WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., Sept. 22, 2017 — When exchange student Nur Masarwa was leaving West Liberty University (WLU) in May 2015, she promised her friends that she would come back.
Masarwa is from Taibe, Israel and had completed a year at WLU studying English education as one of the students sponsored by World Learning. Masarwa then took a course in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) at Beit Berl College in Kfar Saba, Israel.
Nur Masarwa is shown here at a recent International Fair, held in the College Union.
As she promised, Masarwa returned to the Hilltop this fall and is now pursuing a master’s degree in education with concentration in community education research and leadership.
“When I came to West Liberty for the first time, I suddenly had to adapt to a completely new life all by myself. This place taught me to be independent,” she said.
“I came back to WLU specifically because I like the connection with the professors, they don’t let you feel that no one is there to help you, rather they make you feel welcomed, in other words it is a very friendly place when it comes to academics. There are always people to help you out.”
“It is so different in Israel. There professors are trying to separate themselves from students.”
Masarwa also became close with the local community as she spent a lot of time volunteering at an after-school program at West Liberty Christian Church.
When Masarwa returned home, her desire to continue her education in the U.S. was met with skepticism. “People back home thought I wouldn’t be able to come back to the States. For them, it was just like a crazy dream. Everyone kept telling me how hard it is to get accepted to a graduate program and how expensive it would be,” Masarwa said.
WLU currently offers master’s degrees in biology, business, criminology, education and professional studies as well as a physician assistant program.
In order to pursue her dream, Masarwa worked three jobs, as a middle school teacher, a private English tutor and a tour guide. She was saving money to continue her education. But it wasn’t until she received a graduate assistant (GA) position at WLU Center for Arts and Education, that she realized her dream will become a reality.
Masarwa is one of the 25 students who received GA appointments this fall. As the graduate programs grow in number, WLU continues to increase employment opportunities for students.
“I can’t think of a better place to work on campus than the Arts Center. I help students with their projects and I become more creative myself,” Masarwa said.
Besides working as a GA, Masarwa is involved in campus life. She is a marketing coordinator for WLU International Club and a member of the Community Outreach club.
Upon her graduation, Masarwa hopes to gain work experience in an American non-profit sector.
“My goal now is to stay in the U.S. and create bridges with other countries because I believe that by doing this we can have a more peaceful world and by diversity we can learn a lot.”
She is just one of 65 international students enrolled at WLU this fall. According to Mia Szabo, director of International Enrollment Services, “we have seen an eight percent increase in international students enrolled since fall of 2016, and we now have 25 countries represented on campus this semester, up two from last fall.”
The International Student Office is located on the second floor of the College Union and can be reached by phone at 304.336.8270.
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