Leaving hometown comforts to attend a university can be difficult for many college students, but traversing thousands of miles to live and learn in a different country in a new language presents its own unique set of challenges.
For Saudi Arabia native Ruya Abubaker, the support system she found at the University of Nebraska at Omaha in the form of clubs, a network of fellow international students, and caring faculty made campus a home away from home. It’s an experience this recent international studies graduate will look back on fondly for years to come.
“A lot of the clubs I joined were very diverse, so I never felt out of place; like I was the only international student,” Abubaker said. “That idea of knowing I’m not the only international student was very comforting.”
Shortly after beginning her academic career at UNO, a friend connected her with a “buddy program” through International Affairs. Through the program, she was paired with a recent international student and shown where to find resources to be successful at UNO and have a memorable experience in Omaha. She also got involved with UNO’s Muslim Student Association, becoming its secretary.
“It was exciting. I was really happy to do that because I’m an international student myself. I know how hard it can be in a foreign country.”
Abubaker’s journey to UNO was also different compared to that of many other international students.
Her parents both attended courses at UNO before returning to Saudi Arabia. Abubaker’s younger sister, Turfah, had struggled with an illness that had kept her from attending school in Saudi Arabia. At the recommendation of a family doctor, the family returned to Omaha where she could receive the care she needed and attend school. Sadly, Turfah passed away in October 2017 during Ruya’s freshman year at UNO.
“I told most of my professors at the time and they showed so much compassion and understanding of my unfortunate loss of my little sister,” Abubaker said.
She credits supportive faculty members who rallied around her and kept her on track toward graduation, whether it was through the loss of her sister, through her own health issues, or other obstacles she experienced in the years that followed.
“The best advice I can give is to communicate and say what you’re struggling with,” Abubaker said. “If it’s something going on at home or family abroad, if it’s mental health, communication is the key to getting help. People don’t know what you’re going through if you don’t tell them.”
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