iSucceed is a peer mentor program exclusively for SJSU international students, designed to help them navigate arrival and campus life through their first year at San Jose State University. New incoming international students are paired with a peer mentor where they help navigate SJSU campus life, participate in activities, build connections with fellow Global Spartans and also be a friend and guide. We’ve spotlight a few of our amazing Peer Mentors below!
Sohail Ahmed
Major: MS Data Analytics
Hometown: Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, India
Why did you decide to become a Peer Mentor?
In order to share my experience and provide information about available campus resources that could help new incoming international students, as well as to create a welcoming environment to help them settle into a new place.
What do you enjoy about being a part of the iSucceed Program?
This program helps bring people together through various small activities and provides opportunities to connect with others and build lasting relationships.
What types of activities are you involved in at SJSU or in the community? (besides iSucceed)
I previously served as a student representative on the Student Fairness Committee from the AS Senate.
What message do you have for our Global Spartan community?
Enjoy the experience, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you need help or advice. People are usually very helpful.
Ambarish Govindarajulu Kaliamurthi
Major: MS Computer Science
Hometown: Chennai, India
Why did you decide to become a Peer Mentor?
Mentors are usually someone who has faced issues that you might be currently facing. I too faced or learnt things in my time here and I thought maybe others ought to know these cause it would make it easier for them.
What do you enjoy about being a part of the iSucceed Program?
The people here are quite friendly and are very much willing to help.
What types of activities are you involved in at SJSU or in the community? (besides iSucceed)
Volunteering, community organizations.
What message do you have for our Global Spartan community?
You got it. Keep pushing through 🔥
Prithvi Pratahkal
Major: MS General Engineering
Hometown: Bangalore, India
Why did you decide to become a Peer Mentor?
I decided to become a Peer Mentor because I enjoy helping others and want to make a positive impact on students who are new to the university. Having been in their shoes, I understand how overwhelming it can feel at first, and I want to be someone they can rely on for guidance and support. It’s also a great way for me to give back to the community that helped me when I first started.
What do you enjoy about being a part of the iSucceed Program?
I enjoy being a part of the iSucceed Program because it gives me the opportunity to connect with new students and help them feel more comfortable at the university. I also appreciate the leadership experience I gain through mentoring, as well as the chance to network with other mentors and staff. Plus, the great snacks at every meeting are a fun bonus!
What types of activities are you involved in at SJSU or in the community? (besides iSucceed)
Coordinator Design in Social media team at Indian Students Organization
What message do you have for our Global Spartan community?
The effort everyone puts into helping each other succeed is inspiring, and I’m grateful to be a part of it.
Mithi Pandey
Major: MS Computer Science
Hometown: India
Why did you decide to become a Peer Mentor?
I decided I wanted to be a peer mentor, because often times my friends would refer to me as the person with too much information about everything. And I just thought it would be a good idea to put it to good use by helping others!
What do you enjoy about being a part of the iSucceed Program?
I love being part of the iSucceed community because every semester, I meet so many new people from different disciplines and I’m able to make many new friends from all across the globe. I also enjoy the All Hands events a lot because they’re really relaxing and chill while we all do some kind of a fun activity!
What types of activities are you involved in at SJSU or in the community? (besides iSucceed)
I’ve been a student assistant for the Civil Engineering Department for 3 years now. Currently, I am also a CS department mentor! Other than that, I am a member of student clubs like Mosaic, Chi Ep, The SJSU Ceramics Guilds, SWE, and the CS Club.
What message do you have for our Global Spartan community?
To the Global Spartan Community, I’d say, embrace this unique journey of being by yourself in a different country, living life! Being an international student is difficult in many different ways but just hold tight to your friends and stay close to them during this upcoming festive season!