In honor of International Students Day on November 17, we spoke to two students at Simmons: undergraduate Madinabonu Abdullaeva ’25, who is majoring in financial mathematics and economics, and graduate student Jisu Hyeon ’25MS, who is pursuing her master of library science (archives management concentration) from the School of Library and Information Science (SLIS). We asked them what led them to Simmons, what it means to study internationally, and their future goals.
Studying at Simmons is an international affair.
Madinabonu Abdullaeva ’25 grew up in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. She came to Simmons to study economics, and is now double-majoring in economics and finance. Her interest in the field began at a young age, when she questioned her father about his work in business.
“I would ask him how he manages expenses and cash flow,” she recalls. “I was always curious.”
Abdullaeva is currently doing her econometrics capstone project with Economics Professor and Program Director Niloufer Sohrabji; Sohrabji grew up in Bombay, India, and sees economics as a way to address global wealth disparity.
“My topic is the impact of exports and imports on the national Gross Domestic Product in the U.S.,” says Abdullaeva.
Jisu Hyeon studied library and information science during her undergraduate studies in South Korea, and spent a year at an academic library working as a researcher at the University Library Development Research Institute.
“During my time as a researcher, I felt that among various international libraries, American libraries stood out for their advanced practices,” says Hyeon. “This realization motivated me to want to work as a librarian in the U.S.“
Hyeon also was drawn to the archives concentration at Simmons.
“This was incredibly appealing to me. I want to fully understand archiving in the context of university libraries and grow into a librarian who can support the institution holistically, including its archiving needs,” she says.
Getting to Simmons from Overseas
The application process can be daunting for any student, and international students are presented with additional challenges.
“It was a long journey,” says Abdullaeva, who received acceptance from institutions in the United Kingdom, as well as Miami and Tampa, Florida.
“Boston has a bunch of universities. It seemed like a good place to fully immerse myself in my education.”
She also was drawn to Simmons for the small class sizes, allowing for one-on-one interaction with faculty. The idea of a women-centered institution also appealed to her.
“Since high school, I’ve done leadership activities,” she says. “I was keen to take on leadership roles. Simmons prepares leaders for the future, and that inspires me.”
Hyeon connected with Simmons through a unique dual-degree partnership between Simmons SLIS and Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea, allowing students to complete one year at Yonsei and one year at Simmons, resulting in earning degrees from both institutions. Hyeon began her course of study during a summer course at Yonsei.
“Since this program requires more credits than a single degree, professors and students from Simmons visit Yonsei during the summer to conduct classes,” says Hyeon.
Support at Simmons for International Students
“Simmons is very diverse, which I appreciate a lot!” says Abdullaeva, who has made connections with other international students on campus. “My roommate is originally from Pakistan. We lived together last year and got along well. My other [suitemates] are from Kazakhstan and Ukraine.” The students decided to live together on the Residence Campus, opting for suite rooms with two double rooms and a shared living space.
Abdullaeva says the Multicultural Center and the Center for Global Education offer many activities and events for international students. “You are meeting with other students, interacting with them and learning [about] their path to Simmons, which is very helpful.”
Hyeon cites her two campus jobs — one in the SLIS Student Service Center, the other in Advancement — as integral to her belonging at Simmons.
“The staff at Simmons is truly warm and proactive. Through my academic work and my collaborations with the university, I feel a stronger sense of belonging,” says Hyeon.
Abdullaeva has also found creature comforts on campus.
“I love our library!” she says. “It’s very quiet, and we can book a room there to study. It’s quiet and cozy, and I feel I can concentrate on my work there.” She has explored the city, too. “One of my favorite places to visit is the Seaport District. It’s gorgeous! I also love the Public Garden. I enjoy just being there with my friends after tough exam days,” she says.
Post-Graduation Career Plans
Last summer, Abdullaeva completed an online internship with the Samex LLC , a financial advisory company. “I reviewed a Debt manual that had existed for 20 years, applying my knowledge to research and update it,” she says.
Looking ahead to her career after graduation, Abdullaeva is eager to explore the breadth of her field.
“I hope to fully apply all the knowledge I've been learning for the last four years and challenge myself, maybe work as a financial advisor or mathematician. I want to try all these fields to know what I'm going to do in the long run,” she says.
For Hyeon, once she completes her degree, she dreams of working as a librarian in the U.S.
“I aspire to work as an academic librarian at a U.S. university, with a particular interest in supporting library users’ research needs,” says Hyeon. “I’m also committed to helping individuals from minority groups and those who face challenges due to diverse backgrounds, aiming to make the library a truly inclusive resource. My goal is to become a librarian who not only understands the unique needs of each information user but also supports them with empathy and respect.”
Advice for Prospective International Students
Abdullaeva is eager to offer encouragement to students considering studying overseas.
“Don’t be afraid! When I was first applying and first coming here, I was scared. I was afraid that I could not make a friendship with other students,” she says. She was anxious about her coursework, too. “English is not my first language, and I was afraid I wouldn’t understand the material.”
Visiting faculty during their office hours helped her clarify any issues she had in her courses, and she found the faculty eager to help.
“Thanks to the Simmons faculty and my friends, [English] now feels like my native language,” she says.
For Hyeon, the challenges that international students face can benefit them in the long term.
“You might be worried about the challenges of leaving the familiar environment in which you grew up. I can assure you that this place will welcome you warmly,” says Hyeon.
She notes that it’s natural to feel like “a beginner again,” when studying in a new country.
“Even though you might have achieved a lot in your home country, it may feel like you’re starting over,” says Hyeon. “But it’s precisely because of that feeling that you’ll be able to grow. When the dots of your experiences at Simmons eventually connect, it will all come back to you. I’m cheering for you whenever that day comes.”