for International Student Representative, a vision for ASUCD that truly supports its students, because far from home shouldn’t mean feeling alone!