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Meet the 2026-2027 Student Ambassadors

Contact the Ambassadors: isap@pepperdine.edu

Ayla-Elea Olsen Morales

• Junior, Major: Finance
• Minor: Accounting

Hello! My name is Ayla and I am so excited to meet all of you this year. I was born in Oslo, Norway and grew up in Guatemala. Despite having two completely different backgrounds I am extremely close to my family. During dinners we will often mix Norwegian and Spanish to communicate with one another. I went to an international High School and my favorite thing to do is travel, so I love to have friends I can visit all around the world. Some other things I enjoy doing are : reading, running and cooking. I understand that moving away for college can seem intimidating, but we are here to help you as you transition into Pepperdine! International students make Pepperdine so special and we are lucky to have you. Please reach out with any questions, or if you simply want to talk I would love to get to know you!  I am always here to help:) 

Eric Huang

• Junior, Major: Business Administration

• Favorite Food: Uni (Sea Urchin)

Hey everyone, I'm Eric! Born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil, with Taiwanese and Hong Kong roots, I know firsthand what it feels like to carry more than one culture with you wherever you go. Coming to Pepperdine as an international student means navigating a new country, a new campus, and a whole new chapter of life, and I want you to know that you are not doing that alone.

Outside of class, you will probably find me on the basketball court, at the pool, on the golf course, or in the kitchen experimenting with a new recipe. I also play the trombone, love to travel, and make time to journal, because sometimes you just need to slow down and process it all.

As an international student myself, I know that the hardest part is not leaving everything you called home, but finding your footing in a place that does not yet feel like home. Whether you have questions about campus life, need someone to talk to, or just want to find the best food spots near Malibu, I am here for all of it. No question is too small and no conversation is too random.

Welcome to Pepperdine, I cannot wait to meet you!

Jennifer Li

• Junior, Major: Business Administration
• Favorite Food: Tteokbokki, Sushi
• Clubs: CSSA, Women In Finance

Hello! My name is Jennifer Li, and I’m excited to serve as one of your International Student Ambassadors this year. I am originally from China and currently studying Business Administration with a minor in Data Science at Pepperdine. Coming to college in a different country was both exciting and challenging for me. Moving away from home and adapting to a new environment taught me a lot about independence and stepping outside of my comfort zone. Over time, Pepperdine became a place where I was able to grow academically and personally while meeting people from many different backgrounds and cultures. Outside of class, I enjoy traveling, playing golf, exploring new restaurants, and spending time with friends. I’m also very interested in business, media, and how data can be used to better understand people and global trends.

As an international student myself, I understand that adjusting to a new school and culture can sometimes feel overwhelming at first. I hope to help make international students feel more welcomed and supported within the Pepperdine community. Please feel free to reach out if you ever have questions or just want to connect — I’m looking forward to meeting all of you!

Maria Eugenia

• Senior, Major: Public Relations
• Minor: Italian and French Studies
• Favorite Food: Lemon Risotto
• Clubs/Organizations: BRASA (Brazilian Student Association) and CIAO (Cultural Italian-American Organization)

Hello! My name is Maria Eugenia and I am an Italian-Brazilian student. I was born in São Paulo, where I attended a British school and moved to Los Angeles for my last two years of high school. I am currently studying Public Relations, Italian and French. I love to travel and studied abroad in Florence with Pepperdine International Programs for a semester. I enjoy learning languages and about different cultures. In my free time, I am always exploring LA, watching Formula 1, painting pottery and hanging out with friends. Our international community has deeply enriched my experience at Pepperdine and I hope it will do the same for you! As ambassador, I want you all to feel that you have a community here to support you while adapting to a new country and college life! If you need anything, don’t hesitate to reach out!

Noelia Martel Bedwell

• Junior, Major: Psychology
• Favorite Food: Pastel de Choclo (Chilean dish)

Hi everyone! My name is Noelia, and I’m so excited to serve as one of your International Student Ambassadors this year! I’m a junior majoring in Psychology on the pre-med track. I was born and raised in Concepción, Chile, where I attended a British school before moving to California to study at Pepperdine.

Growing up, I was lucky to travel to many different countries with my family, which opened my eyes to new cultures and made me realize how much I love meeting new people and learning about their different backgrounds and experiences. Last semester, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Heidelberg, Germany, and I absolutely loved the experience. If you have the chance to participate in one of Pepperdine’s international programs, I would highly recommend it!

In my free time, I love baking, going to the beach, trying new food places, and watching soccer. One of my favorite parts about Pepperdine has been meeting people from all over the world and building friendships with people I probably would have never met otherwise. The sense of community I found here has truly made Pepperdine feel like a home away from home.

All of the ambassadors know firsthand how exciting, but also overwhelming, it can feel to move away from home and start over in a completely new environment. That is why I’m really eager to help incoming students feel comfortable, supported, and connected here at Pepperdine. Whether you have questions, need advice, want someone to study with, or simply want someone to hang out with, please never hesitate to reach out. I can’t wait to meet all of you and help make your transition to Pepperdine as smooth and meaningful as possible!

Vladimir

• Senior, Major: Economics and Screen Arts
• Clubs/Organizations: Alpha Kappa Psi, WaveTech       
• Fav foods: Short Ribs and Sushi

Hey everyone! I'm Vlad. I was born in Texas but spent most of my childhood growing up in Peru. Coming from a multicultural and multiethnic family with roots across several countries has given me a genuine appreciation for different perspectives and for building meaningful connections with people from all walks of life.

Outside of class, you'll usually find me playing basketball, trying new restaurants, keeping up with fashion, or listening to and making music.

One thing Pepperdine has taught me is that some of the most meaningful experiences come from stepping outside your comfort zone. Whether that's getting involved on campus, trying something new, or simply starting a conversation with someone you don't know, you never know where those opportunities might lead.

Whether you have questions about campus, need advice, want to talk something through, or are simply looking for someone to grab a meal, shoot some hoops, listen to music, or just hang out, don't hesitate to reach out. I'm always happy to chat, and I'd love to get to know everyone. Looking forward to meeting you all and having a great year together!

Stasia Kryk

• Major: Production and Design
• Minor: Art

Hi! My name is Stasia, and I’m from Windsor, Ontario, Canada. I’m majoring in Production and Design with a minor in Art. Moving from Canada to California was a huge change for me, so I understand all the emotions that come with beginning this new chapter of your life. Before coming to Pepperdine, I was a high-performance tennis player and competed around the world. I started playing when I was three years old and continued through my senior year of high school, balancing both academics and athletics. Now, much of my time is spent working as a designer for Pepperdine’s productions. I especially love scenic design and painting because they allow me to combine my creativity with my passion for storytelling. My dream is to become a Walt Disney Imagineer and help create immersive experiences that make people feel like they have stepped into another world.

Coming to Pepperdine has been the biggest change of my life. Starting completely from scratch was nerve-racking at first, but it has turned into one of the best experiences of my life. Pepperdine has introduced me to incredible people whom I now consider more like family than friends, while also giving me opportunities both inside and outside the classroom. I’m always happy to answer questions, share my experience, or simply be a familiar face on campus. I can’t wait to meet and get to know everyone!