Iraq & Kurdistan

Graduated: May 2014
Degree: M.A., TESOL

Best memories from your Valpo days:

My favorite memory from Valpo is the library, especially the ground floor, and the fireplace in such cold weather. I miss the VU fitness center and Harre Union and everyone I met there. VU’s multicultural life, VISA Culture Nights, and other VU events were also some of my favorite memories.

Graduated: December 2013
Degree: M.S., Nursing Education

Best memories from your Valpo days:  

I have so many things in my memory from VU that I always remember. I remember playing ultimate Frisbee with David Brown and how he taught me to throw the disc; it was such a fun game with many American and International students from different majors who studied at VU at that time. In addition, I remember a lot of things that I loved there such as swimming, playing soccer, volleyball etc. I took so much knowledge and experience from Valpo and I am transferring it to my current students and colleagues, and they are so happy with everything that I teach them. Simply, life in Valpo was great and it was an amazing opportunity for me to be a VU student. Now I feel so grateful and happy to be a Valpo alumnus.

The best memory that I have from Valparaiso University is knowing very great people. People at Valpo are so kind and friendly. I made many friends at Valpo. Faculty members and colleagues are so helpful; they helped me to achieve my goal and ambition by learning new experience and different cultures. There were so many activities that made me feel I was at home. In fact, I never felt I was in a new country, I felt at home in Valpo! People at Valpo are so welcoming and generous.

Graduated: May 2015
Degree: M.S., Information Technology – Computing

Best memories from your Valpo days:  

My favorite memory from Valpo is the staff and professors’ smiles and hospitality, especially of Professor Brad Eden and Professor Zsuzsanna. I also really enjoyed all other activities such as culture nights, and many more VU events.

How studying at Valpo prepared me:

Spending most of the time with researching reduces the need for time spent optimizing and solving the problem, which is a great lesson VU taught me.

Graduated: December 2016
Degree: M.S., International Commerce & Policy

Best memories from your Valpo days:

Being at Valpo was always enjoyable because I had friends from all around the world. During my time there, I made many friends with whom I still keep in touch. The faculty and administration were also very friendly and close to students. This positive environment inspired me to always stay close to my students and show them respect when I became a lecturer.

Valpo offered the best of both worlds: the benefits of a small city, such as less traffic, strong social relationships, and proximity to beaches, while also being close to major cities like Chicago, which I visited every one or two weeks.

Valpo’s smaller class sizes provided hands-on experience and the opportunity to build strong relationships with professors. This allowed me to ask questions outside of class and easily visit their offices. These advantages contributed to my success at Valpo, where I received several recognitions, including a special acknowledgment from the president of Valparaiso University during the graduation ceremony. I was also recognized as one of the best Iraqi students in the US and received several awards at the Iraqi Embassy in Washington DC, where I was invited along with my advisor and several Iraqi and US officials, including the Iraqi ambassadors to the US and the UN.

Since graduating, I have worked in various fields and taught at different institutions. I am currently a PhD candidate in Political Science at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA.