Selbi Orayeva is a first-year master’s student in Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership (EdPOL) at the University of Washington (UW). Upon arrival, she discovered that she was the only international student from Turkmenistan in her program. Coming from a background in English Literature during her undergraduate studies, she initially worried about keeping up with her coursework. However, she soon realized that her concerns were unfounded—she was not only keeping up but actively participating in class discussions.
Like many international students, Selbi found the sheer size of UW overwhelming. At each school event, Selbi came across more new faces than familiar ones, making it challenging to form stable connections. Developing meaningful connections was even harder among graduate students, many of whom juggle responsibilities at work, at home and beyond.
Her experience took a positive turn when she attended a workshop and learned about CIRCLE, a community that provided a smaller, more intimate environment where she felt comfortable. It was also through CIRCLE that she met her favorite professor, Ziyan, whose teaching and engagement in class deeply inspired her. Recognizing her leadership potential, Selbi decided to join the Student Advisory Board (SAB) to contribute to the international student community and support those facing similar struggles.
As part of SAB’s Liaison Team, Selbi plays a key role in strengthening the connection between CIRCLE and the Graduate and Professional Student Senate (GPSS). She ensures that CIRCLE stays informed about the latest developments by attending meetings and keeping detailed records of discussions and decisions. Additionally, she tracks policy changes and translates complex information into clear insights for her team, fostering better coordination between GPSS and CIRCLE.
Her experience in this role has also deepened her awareness of the cultural nuances that shape how students communicate and build relationships, especially across international lines.
Networking has been one of the most difficult aspects of her transition to UW. She finds Western-style networking—such as cold emailing or messaging on LinkedIn—awkward and unnatural. In her home country, such approaches can feel insincere or transactional, making it difficult for her to understand the underlying logic. This challenge has led her to advocate for clearer guidance from the university on professional networking, particularly for international students who may struggle with these cultural differences.
Looking ahead, Selbi is determined to leverage her role at CIRCLE to foster a more inclusive and supportive environment—one where students feel empowered to form genuine, meaningful connections. Drawing from her own experiences, she hopes to reshape how her community perceives and practices networking, creating a lasting impact on the international student experience at UW.
Author: Eric Zhang | Computer Science