Ritisha Sapkota

Ritisha Sapkota traveled over 7,500 miles from Hetauda, Nepal, to study at Weber State, sight unseen. She’d only heard that Utah was a beautiful state — rated safest in the nation — and that there was a thriving Nepalese community at WSU.

“I have always dreamed of completing my higher education in the USA,” Sapkota said. “So far, it’s been amazing.” 

Raised by a single mom, Sapkota said she has always been a dedicated and focused student. This semester, she’s taking three in-person classes and one online course as she pursues a bachelor’s degree in management information systems.

Sapkota wants to work for an information technology company with a more important goal of bringing her mom and younger sister to the U.S. 

“My only dream is to make my mom proud,” she said. “All her life, she sacrificed for me and my younger sister. Now, this is my turn to give her the best life.”

Sapkota said Utah “matches the vibe” of where she was born and raised, so she feels at home here. Over the next four years, she hopes to get into nature and explore the beauty of the state.