2023-24 MUSC International Student Q&As

The MUSC Center for Global Health is proud to celebrate the diversity and cultures represented by our the on-campus international student community! In honor of the 2023 International Students' Day (November 17, 2023), and further on an ongoing basis, we are happy to share the following student Q&As.

Click the names below to learn more about these MUSC students.

If you are a current MUSC international student and would like to be featured in a forthcoming Q&A, please send responses to the questions noted below, along with a photo of yourself, to global-health@musc.edu.

Abirami Soundararajan

Abirami Soundararajan headshot

Hometown: Vellore, India
MUSC college and program pursuing: College of Graduate Studies; Clemson-MUSC Bioengineering Program
What is one accomplishment at MUSC you’d like to share? I learned so many things related to academics.
When did you first come to the U.S.? August 2022
What is your favorite part about the U.S./Charleston? I like the weather, the beach and the moon rise.
What do you miss most about your hometown or culture? I miss my family, friends and the culture of drawing rangoli.
What is one thing about your hometown that many people would be surprised to learn? Mountains surround my hometown and it’s hot during summer.
What are your plans after you graduate? After graduation, I might work here for several years and then return to my country.

Carla Martinez Morant

Carla Martinez with family in Spain

Hometown: Xativa (Valencia, Spain)
MUSC college and program pursuing: College of Graduate Studies, Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences
Why did you choose to study at MUSC? I chose MUSC because when I visited for the interview, the school and the city felt like home! I like smaller schools because they are more personable and collaborative.
When did you first come to the U.S.? I came to the U.S. in August of 2016 to pursue a dual degree in Biology and psychology while continuing playing basketball at a high level.
What is your favorite part about the U.S./Charleston? My favorite part about the U.S. is that it is such a diverse country where I have been so lucky to make friends from all over the world. I’ve learned a lot about different cultures and ways of living. I think this has made me a more open-minded and culturally competent person.
What do you miss most about your hometown? Spain is known for its plazas (street squares), a place where people get together with their family and friends. My hometown has a beautiful plaza called “Plaça del Mercat.” I love going there when I am home because it has beautiful views to the basilica, and I get to share great tapas with my friends in one of the traditional Spanish bars.
What is one thing about your hometown people would be most surprised to learn? Xativa is a very unique, culturally rich and historically important city because of its strategic location. In 1150 Europe's first paper mill was founded here, using rice and straw as the raw materials. The paper is still known in Morocco by the name of ‘xativi.’ Between its conquest from the Moors in 1244 by King Jaime I and 1707, Xativa, known as ‘Saetabis’ to the Romans, was Valencia’s second most important city. As a reminder of the Iberians, the Romans and the Moors living in this land, we still have an outstanding Castle with thirty towers and four fortified gates that is one of the main attractions for the tourism of the city. Xativa is home for two Popes, both members of the notorious Borja family; Calixtus 3rd and Alexander 6th. Despite these facts being remarkable, I think the most surprising fact to learn about my hometown is that the area was home for the Neanderthals. Located in a narrow valley that runs along the river Albaida, there is a cave called, ‘la cova negra’, which translates to ‘the black cave,' that has paintings and human remaining. I grew up just about a 15-minute hike to ‘la cova negra.’ Many Sundays we would go hiking and visit it before enjoying a well-deserved Paella at home!
What are your plans after you graduate? I am not completely certain of my plans after graduation. I love biomedical science and I enjoy living in the U.S. Through my experiences here, I’ve learnt that I love working in a team to solve biomedical/ healthcare related problems. I love learning new things, problem-solving, leading a team towards accomplishing a specific goal and being creative. I think my dream job would be to work for a start-up company that is trying to develop a new product/treatment for patients.