Master of Business Administration
Hometown: Mumbai, India
   
After receiving a bachelor’s degree in homeopathic medical science and working as a medical analyst for a year in India, Jignasa Mehta decided she wanted to pursue a master of business administration in the United States.
  
The University of Findlay’s 125-year history and established reputation appealed to her, and Mehta says she felt like she was “at home” as soon as she arrived on campus in fall 2007. She will graduate this spring with concentrations in marketing and finance.
   
“People here always lend a helping hand,” said Mehta. “Everyone is willing to help … It warms your heart.”
   
Mehta credits much of what she’s learned about American culture to her experience working in the UF Office of Grants and Contracts Administration for Jill Gear, director of that office. Mehta researches opportunities for funding and opportunities for projects that could help UF faculty and students.
   
“My life changed after I got the opportunity to be a research assistant,” said Mehta. “Jill helped me so much.” Mehta says Gear has helped her to grow both as a person and as a professional, encouraging her to take advantage of experiences and activities on campus.
   
Mehta noted that one such experience was witnessing the January 2009 Presidential Inauguration ceremony on television in the Alumni Memorial Union. Gear encouraged Mehta to be part of the moment by seeing what others – both American and international students – see and experiencing what they experience.
   

Jignasa Mehta, center, participated in International Night 2009.

And Mehta has created many other experiences for herself. While a student at UF, Mehta has participated in International Night and EKTA (Indian Student Organization) events, and she volunteered to help at the president’s picnic held each fall on campus. She also visited Cedar Point amusement park, went bowling, attended ice cream socials and carved a pumpkin at events sponsored by the Office of International Admissions and Services. “If there is anything happening, I want to be part of it,” she said.
   
She’s had the same positive approach to her studies. Mehta pursued two concentrations within the MBA program in order to differentiate herself in the job market and consistently worked hard to maintain near-perfect grades throughout the program.
   
Mehta says the Economic Summit, organized by the College of Business in spring 2009, was a benefit to her academic education at UF. “Being an attendee of the Economic Summit was absolutely amazing,” she said, noting that the presenters spoke well and spoke to the needs of students specifically.
   
Mehta plans to complete optional practical training (OPT) in the U.S. after graduation in May. She recognizes the challenges of finding an internship in a competitive and unstable economic situation but is undeterred.

“I may try and fail, but I will not fail to try,” she said. “I want to live up to Mahatma Gandhi’s words, ‘Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever,’ and continue this learning process all throughout my life.”