Ahaan Vaknalli (COM ‘26)

Give us your “BU Intro”!

Hi! I’m Ahaan, a second-year Advertising major with a minor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Over the past year, I’ve also been working as an International Student Programming Assistant, which has been a great way to connect with the Boston University community.

How was your transition into your first year of college? How did Boston University support you? What advice would you give to future Terriers?

Honestly, I don’t think the first year of college is as tough as people make it out to be – it’s the second year when things really shift gears. Classes get more demanding, and that initial “first-year excitement” starts to fade. That said, Boston University has a ton of resources that made my first two years enjoyable, whether it was helping me meet new people, explore my interests, or get a better sense of my field and future career paths.

How would you describe the school culture or pride in your own experience? How would you advise international students to find their sense of belonging?

Two words: College hockey. That’s where I feel BU’s school spirit comes alive. The rivalry between Boston schools is real, and if you want to experience it firsthand, a hockey game is the place to be. As for school culture, BU is like any other large university – diverse, inclusive, and full of opportunities to find your niche. My advice for international students? Try to get involved in team-based activities if you want to experience school pride. Whether that’s joining a club, participating in events, or just going to games. It’s a great way to feel part of the BU community.

What was your biggest challenge so far? How did you overcome it?

I’m planning on graduating a year early, so my biggest challenge has been juggling extra coursework, job responsibilities, and my personal life. And to be honest, I haven’t mastered it yet – but I’m figuring it out! Balance is a pretty universal struggle for college students. My strategy is to keep trying out new things every time I feel like something doesn’t work. I also try to slow down and be present as much as I can because it’s easy to let time slip by. Don’t be too hard on yourself – but lock in when you need to.

What has been your employment experience?

BU offers plenty of job opportunities for international students, with JobX being a major resource. Try to apply to as many as you can while also cold-emailing BU departments—I landed my job at Global Programs this way. We work on a monthly newsletter featuring student interviews, campus events, and cultural articles. One of the coolest projects we tackled this year was updating BU’s First Class program, which helps first-year international students with their cultural and academic transition. My experience at Global Programs has strengthened my adaptability, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, especially with writing and research.

What announcement would you like to share with the Boston University community about Global Programs?

We’re hiring this summer! If you’re an international student looking for a flexible and engaging on-campus job, consider joining Global Programs as an International Student Programming Assistant for the 2025-2026 academic year. It’s a great opportunity to build professional skills, connect with the international student community, and contribute to exciting projects that help make BU a more inclusive space. If you’re interested, contact Sheila Hernandez so she can inform you when the job posting is available.