Flip Side Face

by Mark Pleiss

 

Senior Shristi Upreti’s first impression of Simpson was that everyone seemed happy, a big difference from her impression of Chicago, where she spent her first three weeks in the United States.

“Everyone here was smiling,” Upreti said. “Not everyone was exactly like that in the city.”

Upreti has done a lot for the college and the community. Some of her favorite memories include working for Habitat for Humanity, being a Liberal Arts Seminar assistant and taking part in several math competitions.

“You could say I’m a jack of all,” Upreti said. “I’m not really perfect at anything, but I have a little of everything, so I can do a lot.”

The math major and computer-science minor arrived at Simpson four years ago from Kathmandu, Nepal.

“I really like Simpson because there’s always someone to help you,” Upreti said. “And I really liked how if someone wants to, they can make a difference.”

Upreti enjoys studying foreign languages as a hobby. She already speaks six but wants to learn three more. At Simpson she learned to swim and play tennis, two of her favorite activities now. She also has a passion for running and has participated in several marathons in Iowa and Nepal.

Upreti will attend Bowling Green State University next year to study applied mathematics. She hopes to get her doctorate and take it back to Nepal where she says there aren’t enough high-level math teachers.

“I’m really going to miss the math department,” Upreti said. “Someone was always there inspiring me.”