Ghezlan OstathFemale Kuwaiti Student Thrived at Temple University
By Bruce E. Beans
Emulating the growing role that women now play in Kuwaiti society, a year after Ghezlan A lOstath arrived at Temple University in Philadelphia, she founded and became the first president of the Temple Arab Student Society (TASS).
“When I first arrived in 2009,” says Al Ostath, who late last year earned a BA
degree in speech, language and hearing science, “it was very difficult to find
another Kuwaiti student. Now there are about 100, and more than 190 total
students from the Middle East, and TASS is thriving.”
“It just shows the dedication the Office of International Affairs has towards
Kuwaiti and Arab students,” says the Kuwait City native. “I wanted to create a home away from home for these students, and I found tremendous support, both from the university and from Temple students, both Arab and American, who wanted to experience this culture and traditional lifestyle. It’s a close-knit international community.”
The success Al Ostath had in starting and leading TASS—as well as her involvement with planning committees for the university’s global women’s panel discussion series and the Officeof international Affairs homecoming festivities—underscores her contention that Temple offers students ample opportunities to learn and lead, both inside and outside of the classroom. She
also served on the planning committee for the National Union of Kuwaiti Students-USA Branch.
“It’s not only about an outstanding education from an acclaimed university, but it’s also about gaining lifetime experiences,” she says. “Temple gave me the opportunity to work with renowned professors who challenged me every day. By the time I graduated, I was ready for the real world. I was also able to discover my own strengths, interest areas and talents through student leadership.”
Traveling extensively throughout the United States since arriving at Temple, she likes Philadelphia’s convenient location between New York City and Washington, D.C., and loves the city’s student-friendly environment: “It’s a city for everyone: students, professionals, sports enthusiasts, foodies, art lovers and music/history appreciators.”
A recipient of the Excellence Academic Merit Scholarship from Kuwait’s Ministry of Higher Education, which covered her tuition, book costs and living expenses, she ultimately wants to return the favor. Currently she’s implementing everything she learned at Temple as an intern working in the Philadelphia suburbs with young children with speech difficulties.
“It’s definitely rewarding,” says Al Ostath, who also wants to go to graduate school. “My experiences here and at Temple have prepared me to ultimately go back home and give hope to people in Kuwait who are suffering from speech and language impediments.”
