Sattar chose UD in part because of its geographic location. 

“You’re just hours away from New York, D.C., and Philly is right here,” he said.

He also selected UD because it’s a top-tier research institution. Sattar studies the bacteria that causes tuberculosis alongside his mentor, Vijay Parashar, assistant professor of medical and molecular sciences. 

“I have a passion for problem-solving, and disease is among the hardest problems to solve,” Sattar said. “I’ve had many relatives with severe illnesses — some didn’t make it — and it made me realize that in the medical field, there’s so many discoveries to be made, and that motivates me every day.” 

He called Parashar a supportive mentor.

“I have strong opinions about the direction I want to take in my experiments, and Dr. Parashar guides me while giving me the freedom to explore and try new things,” he said. 

Brigette Romero Carpio

Brigette Romero Carpio, who’s from Ecuador, is a fourth-year doctoral student in medical sciences. She arrived at UD a few months before the COVID-19 pandemic and faced challenges adjusting to online coursework in a new place far from home. 

“The professors were always asking if they could help me, and now, I feel much more at home and safer than in my home country, where there are security concerns,” said Romero. “I’m happy to be here and appreciate access to all the mental health and wellbeing resources.”

She’d been to the U.S. once before to take English classes and chose UD because the medical sciences Ph.D. program has helped her develop hands-on laboratory skills. Romero works alongside Mona Batish, an associate professor of medical and molecular sciences, and collaborates with Nemours Children’s Health to identify cerebral palsy (CP) biomarkers using circular RNA.  

“We are trying to determine what happens in the muscles of patients with CP so we can diagnose the disease earlier,” she said. 

Romero Carpio initially wanted to be a physician, but at UD, she discovered she loves working behind the scenes.

“I like working with cells, and even though I’m not working directly with patients, I can still contribute to the field and possibly a cure,” she said. 

Her advice for fellow students coming to UD from South America:

“Take extra English language classes so you’re ready to share your research,” she said. “And be open to trying new things — don’t be scared. UD will help you find your way.” 

Bright Ayensu 

Bright Ayensu came to UD from Ghana in 2024, marking his first time in the U.S. He’s getting his master’s in medical laboratory science after serving his home country during the COVID-19 pandemic and the mpox outbreak. He worked for the National Public Health and Reference Lab as a frontline health worker, taking and testing samples from suspected COVID cases and conducting contact tracing.

“I learned a lot about public health, disease identification and diagnosis, and monitoring and surveillance,” he said. “But I also learned a lot about quality management and teamwork.”

Those skills have transferred to his job at UDairy Creamery, where he works as a quality assurance intern in the Food Innovation Lab. 

“Everyone is so supportive and welcoming,” he said. “We are like a family.” 

Ayensu says he wasn’t afraid to come to the U.S. He’s a glass-half-full kind of guy.

“I was ready for whatever the U.S. could throw at me, and I remain optimistic every morning — despite the weather,” he laughed.

He misses Ghana’s year-round warm weather and the food back home. 

“What you call ‘lunch’ here is not our kind of lunch back home,” he explained. “We eat a lot more irrespective of calories back home, and our lunch takes a great time to prepare. Your dinner is too light also.” 

His advice for a fellow international student from Africa thinking about going to UD: 

“Have an optimistic mindset and see the good in every situation. Don’t expect everything to be the same as back home; you’re in a new world now, and as the popular saying here in the U.S. goes, ‘Take it one day at a time.’ That’s my motto every day.”