Sunday, November 14, 2010

Somali student group reaching out for education

A new student group at Minnesota State University hopes to make it easier for Somali high school students to navigate the confusing world of college admissions and financial aid, and give new students a resource where they can go for advice about different majors.




A new Somali student group at Minnesota State University hopes to reach out to area high schools and help Somali kids and their families navigate the confusing world of higher education and financial aid.

The Somerican Student Association, begun this semester, is made up of students who have successfully made their way to college. But they realize that, for each one of them, there are many who may have been intimidated by the system, or perhaps simply didn’t know how to take that first step toward understanding.

Their goal is to set up meetings in area high schools — possibly beginning with Mankato East, the area school with the largest population of Somali students — and start the education process early.

“Without education, you can’t be successful,” says Abdullahi Abdullahi, president of the Somerican Student Association.

The American higher education landscape is not an easy one to navigate, even if you’re originally from here.

Admissions policies differ from school to school, as do deadlines. Transcripts must be sent. ACT tests must be taken. Visits must be made to campus (or campuses), comparing costs, figuring out which school is the right fit.

Now throw in financial aid. Figuring out how to pay for college is one of the most stress-inducing times any student faces.

The confusion factor is high anyway. But if you’re family has never been through it, it can seem insurmountable.

This group hopes to showcase role models, people who faced the same barriers but got through it.

“A lot of them are the first in their family to go to college,” group Vice President Hussein Moalim said. “We’re from the same culture. If we had success, they might think they can have success, too.”

The idea was born a few years ago at Owatonna High School, where Abdullahi, Moalim and many other Somali students attended before coming to MSU. Seeing how difficult it was for them, the students decided to try to do something that would make it easier for future students.

“This is how they are giving back to their community,” said AbdulKadir Alasow, the group’s adviser.

The group is set up so far to work on two fronts.

First, the high schoolers. Getting them information to get into school in the first place is their initial goal. Which school they go to is less important than simply getting in, the group says.

But for the ones who do come to MSU, the second front of their mission comes into play.

The group will be populated with Somali college students set to advise freshman. If a freshman chooses to major in engineering, an upper classman will be there to provide guidance above and beyond what they may get from their official academic advisers.

Also, Alasow says their group may provide additional assurance to a culture typically wary of sending women away from the family.

In addition to advising the students in the group, Alasow hopes to be a resource for families who may be concerned about their daughters and sons.

Source: mankatofreepress.com

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