Narjis Abdawani remembers her introduction to respiratory care well.
Several respiratory therapists came to her high school, explaining to the students what they did and why their country’s healthcare system needed more people trained in this specialty. Abdawani, who had already been thinking about a career in the medical field, was interested.
Abdawani
She still is after completing the lion’s share of an undergraduate degree in respiratory care at The University Toledo, and after working hands-on shifts alongside professionals at The University of Toledo Medical Center.
“Respiratory therapists are there for a person’s first breath to their last breath,” she reflected. “It’s a big responsibility, but it’s been so rewarding to be a part of that care team.”
Abdawani is one of the more than 1,400 international undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at The University of Toledo, many of whom came through international partnership programs. The Center for International Studies and Programs is celebrating the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide with programming this week for International Education Week, a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education.
Abdawani connected with UToledo via a government scholarship program in Oman, which matches students with higher education institutions in and out of the country based on their academic program preferences and grades. Abdawani hoped for placement based on her top choice, respiratory care, and was pleased to ultimately enroll at UToledo beginning in January 2020.
At the time she was among the first students Oman had sent to UToledo. Today she’s one of more than 30 Omanis, and president of the newly organized Omani Student Association. The organization is set to host their first major event celebrating Oman’s National Day on Saturday, Nov. 18.
She and seven other students from her country began their journeys at UToledo in the American Language Institute (ALI), which provides intensive English training to students, scholars and area residents. For Abdawani, who had already passed the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) in Oman, it wasn’t the language instruction that proved most helpful, although she did pick up some helpful nuances of the language as it’s spoken colloquially.
She instead credits the institute with easing her transition to life in the United States, and remaining a resource well after she graduated to begin her academic program.
“The staff there have been like a family to us,” she said. “Their doors are always open.”
Dr. Ting Li is the curriculum coordinator and an instructor for the American Language Institute.
“Narjis has always been an outstanding student since she started at UToledo in 2020,” she said. “Not only does she excel in her studies, Narjis also demonstrates strong leadership skills through serving on the ALI Student Council and becoming one of our student workers after graduation. As her teacher and advisor, I’m always so proud of her achievement every step of the way. Narjis is truly a role model for other students. I cannot wait to see her shine more in the future.”
As Abdawani and her companions were adjusting to day-to-day life in the United States, the coronavirus pandemic upended day-to-day life for everyone. She and her cohort headed back to Oman by March 2020 and continued to take most of their classes online even when they returned to campus that August. But as she closes in on graduation in the spring, campus life is looking a bit more like what she had expected as a newly arrived freshman.
Among the highlights has been the International Dinner, or I-Dinner, organized annually by the International Students Association. It features food and performances reflecting a wide variety of countries and cultures. Abdawani assisted in the food and marketing committee last year.
She’s also enjoying the course of study she’s chosen, a feeling that’s only been bolstered by her hands-on experience at UTMC. She’s been working at least two 12-hour shifts each month as a respiratory therapist student since February.
Abdawani said she’s eager to continue learning after graduation, and to eventually take the skills she’s honed back to the hospitals and healthcare facilities in Oman.
Dr. Zakaria Alyousif, an assistant professor in the respiratory care program, said he anticipates a bright future for her.
“Narjis has truly proved herself as a leader and so much more,” he said. “Since I have known her, she has shown me a true heart for other people and a passion to do what is right, which is reflected in her strong desire to be a respiratory therapist and her kind words to everyone she meets.
“Mentally and physically, Narjis takes every challenge and pushes it to make her a better person. She is a very hard worker, and her mental capacity for challenging situations is 10 times greater.”
