Universiteit Leiden

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Student Panel

The Humanities POPcorner student panel consists of 4 student members, all from different study programmes. This ensures that the POPcorner FGW student panel is able to represent a larger group. The panel organizes activities such as promotions, lectures, excursions, and get-togethers, thus contributing to the POPcorner community.

Sinan Zhao

Hi! My name is Sinan, I am 19 years old and I am a first-year student studying philosophy here at Leiden. As an international student who studied in China, the US, and Denmark before coming to the Netherlands, I can totally relate to the struggles and challenges students face after coming into a new environment, and hopefully I can provide some help when you need someone to talk to! The POPcorner student panel holds the initiative of students helping students, which grants us a way to look at potential changes through students’ perspectives! Hope to see you soon at one of the POPcorner workshops ( ´` )

Manal Daddah

Hi everyone! I'm Manal, a first-year Bachelor student majoring in Middle Eastern studies at the Faculty of Humanities. Additionally, I serve as the coordinator for the Humanities Master's Buddy Programme and am a member of the POP Panel at Leiden University. I'm passionate about enhancing student life by fostering connections among students and promoting diverse activities within the university. I hope that, in this manner, I can contribute to the improvement of student life here! 

Yüsra Hilal

Hi there! My name is Yüsra Hilal, and I'm a Linguistics master's student currently working on my thesis. I'm also a passionate language teacher at a language and culture school and a content intern at a company, trying to gain experience. Studying in Leiden was my first experience of studying abroad, which was challenging initially, but I am grateful for it as it has been the best decision I have ever made. Apart from my academic and professional life, I enjoy spending time in nature, spending time with my friends, and learning languages. I also love catching up with my adorable 3-year-old niece over video calls. I hope to see you soon at the POPcorner!

Want to join the Student Panel

For more information - or to sign up - send an email to POPcorner@hum.leidenuniv.nl.

Sinan Zhao

Hi! My name is Sinan, I am 19 years old and I am a first-year student studying philosophy here at Leiden. As an international student who studied in China, the US, and Denmark before coming to the Netherlands, I can totally relate to the struggles and challenges students face after coming into a new environment, and hopefully I can provide some help when you need someone to talk to! The POPcorner student panel holds the initiative of students helping students, which grants us a way to look at potential changes through students’ perspectives! Hope to see you soon at one of the POPcorner workshops ( ´▽` )ノ

Pola Zabuska

Hey everyone, my name is Pola, I am 20 years old, and I come from Poland! I am currently in my second year of BA International Studies in the Hague and my interests concern inequality, education, as well as youth participation. Therefore, I decided to join Popcorner Panel to promote the importance of diversity, inclusion, and well-being among students of our faculty. Furthermore, since I am an international student who experienced some struggles with moving abroad and adjusting to new circumstances, I can bring that important perspective to our panel’s discussion. Hope to see you soon during one of our events!

Olga Jimenez

Hi! My name is Olga, my pronouns are she/her and I'm 18 years old ! I am half Spanish and half French so feel free to talk to me in French or Spanish. I study the BA International Studies and I love simple things such as flowers or coffees. I love learning new things and I'm always up for new experiences ! 

Besos, Olga <3 

Siegnouly Apostel

Hi, my name is Siegnouly, I am 23 years old. I was born in the Netherlands, but my parents were both born in Curaçao. I'm studying English language and culture and I'm in my first year. Baking and reading are my hobbies. Hopefully I'll see you soon!

Sinan Zhao

Hi! My name is Sinan, I am 19 years old and I am a first-year student studying philosophy here at Leiden. As an international student who studied in China, the US, and Denmark before coming to the Netherlands, I can totally relate to the struggles and challenges students face after coming into a new environment, and hopefully I can provide some help when you need someone to talk to! The POPcorner student panel holds the initiative of students helping students, which grants us a way to look at potential changes through students’ perspectives! Hope to see you soon at one of the POPcorner workshops ( ´▽` )ノ

Sahba Manouchehri

My name is Sahba Manouchehri and I am doing my Master’s in Linguistics -Language and Communication- at Leiden University. Being a student in Humanities means having concerns and willingness to discover deeper parts of self and find one’s role and mission within the community, and I believe it is unattainable without communication and connection, and sharing with each other in our University. I’d love to and hope to be able to help POPcorner be a place where students find a sense of belonging and everyone has the chance to freely express themselves!

Nadien Abou Elmagd

Hi! My name is Nadien Abou Elmagd – a student at both the Faculty of Humanities and the Faculty of Law. I am currently a fourth year student at Leiden University. I also have a bicultural background. With the help of all the knowledge and experience I gained as a student, I hope to be able to help other students. I also hope to be able to offer students a listening ear, to make them feel at home and to let them go back to their classes with confidence! I love that there is a place like the POPcorner to provide students with a safe space and I am proud to be a part of this.

Fons van de Wetering

My name is Fons van de Wetering, MA Student of Russian and Eurasian Studies and member of the Humanities POPCorner for this year. As a first-generation student I used to look at university as just a learning institution, and I was unaware of all the opportunities and support systems that it has. In the coming year I want to work to make all students not only feel at home, but confident to make the most of their time in university.

Dasha Lohvynova

Hi! My name is Dasha, I am 20 years old and I am a second-year student. I believe that POPcorner is a very great initiative which can help to enrich as well as to enhance students’ experiences and life during their study at Leiden University. I joined Panel since I want to contribute to such initiative and help students to feel at university as at home where they always have a place to turn to for anything and just have nice time, finding new friends and hobbies.

Sonida Sok

My name is Sonida Sok. I am currently studying International Studies and taking the minor Global Affairs. As a first-generation student, I understand very well how difficult it can be to find your own way at university. By joining the student panel I hope to create a community in which students can feel at ease. Especially in these times, such a home feeling is extremely important!

Nasreen Javanjoo

My name is Nasreen Javanjoo and I am in my second year of the BA Religious Studies. I think it is important that all students at the university can find their own place and that they are helped as well as possible. This is currently a challenge for many and I think that many students could use a helping hand. I would like to create a welcome environment to make life as a student just that little bit easier and more fun.

Zahraa Abdul Kadir

Hi, my name is Zahraa Abdul Kadir. I am studying Middle Eastern Studies, and this year I can be part of the POPcorner student panel! For me it is very important to feel at home at university, and especially in times like these, it is nice to know that you have somewhere to go! I therefore hope that, despite the limited possibilities, we can offer support to everyone who needs it!

Janessa Vleghert

My name is Janessa Vleghert. I am a student assistant at the Humanities POPcorner and a member of the student panel at the POPcorner. I study English Language and Culture and take a minor in Digital Humanities. I came into contact with the POPcorner when I needed support. Now I want to offer the same support to other students.

L'Aurora Mazzitelli

My name is L'Aurora Mazzitelli and I am now in the second year of the BA English Language and Culture programme. I am a first generation student, which means that no one else in my family has ever studied at a university. Gianelle has helped me with every question I could think of and has given me a little insight into the workings of the uni. I wanted to be on the panel so that I could help students like me. 

Carolina Lins Machado

My name is Carolina and I'm an MA student of Theoretical and Experimental Linguistics. I first came in contact with the POPCorner after attending a POPTalk in 2018. Besides being a panel member, I also volunteer at the Meeting Point, which offers support for refugee students. I believe the POPcorner is an important place not just for first generation students, but for all students needing help or guidance when it comes to their academic life.

Ebrar Kaya

My name is Ebrar Kaya. I studied Religious Studies and am currently studying Middle Eastern Studies. It is very important to me that students can feel at home in both the university and their study programme. This results in fewer dropouts and more students with a passion for their research field. Hopefully, as POPcorner panel, we will be able to increase this sense of home among our fellow students.  

Emma Oosterink

My name is Emma Oosterink and I am a student of International Studies at the Wijnhaven location in The Hague! I joined the student panel of the Humanities POPcorner, because I think it is very important that the university is a place where all students can feel comfortable and at home. As I come in touch with international students in my study programme, I would like them to feel more represented.

Pepijn Bouwmans

I am Pepijn, I am 23 years old and this year I am helping out at the POPcorner of the Faculty of Humanities. I am in the last year of my bachelor's programme and I am a member of the faculty board. I also like to cook, play sports, and have fun.

Sam Saifullahzadeh

Hello everyone, my name is Sam Saifullahzadeh and I'm a third-year Modern Middle Eastern Studies student. I first came into contact with the POPcorner because I am helping a first-year student improve his Dutch. I then joined the student panel, because I think it is important that students with a non-Dutch background should be able to receive help when it comes to language, study skills and integration.

Hezja Mahmood

My name is Hezha Mahmood. I am a student assistant at the Humanities POPcorner and a member of the student panel at the POPcorner. I study Middle Eastern Studies with a specialization in Modern Middle East. I chose to join the POPcorner because I am a first-generation student myself and in my first year at university I struggled to feel "at home”. I personally think there are more students facing the same problem and together with the POPcorner and the other panel members we want to make you feel at home.

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