Pepperdine International Student Simon Khorani Finds Home Abroad

“Leaving home to attend Pepperdine was challenging. I arrived alone, not knowing anyone, and felt quite isolated at first,” said Simon Khorani. “But once I stepped out of my comfort zone, I began to thrive—and Pepperdine has been my home ever since.”

Khorani descends from Northern Iraq and identifies as Chaldean, an ethnic Christian group in Kurdistan with a language derived from Aramaic, the language spoken by Jesus. Growing up Khorani was immersed in a diverse cultural environment and attended an international school where he learned English alongside Arabic, Kurdish, and Chaldean. As a top student in his class, Khorani had numerous options for higher education. He was always interested in studying abroad and initially considered universities in the UK or Australia. However, he ultimately applied to universities in the United States and chose Pepperdine for its generous and prestigious Blanche E. Seaver Scholarship and its strong Christian values.

“What drew me to Pepperdine was the Christian atmosphere and the beautiful Malibu landscape, which felt worlds apart from what I was used to,” shared Khorani. “I knew I was stepping into a completely new environment, with plenty of temptations and experiences I’d never encountered before. Being at a Christian university felt like something that would ground me while also giving me a chance to grow in my faith as I pursued my education.”

Simon Khorani

Khorani is one of many international students at Pepperdine who has fully embraced the University’s culture and become an invaluable part of the community. International students make up a significant portion of Pepperdine’s student population—10 percent from more than 80 countries, double the national average. At Seaver College, 11 percent of the student body is made up of international students who bring diverse global perspectives to the University’s campus and academic life.

Initially, Khorani’s transition to the US was challenging; he arrived during the COVID-19 pandemic, navigated campus life alone, and faced a tough adjustment period. However, he decided to step out of his comfort zone, joined a fraternity, and became active in campus life. He eventually became philanthropy chair for his fraternity, organizing a large charity event, and contributed to academic research on Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease, with potential publications still ahead. 

“It's important for students to know they can still excel academically while also embracing the multitude of programs and opportunities available to them at Pepperdine,” he explains.

Eager to support fellow international students, Khorani co-founded the Middle Eastern Association and joined Pepperdine’s International Student Ambassador Program, where he now assists new students in adapting to campus life. Reflecting on his own experience, he shares, “While my initial experience as an international student wasn’t what I hoped for, I knew I could make a difference for others and help them fully embrace this journey.” 

As an International Student Ambassador, Khorani’s goal is to help welcome new Waves and support them as they transition and navigate their new home for the next few years. In his role this year, Khorani is leading a new event, Your Home, My Home, which brings together international students from across the University for an annual reception. This gathering will provide a meaningful opportunity for students to connect with others from their home countries or regions and to celebrate their diverse cultural backgrounds. Your Home, My Home is part of a larger celebration for International Education Week, taking place from November 18 to 22, 2024. This weeklong initiative, a collaboration between Seaver College’s International Studies and Languages Division, the Office of International Student Services, and the Office for Community Belonging, highlights the personal and communal value of international education and cultural exchange at Pepperdine.

For Khorani, immersing oneself in the Pepperdine community is one of the best opportunities for an international student, with the potential to truly transform their experience.

“At some point, you have to be brave and challenge yourself if you want to make progress. The earlier you do it, the better—waiting too long keeps you in your shell, making it harder to reach out and put yourself out there.” He added, “It can be intimidating, but it’s worth it. Even small steps, like sitting at the front of the class next to someone on the first day, can make a big difference.”