Despite being an international student on paper, Pareen Mhatre, a senior majoring in biomedical engineering and minoring in business administration, lists Iowa City as her hometown.
“My parents moved from India to the United States for their education when I was four months old. They eventually ended up in Iowa City when I was a year old to finish their degrees. Later, they went on to work for the UI. I was essentially raised on campus,” says Mhatre. Choosing to pursue her undergraduate studies at the UI was a natural calling for her. “I have always loved campus and the people, and I knew that the opportunities offered through the university would be endless.”
After being a Hawkeye for over two decades, Mhatre is able to have a newfound appreciation for the university community by participating in various organizations. She works as an undergraduate assistant at the BioMOST Lab, where she explores properties related to blood viscosity. She is also a peer advisor at the College of Engineering and a marketing and communications assistant at the Iowa Technology Institute. In addition, as the vice president of the Indian Student Alliance, Mhatre, along with other members, hosts four big events every academic year — GRBB, Diwali, Gathe Raho, and Nachte Raho. “Getting involved on campus is my favorite part of being a college student. These experiences have allowed me to form relationships and connect with individuals from various backgrounds and fields,” reflects Mhatre. “I would highly recommend other international students to get involved on campus. It is a great way to make friends and find out what your interests are, and overall, grow as an individual.”
Mhatre plans to graduate in December 2022. “I have hopes of entering the medical device industry. Through my involvement in research and my courses, I have developed an interest in helping design services related to the heart," shares Mhatre.
Mhatre was recently named part of Teen Vogue’s “21 under 21” after she “testified before the House Judiciary Subcommittee about what it’s like to spend your entire life in a country that you may be forced to leave behind.” Mhatre “is what’s known as a ‘Documented Dreamer’ — one of more than 200,000 young adults living in immigration limbo after they were brought to the U.S as children by parents on long-term visas. She has lived in Iowa since she was 4 months old, but when she turned 21, she aged out of her status as a dependent visa-holder and had to register as a foreign student.”