ESL Academy International Student: “I Feel Welcomed Every Day.”
Kuwaiti Student Excels in BA/BS-DDS Program at CU Denver | CU Anschutz
Jun 1, 2021
“Personally, I felt that the ESL program made me feel comfortable in classes, even with classes in Zoom,” explained Ibraheem Hadi. “Instructors are always available if a student has a question, which really eases the studies.”
Hadi, an outstanding student from Kuwait, is studying biology and plans to continue into dental medicine through the BA/BS-DDS degree program at the University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus. Students in the BA-BS-DDS program study undergraduate sciences in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences on the CU Denver campus, and dental medicine at the School of Dental Medicine on the CU Anschutz campus. The program is one of several innovative pathway programs that are available through cross-campus collaborations.
A fully accredited institution, the university offers exemplary academics and career preparation in one of America’s most livable cities. International students from more than 130 countries have benefited from opportunities for freshman scholarships, on-campus employment, and 57 STEM-OPT (science, technology, engineering, math – optional practical training) eligible programs. CU Denver ranks #398 worldwide in the QS World University Rankings 2021 and #113 in Top Public Universities/USA in U.S. News & World Report. CU Anschutz is at the forefront of transformative education, science, medicine and healthcare, with two of the nation’s top hospitals on campus, the University of Colorado Hospital and Children’s Hospital Colorado. CU Anschutz is also respected for the bench-to-bedside activities of Sparks Colorado, which is a part of CU Innovations.
Many students choose to also attend the university’s ESL (English as a Second Language) Academy to improve their English language fluency, and to aid their success in CU Denver | CU Anschutz virtual or on-campus degree programs. Throughout the 2020-2021 challenges caused by the global pandemic, international students continued to get answers about important visas and immigration questions, and the latest information about how to apply for Fall 2021 admissions. They’ve also found a true community of support that includes virtual social and cultural activities.
Hadi explained that he has always been curious about medicine and health sciences; learning biology in high school further developed his interest for the subject. “I feel engaged when learning, and I want to learn more about this subject area.”
Students at the university are serious about their studies, and when it’s time for recreation, Colorado has more than 300 days of sunshine per year, 200 parks, and the “best trail system” in the nation. Set against the backdrop of the dramatic Rocky Mountains, Denver is a thriving city centrally located in the United States, and is home to one of the nation’s best international airports.
“The ESL Academy has made my experience here in Denver feel very comfortable,” said Hadi. “I feel welcomed every day.”
As students, faculty, and staff continue to safely return to CU Denver and CU Anschutz, more options are possible for studying remotely as well as on-campus. Hadi said that he likes going to classes “because I feel more engaged, “ but studying at home has been comfortable.
“I feel like things are slowly getting more stable with the pandemic, so I feel like I am already able to explore as much as I want to,” he concluded. “I mainly enjoy going to hiking trails in Denver – the scenery is beautiful and the environment is appealing for any active person!”
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