Global Alumni
Luv Sodha – A World Citizen
Home Country: India
Degree: BBA, finance and accounting, Fox School of Business, 2013
Occupation: CPA, Audit Senior Associate, Deloitte
Current Location: Philadelphia, PA
Origin of his name: Luv is one of the two sons of God, Lord Rama, in the Hindu religion.
Global upbringing: Grew up in Mumbai, but played tennis competitively round the globe before coming to Temple
Loved about Temple: The diversity--met and made friends with people of many ethnicities, from different countries and cultural backgrounds
Favorite Temple social activity: Free Food Fridays
New cultural experiences: Eating sushi, which he now loves, and celebrating Thanksgiving with turkey and mashed potatoes
American past time he is beginning to enjoy: Football
Fitting in: Adapted his British Indian accent to a more American sound so he can be easily understood
Leadership: Was president of Fox School’s Ascend (group for fostering leadership for Asian and Pacific Islander students pursuing accounting and finance) and is now vice president of Student Affairs for the Philadelphia Chapter
Got his job: Through a contact of Accounting Professor Marco Malandra
How he gives back: Member of Temple’s Young Alumni Donor Association. Volunteer teaches English to immigrants and refugees at the Nationalities Service Center
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Amanda Struer – Promoting International Development
Home Country: Denmark
Degree: MA, political science and international relations, College of Liberal Arts, 2004
Occupation: Associate Director of Development Research, San Jose State University
Current Location: San Jose (Silicon Valley), CA
Favorite aspect of her Temple education: Liked the emphasis on critical thinking, questioning social construction and developing as a human being
Differences between Danish and American universities: 1. In Denmark the final is 100% of the grade (she likes the U.S. system better) 2. In Denmark students address professors by their first name
Easing the transition: Weekly coffee chats that helped her make other international friends, many of whom she is still friendly with
Part-time Temple job: Organized orientations for new international students and worked at the front desk of the Office for International Student Services
Career path: Worked for UNICEF in international development
What she learned: How to analyze, research and write—all activities she continues to use on a daily basis
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Frenanda Guedes - Living Her American Dream
Fernanda Guedes achieved her goal of studying in the United States, made life-long connections and ascended the ranks at Ford Company in Brazil.
Occupation: Supply Chain New Model Launch Leader, Ford Motor Company, Brazil
Degree: BBA , Fox School of Business, 2008
Hometown: São Paulo, Brazil
Overseas Home: “I loved every single aspect at Temple. I always felt at home.”
In Fall 2005, Fernanda Guedes, BBA ’08, carefully took in the entire scene as she stood in the middle of Temple University’s Main Campus for the first time. She saw students of all walks of life scurrying to and from class, sitting on the benches while reading, or catching up with peers by the Bell Tower.
Guedes smiled as she realized she was living her dream.
“Being at an American university was like watching a movie and recalling scenes from it,” she said. “I had the best time of my life at Temple.”
Three years later, Guedes graduated with Bachelor degrees in International Business and Human Resource Management from the Fox School of Business, and developed her experience in international trade, management and logistics. She’s combined her background and experience to excel in the role of the supply chain new model launch leader at Ford Motor Company in Brazil.
Watching U.S. films and television shows, Guedes knew from a young age that she wanted to receive an education in the United States. In 2004, Guedes enrolled in an Au Pair exchange program in New York City, serving as a nanny for a family in the city. Guedes visited a friend who lived in Philadelphia and quickly fell in love with the City of Brotherly Love.
“Philadelphia is a big city where you can find everything you need – from fun nightlife to easy access to nearby beaches – without the crowdedness and craziness of New York,” said Guedes, 33.
When the Au Pair program ended, Guedes moved to Philadelphia to find an undergraduate program for which she could apply. After researching universities, hearing opinions, and weighing her options, Guedes choose Temple.
“At Temple, I always felt at home and I met many fellow international students, and also American friends who’ve always been kind and supportive,” she said. “I never felt out of place.”
–Josh Fernandez
