International Student of the Month for March 2020  Somayeh Saadat of Iran

 

What is your home country and what are you studying here?

I was born, and raised in the ancient cosmopolitan culture of Iran into a family of public educators and civic servants. I’m studying Master of Public Administartion (MPA) at Collin Powell School.

 

What are your success habits or qualities you admire about yourself? ​

I am very analytic, well-organized, knowledge -orientedand, and love to serve public.

 

Tell us your best moments of studying at City College of New York as an international student​ so far.

I remember the first time that we were studying Quantitative Methode as a group. After our discussion, my Taylor  asked me, “Somy do you feel you had equal opportunity to comment?” That moment of kindness is unforgettable. I deeply felt that I am treated equal.

 

What motivates you?

Generating art crafts, Reading and reciting poetry, listening to music, singing, running in nature with my community teammates and doing sportive and art activities 

 

What book and/or movie inspires you and why?

I love to read poems of the Iranian Master and Mystic poet Rumi; Toni Morrison’s masterpiece “The Source of Self-Regard;” and “Becoming” by Michelle Obama

“The Shape of Water,” “Roma,” and “Separation” are among my favorite movies. 

The poetry, literature, and those movies inspire me to become a person of love, generosity, public service, and advocate of global social justice.

 

What is the plan of your career in the future?

My immediate undertaking is to establish my own “Non-profit Corporation and Event Planning Organization” to support migrants humanly and financially in the City. 

 

What made you decide to study in the U.S.? Upon reflection, what were the immediate challenges and rewards of this decision?

The quality of education in the U.S. is my highest motivation factor. Also, the liberal studies allows me to learn about large scope of natural, science, and human disciplines.

My immediate challenge was limitation to work off-campus for international students. On-campus positions are limited and sometimes are not related to my major. To overcome that challenge,  I decided to do internship or volunteer work that related to my major. I gained working knowledge and enjoyed new professional experiences.

 

What piece of advice you would give to a new international student coming to study here?

I strongly suggest that they expand their academic and social networks. One of the best ways is joining  to monthly “International Office Coffee Hour.”Another possibility is to become a member of on-campus, and free clubs and sport teams. 

 

Who is your greatest inspiration and why?

My first grade teacher, Ms. Anisi is my greatest inspiration. She asked us to assemble our own same handmade school bag. She wanted us to be equal. That way, I learned a lesson of equality through our own hand craft.

 

What is your favorite quote or words to live by?

“If you want the moon..., do not hide at night;

If you want a rose..., do not run from the thorns;

If you want love…, do not hide from yourself.”

Rumi, 13th-century Persian poet 

 

What do you love about living and/or studying in New York City? Please include any of your personal recommendations for fun and interesting things to do in or around the city (favorite restaurants, coffee shops, parks, museums, galleries, etc.)

New York is unique cosmopolitan city. People around all of the world with different cultures, languages and religions are living together in libery. That provides an opportunity to live in harmony with respect and human dignity.

Brookfield Place (BFPL) is one of my favorite places. It is across West Street from the World Trade Center in the Battery Park City neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. The beautiful views of the Hudson River is another attraction of BFPL. The Winter Garden located at BFPL with Palm trees, and there are lots of cultural events on that each year. Also, the center has variety shoppong stores, restaurants, and coffee shopes.

 

Tell us more about your degree program or your academic achievements and opportunities

Through MPA program we learn about Social change work, or public service which falls into three broad categories: 

1.  government (federal, state, local, international institutions)

2.  nonprofit (direct services, advocacy, community organizing, philanthropy, some international institutions, education, and more)

3.  social entrepreneurship (including hybrid and cross-sectoral approaches to social change)

All couse such as American Governance, Public Policy, Budgeting, etc are related to those 3 categories.

I will pursue the highest level of education to become a scholar, a civic leader, and a capable public administrator. 

  

What are your life and career values?

My life and career values are embodied in love, peace, social justice, and distinguished service, by becoming a committed public leader and intellectual to provide Public Good and serve humanity.

 

Any other words, stories, or thoughts you’d like to share?

I have concluded that gift of my multi-cultural life, universal human values, and diversified education combined with my career orientation, constitute a powerful base and sound mandate for public service. I can achieve that vision by dedication to the comprehensive learning during the MPA studies.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Maribel Morua
Director

North Academic
Center Room  1/107
160 Convent Avenue New York, NY 10031

p: 212.650.8106/8107
f: 212.650.5833
e:  oisss@ccny.cuny.edu