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| University of Michigan-Dearborn Graduation Ceremony in Ann Arbor |
DEARBORN— Every year, thousands of college students enthusiastically return their textbooks and dispose of their notes in anticipation of graduation. As the Arab American population continues to establish itself in local communities, the names of an increasing number of Arab American graduates are read out loud at commencement ceremonies.
Universities have graciously accepted the ethnic group, as diversity has become a vital lifeblood to the prosperity of these institutions.
John Corvino, professor and chair of the philosophy department at Wayne State University, who read the names of walking graduates during this spring’s commencement, said diversity is the university’s greatest strength.
“The strong, visible presence of Arab American students is one of our distinctive strengths,” Corvino said. “That strength is increasingly noticeable at commencement.”
David Strauss, dean of students at WSU, said “the Arab American student community adds so much vibrancy and involvement to campus life and campus activities.”
Hashim Altawil, chair of the art history department and advisor to the Arab Student Union at Henry Ford College, said while the school does not track Arab American students, he estimates that 30 percent of the college’s students are of Arab descent.
“I feel very proud when I see my students who are handling a job or two and coming to college and doing very well,” Altawil said.
“I also see female Arab American students, many of them are mothers and have children and are doing just excellent, taking classes. There is something in the culture of Arab American student that pushes them to excel in academics.”
Below are experiences and advice from a few Arab Americans who graduated this week.
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| Rafa Khansa |
Rafa Khansa, University of Michigan-Dearborn, major in biology and psychology:
“My father graduated from AUB (American University of Beirut) with an M.D., came to the U.S. and completed his master’s at Yale; and my mother has a psychology degree right here from Wayne State University. One tough act to follow, right?
“Like most parents, my parents wanted to equip my sisters and I with the tools to succeed; and today, that means a college education.
“I tried my best to make these last five years more than just memorizing and regurgitating information for the next exam, but instead about appreciating the opportunities to be a part of something greater than myself while expanding my knowledge.
“I think we as a Dearborn community are very blessed to have each other. We don’t feel the discrimination that other Arabs around the country feel. I think we are equipped with the opportunities to go far and I am proud to be a part of such a community that has utilized these tools to make amazing changes in our community to help the next generation attain comparable, if not more, success.
“Don’t skip a single class. Respect your professors and the time and energy they put into teaching you. Answer at least three questions every lecture, whether you are certain your answer is right or not. Become more than just a grade beside a student ID number to each of your professors. Study with friends after you have studied alone. Read your textbook! Don’t Snapchat or tweet that you are studying, just study and then enjoy stress free social media after you get that A! Don’t take the easy way out in any class; be thankful for the opportunity to learn from someone with more information than you that will not judge or humiliate you. This opportunity will unfortunately not always be available to you.”
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| Fatima Fahs |
Fatima Fahs, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, entering residency in dermatology:
“My brother and I are the first doctors in our immediate and extended families. Graduating with a medical degree was really important to me, as my family has been very impacted by the field of medicine through the passing of my father and brother. It was important for me to pursue medicine to heal myself through healing others.
“Education means empowerment. My degree is also a testament to my family’s sacrifice and the attainment of the ‘American dream.’
“The challenge for Arab American women, and especially those who are Muslim and wear the hijab, is breaking stereotypes in the workforce. As a doctor, my patients will look to me for advice and help. At the same time, it also serves as an opportunity to dispel stereotypes that the media may spew about Arab Americans and Muslim women. Yes, we can be educated. Yes, we can pursue our dreams. And absolutely yes, we can impact and save people’s lives.
“Advice I’d give to someone about the college experience is to set small, monthly goals and work on achieving them. Eventually, you will find yourself achieving more than you thought possible and attaining a larger goal in the process.”
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| Ali Beydoun |
Ali Beydoun, University of Michigan-Dearborn, major in criminal justice:
“I was actually happier for my parents than for myself when I graduated because as I got older, I began to appreciate more the sacrifices my parents made just so I had the opportunity to get an education. Their hard work finally paid off for them.
“I felt relieved, yet a little nervous as I approached graduation. Once they announce your name on stage and they hand you your diploma, any feelings of unease are suddenly replaced with pure joy. It was an awesome feeling, to say the least.
“College is a very influential part of a person’s life, so cherish every moment of it. Take advantage of the diverse number of students and make as many friends as you can. Lastly, hard work always pays off.”
Layla Sareini, University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, major in sociology, minor in law, justice and social change:
“I am following in the footsteps of my mother, who received her bachelor’s in political science in three short years, while working and raising five children. Her sleepless nights doing homework at the kitchen table where we all just enjoyed the meal she prepared for us are what made me and my siblings so driven in the classroom and made us value college at such a higher level.
“To me, education is not performing well on your exams and proving to your professor that you can memorize PowerPoint presentations. Education is being able to communicate issues and concerns intelligently; being able to perpetuate and reinforce the culture of the society we live in with the skills we have attained and knowing how to do so on both individual and collective levels.
“Graduation felt like something out of a movie. I still have the urge to pack my backpack and get on the Sunday night train to Ann Arbor and catch up on my homework. As I walked into the Big House, which is where my ceremony was held, my eyes began to water. The four years hunched over at a desk, the 20 hours of sleep a week, working two jobs, living on my own and finding my identity was all coming to an end. Every day of undergrad I wished for a time machine so I could skip ahead to graduation. But at my commencement, I wished for a time machine to go back four years and do it all over again. College was the most rewarding experience of my life.“I do not think recent Arab American graduates face any challenges. We are some of the most successful, generous and educated people in the country, which means that wherever you go, you are likely to find an Arab who is going to help you in reaching your goals. In addition to this, we’ve already achieved so much by graduating college during a time where anti-Arab sentiment is so high that we are that much stronger and resilient to any challenges that may arise in response to our ethnicity. In fact, we should welcome challenges; they’ll only make us stronger and more prepared for our professional lives.
“To someone who is beginning their college career or still an underclassman, I would tell them to take advantage of all of their university’s resources. And if you have an idea, do it. If you want to see change in your classroom or on your campus, work for it. Join student organizations and travel outside your comfort zone. Getting a 4.0 is not the most important thing in the world; I actually think it’s the least important, so don’t prevent yourself from gaining valuable life experiences because you’re glued to your studies.”
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