September finds college students busy studying and adjusting to campus life. West Liberty University welcomed international students this semester who also are busy adjusting to college and a completely new home in a different part of the world.
International students (from left) Garima Rasili, Nur Masarwa, Warda Sajjad, Aigerim Altayeva, Safia Mustafa, Anna Celak, Daria Bykova, Oussema Bouaicha and Arji BenMbarek gather on the porch after a club meeting.
“We’re excited to welcome a very diverse group of international students. For many of them, it is the first time that they’ve visited the United States or is their first time studying in the American educational system. Our international students are enriching the classroom discussions and they are proud cultural ambassadors of their countries. This adds a wonderful dimension to our academic and student life,” said Mia Szabo, director of international enrollment services and international student advisor.
“We hope all WLU’s campus is as excited as the international office about our new students and we are inviting all of our students and campus community to reach out to our international students and to personally welcome them to the United States in the warm and friendly West Virginian hospitality.”
Most of the new international students are part of the United States Department of State’s Global Undergraduate Exchange Program in Eurasia and Central Asia (UGRAD). These include:
- Global UGRAD Pakistan: Warda Sajjad and Safia Mustafa
- Global UGRAD Eurasia and Central Asia: Daria Bykova from Russia, Anna Celak from Moldova and Aigerim Altayeva from Khazakstan
- Global UGRAD Tunisia (Thomas Jefferson Scholars Program): Arji BenMbarek and Oussema Bouaicha
- Global UGRAD Near East, South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa (NESA): Nur Masarwa (from Israel), Garima Rasaili (from Nepal), Souleymane Kassoum Seydou (from Niger) and Reham Khalid Aladwan (from Saudi Arabia).
West Liberty University officially established its International Student Office in 2012 to help provide the special care and assistance our international students need while studying and to promote cultural diversity and understanding in the community.
Additional international student support and socializing activities are offered through the International Student Club. The Club meets every Friday at 4 p.m. in the Alumni Room of the College Union and the meetings are open to the public.
Jasmin Ilovar, coordinator of international student activities, assists Szabo throughout the year and works to ensure that the students have an enjoyable college experience. For more information on WLU’s international student program, please contact Szabo at 304.336.8270.
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