Q&A with Eberly GPSA Vice President of International Student Affairs Vaibhav Pal
Vaibhav Pal, a chemistry graduate student, who focuses on the design and development of new microgel-based materials for tissue engineering applications. He also serves as vice president of international student affairs for the Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA).
Q: What has been a favorite experience as a VP of international student affairs?
VP: We have a lot of international graduate students on our campus. Helping them, guiding them with resources, and supporting cultural diversity by funding their events have been some of my best moments. It always felt great to see students benefiting from the initiatives we discussed during our assembly meetings. Knowing that I can contribute to making their journey a little easier and more enriching is truly rewarding.
Q: What advice do you have to share with anyone who is interested in joining GPSA?
VP: I would say it is a great learning experience. You get a chance to know what is happening across the university because GPSA has delegates from every department and college. You learn a lot while working with such a diverse group of people, and it definitely helps in personal and professional growth. It is a platform where you can make an impact while growing as a person. If you are interested in working with the VP of International Student Affairs and want to learn more about what GPSA does, feel free to reach out to me at vaibhavpal@psu.edu.
Q: What is the most important observation that you will take with you from your time at Penn State? Why was it especially important to you?
VP: There are so many things I could share, but one thing that stands out is the joy of helping fellow students while working with different organizations and clubs. I have seen how hardworking and dedicated students and faculty are, always working together to make a difference. Being part of such a diverse and dynamic environment has been a privilege, and I feel lucky to have had this experience at Penn State.