Tell us what you have been up to.
I am a specialist in the empowerment of women from migrant backgrounds, child protection, violence prevention, and providing psychosocial support at the German Red Cross in Frankfurt. If I had to describe my job in one word, it would be ‘empowering’. Conflict management, empowerment, and integration, of two of the most vulnerable target groups – women and children – are my main focus areas.
Previously, I worked with Effect gGmbH in Bremen, an organization that helps refugees integrate within the German society. My role focused on being the cultural bridge between the refugees, who mostly spoke Arabic, and the government agencies, doctors, and personnel working with the refugees, who mostly spoke German. My German language skills allowed me to build stronger relationships with my colleagues and be a better advocate for the refugees I was working with.
Why did you choose Jacobs University?
My older sister attended Jacobs and I heard much about her positive experiences there. I had initially considered options in the United States but found that Jacobs University was one of the few options in Europe that offered the study program I was interested in – Integrated Social and Cognitive Psychology. Jacobs also boasted a diverse and vibrant international community, a comprehensive research-oriented environment, and internship opportunities, which I was eager to learn from. I was also offered an attractive scholarship and a financial aid package that made attending Jacobs quite feasible.