Afghanistan Student Shares Story and Advice

Jessica Tomer is our guest blogger today. She is the Associate Editor at Carnegie Communications and she is responsible for developing and copy editing content for a number of magazines in int’l education. This the 1st story in a four part series here at GoUSAVisaCenter; An Afghanistan student at Simmons College, Boston, Massachusetts shares her story and advice for other international students studying in the USA.Zala IbrahimiCountry of Citizenship: Afghanistan  |   School: Simmons College, Boston, MassachusettsIt was one of my biggest wishes to earn a degree in a developed country,” says Zala Ibrahimi, a native of Afghanistan and a 2009 graduate of Simmons College in Boston, Massachusetts.And while many students share her dream of studying abroad, few ever encounter the obstacles that stood between this young woman and her education.In war-ravaged Afghanistan, education is not a priority, and Ibrahimi says her country has lost many of its intellectuals. “Some were killed, while others migrated to the countries all over the world.Poverty and financial problems have devastated Afghanistan’s ability for universities to acquire technology and have access to modern teaching materials.” Ibrahimi knows this because she lived it.She was able to escape with the help of the Initiative to Educate Afghan Women. The organization helped Ibrahimi achieve her goal of studying in the United States by guiding her in the search process and connecting her with a scholarship.“People who have the opportunity to get an education . . . should not take this golden chance for granted,” she says.Ibrahimi says she appreciates her U.S. education, particularly the access to modern equipment, the focus on current events, and the prestige associated with her degree. “I like the teaching system here,” she says. “Students are encouraged to work hard and are given the opportunity to learn beyond the class lectures.” With a double major in finance and economics, Ibrahimi is ready to return to Afghanistan and help with economic recovery there.Moving to a new country means adjusting to a new culture, which can be difficult—and most students who have traveled thousands of miles for an American education would agree.“We usually see the world through the eyes of the cultural concepts we grew up in, and when confronted by a culture different than our own, we tend to judge that culture,” Ibrahimi says. But she thinks that the university experience should be about diving into the situation with an accepting, open mind.“Enjoy learning new ways to do things, tasting new foods, seeing new things. Make new connections and friends. Be an active participant of various student clubs in your college. Stay aware of what is happening on campus and explore your new environment.”As far as easing the transition, many international students suggest bringing pictures from home or finding a specialty market that carries familiar foods. Not Ibrahimi, who doesn’t even mention everyday items.“Have the ability to adapt to environmental changes and be ready to accept the positive aspects of change,” she says. “Those who are able to add on to their strengths and counter their weakness while going through transitions are the winners.”Keep coming back to GoUSAVisaCenter for the next post in this series as I highlight student experiences from India, Germany, and Trinadad/Tobago.What do you think of Ibrahimi’s story and advice? Can you imagine how difficult it is to come to the USA while you are living in war-torn