MENAT Student Profiles

MENAT students are pursuing their dreams at Syracuse University!

Syracuse University is home to around 15,000 undergraduate students and almost 7000 graduate and law students from all 50 states and 120 countries. Almost 150 Syracuse University students hail from the MENAT region alone! Click on their names below to meet some of them.

Mina Gurbuz '23

Mina was born and raised in Turkey. She had an initial fascination for biology and forensic sciences, however, after learning more from her contemporary artist aunt, she was inspired to pursue dual degrees in Art History and Film at Syracuse University. There she went on to study abroad in Prague, and attended the Art History program in New York City. Mina hopes of becoming a production designer to curate worlds and bring director’s visions to life in the film industry.

Nihar Varadappagari '24

Nihar is currently enrolled at the School of Architecture with a minor in Real Estate at the Whitman School of Management. He was born in India and raised in Dubai. Nihar was introduced to Syracuse University’s architecture program while researching for the best schools in the country. His decision was further affirmed by interacting with the Syracuse University’s Dubai office where he was introduced to Syracuse architecture students from the Middle East.

Jude Darwish '25

Jude is studying Information Management and Technology at the School of Information Studies. She is also pursuing a minor in Finance at the Whitman School of Management, and a minor in Architecture. Jude was born in Jordan and raised in Dubai.

Mehmet Ali Ozturk '27

Mehmet was born and raised in Turkey. Interested in learning architecture like his father and sister, he found Syracuse University. His interest in SU grew stronger when he met a few alumni in Istanbul during the admitted student program, where he learned about the Turkish Student Association on campus. With SU’s reputation as an outstanding architecture school and its notable alumni, Mehmet made the decision to attend Syracuse.

Anika Sahityani '24

Anika was born and raised in New York and later on moved to Dubai for her middle and high school years. Her parents are from india. Anika always knew that she would go back to New York for college and that’s where she landed on applying to SU, and was admitted. She is pursuing a dual major in Finance at Whitman School of Management and Information Management and Technology at the School of Information Studies.

Reignier Sky Sychua '26

Sky was born in the Philippines and raised in the United Arab Emirates. He is currently enrolled at the College of Arts and Sciences with the intention of majoring in psychology while also pursuing his interests in advertising, language, marketing, and food studies. His favorite spot on campus is the Barnes Center at the Arch, where he goes to the gym, attends yoga class and pet therapy session, and plays basketball and volleyball.

Noor Zakaria '26

Noor is currently enrolled at the School of Architecture. She was born and raised in Amman, Jordan. Noor came across Syracuse University when searching for top architecture programs in the United States.

Sreya Pillai '25

Sreya is currently enrolled at Syracuse University’ School of Architecture. She is an Indian national and was born and raised in Bahrain. While searching for top universities for architecture in the United States, she came across SU. Her interests for Syracuse University grew stronger through interviews she had with Syracuse Dubai office, where she learned about the strong sense of community on campus.