ASU international student combines love of psychology with fashion

When you meet Maryglory Moshi, a junior in the Department of Psychology at Arizona State University, you first notice a giant smile and an eagerness to help.

Moshi is a self-described “people person,” who has made it her mission to help fellow students achieve their goals. She provides support in the psychology department’s advising office and is involved in the psychology advising leaders (PALs) program as a teaching assistant and student instructor. She holds weekly office hours to help students choose courses, plan career goals and set up internships. Additionally, Moshi guides incoming students and their families through new student orientation, helping them assimilate into their new home.

“Maryglory has such a positive outlook on life and really motivated our students to succeed.  She brings a unique viewpoint to ASU and has been a significant leader in the Department of Psychology,” said Amy Sannes, the associate director of academic services in the Department of Psychology.

Moshi has a deep understanding of how the transition to university can be difficult; she is an international student from Tanzania working toward a double major in psychology and business data analytics. She said her days are consistently full but also engaging and challenging in ways that help her grow.

“I came to ASU after two years in an international high school in Tanzania. I was attracted to the campus because the environment was similar to home and the entrepreneurial atmosphere really allowed me to see a life in a different mindset,” Moshi said.

“ASU provided me with the support system and the structure to ask questions,” Moshi added, “and the university has really helped me to understand American culture.”

Her passion for psychology began when she was enrolled in an International Baccalaureate psychology class. She began to wonder how the brain worked and how society and culture influenced how people make decisions. After the class, Moshi was hooked. She decided to study psychology in college.

After ASU, Moshi wants to combine high fashion and consumer psychology in the future. She believes her education in big data and social behavior will be the tools she needs to get there.

 “I like to push the envelope in both fashion and at school. If I see something new or interesting, I like to try it,” Moshi said. “People tend to be scared of going outside of their comfort zone, but I think that is where truly special discoveries happen.”

Question: What was your “aha” moment, when you realized you wanted to study the field you majored in?

Answer: When I was studying in Tanzania in grades 8 to 10, it was at a very traditional Tanzanian school. In grades 11 and 12, I transferred to the international school where psychology was introduced to me. That was my coming out party where I maximized every second of learning and truly found what I was interested in.

I dug into my own background and saw how specific events had an impact on my life, and studying psychology brought to light how we mask things. Now, I ask: why, why are you doing that? Or I ask: why are people acting the way that they do?

Q: What’s something you learned while at ASU — in the classroom or otherwise — that surprised you, that changed your perspective?

A: Since coming to ASU, I’ve lived the mentality of “I can do that!” and have taken on as many challenges as I can. I have traveled to 15 states, have gotten involved in fashion, studied in two majors, served as a teaching assistant and instructor with the PAL program.

Q: What was your favorite spot on campus, whether for studying, meeting friends or just thinking about life?

A: I’m not really sure why, but I have always liked the MU. There is so much going on and there are always rooms that you can reserve for projects or meetings.

Q: If someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem on our planet, what would you tackle?

A: The first thing I would do is take the money back to my country and help facilitate the field of psychology back home. Mental health is not given the attention it should be back home and part of that is from a lack of awareness. In the African context, people aren’t aware and instead attribute their mental health issues to religion or superstition. They also lack an awareness of the solutions that could be available to them.

As a result of studying psychology and focusing on personal reflection, I know that I mask lots of things. I would love to use those funds to help people who don’t understand what they are currently experiencing.