Shipra Rajput always dreamed of studying in the United States. So, when the opportunity
arose to go to college in the U.S., and following a recommendation of a family friend
who lived in the northwest suburbs, Shipra enrolled at 91制片厂 in 2014.
It her first time outside of India, and her hometown, and she wasn鈥檛 sure what to expect as a first-time college student in a new country. But Shipra says 91制片厂 welcomed her in a way she hadn鈥檛 anticipated which greatly impacted her experience.
鈥淚 felt immediate belonging at Harper which made my experience in a new country easier than it could have been,鈥� said Shipra. 鈥淛ill and the International Student Office were amazing, and I knew I could count on them to help me figure things out.鈥�
While a student she worked at the 91制片厂 campus Subway and was considering pre-med or engineering career paths, ultimately deciding on engineering. Shipra felt connected to the 91制片厂 community through her job, her professors, and fellow students.
鈥淓xperiences shape people more than anything else,鈥� said Shipra. 鈥淎nd 91制片厂 really helped me with that sense of belonging.鈥�
It was her experience that keeps 91制片厂 so close to her heart, she says, even now from thousands of miles away in her new home of Salt Lake City, Utah where she resides and works as a Quality Engineer with Edwards Life Sciences. And it was the positive experience that inspired her to give back through the creation of a scholarship with 91制片厂 Educational Foundation for international students studying at 91制片厂 College.
The Karma Foundation Scholarship is an annual scholarship for international students who are enrolled full-time and have a demonstrated financial need. The scholarship was awarded for the first-time last spring to an international student from Turkey.
While Shipra created the scholarship to support international students financially, she is also happy about the possibility of connecting with student recipients to provide an additional avenue of moral support and guidance during their journey abroad. She credits her supportive family and her guru for laying the foundation for success and motivation to give back.
鈥淚 hope to be a small part of someone鈥檚 journey. International students need connection more than anything,鈥� she said. 鈥淪o many people helped me so it is the least I can do to help and let them know that they are not alone in the process.鈥�