STUDENT STORY

“I was born in Egypt, and I moved here with my parents when I was about 12 years old. My parents gave up their lives in Egypt so that I could have the opportunity to go to school in the United States. At Oakland University, I’m developing skills that will allow me to start working right away. I’m so grateful to be here, and I’m thankful my parents did that for me.

I’ve realized that college pays off – it allows you to get a job with opportunities to succeed. I’ve learned so much and met so many people here that have changed my life. I always thought I would study all the time, and I was surprised to learn that college is about a lot more than that. Don’t get me wrong, you have to put in the work, but I never realized how much fun I would have until I got here.

I wanted to be independent from my parents, and I learned a lot from the experience of moving away from home. It was weird at first to ask people for help, but once you learn and master the challenge, it’s a great experience. College is the perfect transition to being completely on your own – it’s like a happy medium before graduating and being totally independent.

Here at Oakland, I’m involved in French Club, Spanish Club, and even student admissions. I owe all of these involvements to my friends that introduced me to new things and helped me get involved. These organizations have helped me form connections in the field, create friendships and develop interpersonal skills. I’ve learned so much from getting involved, and I’m now even a mentor to other students. I’ve grown as a professional through learning how to manage time and responsibilities, and it’s rewarding to watch the impact of this work on other students.

Financial aid played a major role in my college experience. My family came from Egypt and my parents lost their jobs to take new ones here, ones that could not completely cover my tuition. Fortunately, I received a lot of grants and scholarships that helped me afford tuition and housing. I am lucky to come here and take out minimal loans. Money shouldn’t be something that sets you back from college – whether it’s from the state or through a university, there is money out there for financial aid and you just have to find it.”

(Mina, International Relations/Political Science, Oakland University)