New York Tech Celebrates Experiential Education Program Participants

Pictured: On November 21 in New York City, the Office of International and Experiential Education celebrated the outstanding contributions of New York Institute of Technology’s experiential education program participants.

On November 19 on the Long Island campus and on November 21 in New York City, the Office of International and Experiential Education celebrated the outstanding contributions of New York Institute of Technology’s experiential education program participants.

The event, part of New York Tech’s efforts to promote the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide, is held each year during International Education Week, a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education. The university currently has students from more than 90 countries.

Honorees at the luncheon on the Long Island campus.

The festive luncheon, which included food from China, India, and Saudi Arabia (the top countries represented by our international students), provided a forum to bestow awards to selected New York Tech students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community partners who have successfully engaged in internships, service-learning, Consultants for the Public Good, and overall civic programming.

Amy Bravo, M.A., senior director of International and Experiential Education, shared with attendees the Office’s mission to support and nurture the growth of our international students, as well as the team’s goal to prepare New York Tech students to be global citizens.

The event also honored the winners of the “No Ordinary Journey” contest, now in its 10th year, which invites international faculty, staff, students, and scholars to reflect on their journeys from their home countries. For the first time, rather than just calling for written pieces, the contest accepted submissions in a variety of art forms, including essays, art pieces, photography, poetry, and more.

Look through the "No Ordinary Journey" contest submissions.

Jungxuan Li, who came to New York Tech from China to pursue a B.F.A. in Digital Arts, was a contest winner for his stunning photo exhibit about New York. He said, “I am an international student and it is my first year to be here in New York. I can feel a different kind of culture and touch a totally distinguished lifestyle. Hudson River, The Statue of Liberty … here, New York is gorgeous.”

Other contest winners include:

• Joshua Bienstock, L.L.M., J.D., assistant professor, School of Management, for his essay, “My First of Many Trips to China”
• Terese Coe, M.A., adjunct instructor, College of Arts and Sciences, for her poem Epithalamium
• Harshada Phadol, who is pursuing an M.S. degree in Data Science, for a photo essay titled “My Journey”
• Aditi Pancholi, pursuing a Master of Architecture degree for a poem, Untitled

Student Winners of Experiential Education Awards:

• Jason Bottiglieri, pursuing a Bachelor of Architecture degree, for the Internship Certificate Program for Pamela Glazer Architect Internship
• Sakshi Rambhia, pursuing a B.S. in Computer Science, for Consultants for the Public Good: Street Project Foundation, Bennett Conservatory of Music Street Project, Foundation U.S. Collegiate Congress, WorkAwesome
• Daniel Tapang, pursuing an M.S. in Computer Science, for the Internship Certificate Program for Montefiore IT Security Internship

Faculty/Partner Winners of Experiential Education Awards:

• Tobi Abramson, Ph.D., adjunct assistant professor, School of Health Professions and director of Geriatric Mental Health at the New York City Department for the Aging for Interdisciplinary Projects in Aging
• Elisha Eschandy, Science Teacher at P.S. 152, for Service-Learning
• Nahid Ranjbar (D.P.T. ’10), adjunct assistant professor, School of Health Professions, clinical experiential education supervisor and instructor at Gurwin Jewish Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
• Martha Siegel, M.S., retired associate professor of Interior Design, School of Architecture and Design, for the Internship Certificate Program for Interdisciplinary Projects in Aging

The Office of International and Experiential Education’s commitment to infusing civic, electoral and political engagement into its programs was also on display during the event. Team members staffed a “civic engagement” table to support Relay for Life 2020 by selling cards made by New York Tech students and gathering input on how others can engage in the cause, raising $200. They also offered information about ways to foster intercultural understanding and educate community leaders about immigration-related issues, and promoted open consultancies available through Consultants for the Public Good.  

Learn more about service-learning opportunities.