Shannen Irfan Surhyo plans to be a CEO of a major banking institute. Her first step? Deciding which discipline to major in – mathematics and statistics, economics or actuarial science.

“I am interested in several majors and want to learn about all of them,” says Surhyo, a first-year student in applied mathematics and economics from Hyderabad, Pakistan. “It is one of the main reasons I chose to attend Missouri S&T, the opportunity to double major in this unique mix of fields.”

Surhyo says she is also interested in hands-on research opportunities and hopes to get involved in projects with faculty advisors. As someone who has always been good at math and helped tutor friends and her younger sister, she is looking forward to her advanced classes in the mathematics and statistics department.

“I’m really curious what is happening in the backstage of a given math situation,” says Surhyo. “That is what actuarial science is all about and focuses on in finance and risk management.”

Seeing the world

Surhyo says she loves travel and has been to approximately 20 countries so far. She has the physical proof to show you, too – she collects keychains from every city she visits. She currently has more than 50.

“I love to travel and discover new things about the world,” says Surhyo. “The best food is, of course, my home country of Pakistan – I still miss my mom’s home cooking. But the most beautiful country I’ve seen is Switzerland. And I hope to travel throughout the U.S. and see large cities like Los Angeles or Miami next.”

Finding a new home

Despite traveling so much, Surhyo says that her best experiences so far have all been at S&T, being a part of the Math Club, a member of the Pakistani Club, and carrying a banner during the Celebration of Nations parade this past fall.

“I’m loving the people here so far. My own roommate is a great example; we have a close bond and live in Miner Village,” says Surhyo. “There is always something to do here, so I always tell people to not judge S&T as a smaller university, because it certainly doesn’t feel like one.”