Graduation profile: Niharika Bhattarai

Niharika (Knee-ha-rica) “Niha” Bhattarai, 21, will receive her bachelor’s degree in international studies when she graduates June 14 from the University of Oregon. She is from Salem. “The friendships made here will last through the ups and downs of life,” she says.

Academic accomplishments:
Minors in anthropology, biology and African studies. She attended the Robert D. Clark Honors College, and was a Gates Millennium Scholar.

Extracurricular/leadership activity:
Student Health Advisory Committee, Students for Global Health, Multicultural Recruiter-Ambassador, Pi Beta Phi Sorority, Office of Multicultural Academic Success Student Leadership Team.

Attending and graduating college is significant to my family (or because of my background) because … my parents have sacrificed so much to give me, a first-generation female American, (the opportunity) to get a college education, and have always pushed me to do my best to ensure a brighter life.

The reason I chose the University of Oregon for my education is … the university provided the chance to explore and really find what I was passionate about. Plus the DUCK SPIRIT is so contagious….

The most rewarding experience/challenge I’ve had while earning my degree was … interning abroad thru the UO in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This experience changed my life for the better and made me realize what I want to pursue as a career, while letting me explore distant cultures.

While pursuing my degree I was most inspired by … the creative energy around campus. The ability for a student to create and express gave me the courage to jump in and contribute back to the energy and community.

My UO degree is valuable because … the journey to my degree solidified me as an individual, student and a member of this UO community.

After graduation, I plan to use my degree from the UO to … pursue a master’s in public health in Fall 2010, at the Hubert Department of Global Health in the Rollins School of Public Health, at Emory University in Atlanta.