International Student Turned Leader for Life
Jan Delkeskamp ’23 took a leap of faith when he left his small town of Dabringhausen, Germany to attend Queens University of Charlotte. Now, after rounding out his fifth year of NCAA Division I eligibility on the swim team and completing all of the coursework for his finance and accounting double major in the McColl School of Business, he is ready to embark on his next journey.
“My greater purpose that I have been able to identify at Queens is that I hope to serve my global society by being engaged in international diplomacy and serving as a human capital consultant one day,” Delkeskamp said. “With the support of my mentors across campus, I am exploring different potential professional opportunities in the future.”
Delkeskamp had a firsthand experience with international diplomacy earlier this semester, when he partnered with The N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation to organize Polish Ambassador Marek Magierowski’s visit to campus. The event brought the Queens community together for a talk regarding transatlantic relations.
Contrary to what Delkeskamp’s active involvement on campus would suggest, the international student was not always as confident and decisive. He describes arriving at the Charlotte airport for the first time overcome with fear and uncertainty, but being instantly comforted by the friendly faces from Queens that he saw awaiting his arrival. Delkeskamp also notes how helpful his academic advisor, Katerina Ivanov, P.h.D., was in helping him determine what program of study was best for him.
When it comes to his advice to future generations of Royals, Delkeskamp offers the following sentiments.
“What drew me to Queens was the opportunity I saw to discover something about myself in both the pool and classroom, and to become a leader for life,” said Delkeskamp. “If you were to ask me what factor makes you successful, I would say it is all about being engaged, being involved, and putting yourself out there. Leverage opportunities to represent Queens across the broader Charlotte community. Queens will open so many opportunities for you to connect with people and your passions.”