Mariam and her family fled Syria and came to the U.S. seeking safety and security. Although she earned an Associate Degree in Civil Engineering in Syria, her credentials are not recognized here.
Determined to provide for her family, she essentially started her education over when she became a student at Wake Tech Community College. Mariam has since been accepted by North Carolina State University as a transfer student to enter the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education program. Her goal, upon graduation, is to teach middle school mathematics.
Mariam and her husband have three sons, twelve, ten, and five years old. As Christians in Syria, they experienced increasing threats by Muslim rebels. In fact, they left their home country very suddenly when the lives of both Mariam and her husband were threatened and they urgently needed a safe home for their children.
Courageously starting over in a new country, Mariam is willing to do whatever it takes to make a better life for her family. She states, “I am a good student. I know I can succeed in my new home if I work hard.”
Currently, Mariam’s occasional work as a substitute teacher is the only income for the family. She knows that gaining an education is an important step to be able to provide a steady, livable income for her family. It will also give her an opportunity to contribute to her new community.