Many students from around the world take advantage of the chance to study abroad and experience life in a foreign country. The Thomas Jefferson Scholarship allows students from Tunisia, a north African country, the opportunity to study abroad in the United States. Rawia, a third-year business student from Tunis Business School, was awarded the scholarship for the 2017-2018 academic school year. Making the move from Tunisia to South Bend was not easy, but Rawia knew accepting the scholarship was a chance she could not pass up on.
“I knew the Thomas Jefferson Scholarship would present me with many different opportunities. It has allowed me to travel to the United States, a country I have never been to before, experience a different culture, work on my English, and improve my professional and social skills,” Rawia shared.
Before arriving on campus in the fall, Rawia set many goals for herself. She not only made academic goals, but she also set personal goals that she hopes to achieve during her school year at Saint Mary’s.
“My biggest goal is to have good academic achievements and maintain the GPA I had back in Tunisia. Besides that, I want to communicate a lot to improve my English and to travel around the United States. Some of the cities I hope to visit are Chicago, New York, and San Francisco!”
From the start, Rawia knew Saint Mary’s would be much different from Tunis Business School. When learning she would be attending an all-women’s college, Rawia did not know what to expect, but she is pleased to what she has encountered so far at Saint Mary’s.
“Before coming to Saint Mary’s, I did not know all-women’s colleges existed. This is a new concept I am not use to,” said Rawia. “I just love Saint Mary’s so much, though. The people here are very friendly and open-minded. I never thought I would be this included at Saint Mary’s! Plus, the campus is just so beautiful!”
Even though there are many differences between the two schools, one of the biggest similarities Rawia has experienced when comparing Tunis Business School to Saint Mary’s is the amount of clubs and organizations there are on campus. Rawia has not hesitated to get involved here. She is currently a part of the Around the World club and Tectonic Theater Project.
Even though Rawia did not have a say in where she would be studying this academic school year, she shared she is very happy with her placement at Saint Mary’s College and is excited to see what is to come for the rest of the academic school year.
