Graduate Alumni Spotlight | Amani Al-Dajane, MBA'20

"I love this college so much! I feel that it’s a very diverse and inclusive community. To me, Hood is like home for so many international students. It makes you feel welcome and makes you feel that your voice can be heard."

Amani Al-Dajane, MBA'20

Program

Business Administration (MBA)

Department

The George B. Delaplaine Jr. School of Business

Alumni
Career Center
Graduate School
Graduate Student
Staff

Academics
International Students
Business

09/09/2022

Amani Al-Dajane, MBA’20, joined the Graduate School team in November 2021 as director of international student services. In her position, Amani focuses on providing support and creating special programs for international students. Amani also serves as the College’s principal designated school official (PDSO), with oversight of international student immigration policy and visa compliance.

She was born and raised in Kuwait and then immigrated to Canada, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in sociology and economics with honors from University of Toronto. She obtained her Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Hood College and was inducted into the International Business Honor Society, Delta Mu Delta. Amani is bilingual in English and Arabic and enjoys traveling abroad.

Why did you choose to work at Hood College?

I initially worked in the Career Center in 2018, and I began as Hood College’s director of international student services and principal designated school official (PDSO) in 2021. I love this college so much! I feel that it’s a very diverse and inclusive community. To me, Hood is like home for so many international students. It makes you feel welcome and makes you feel that your voice can be heard.

What is your job at Hood like? What are your responsibilities?

My role comes with many responsibilities. I manage the student exchange visitor program for all F1 (international) students. I also provide support and create special programs for international students. For example, I will be the organizer for International Education Week starting on November 14.

I started managing the international peer mentorship program last spring, though it had been around prior to that. I love my job, even if there is a lot on my plate. I respect people of other backgrounds and religions, no matter what. I incorporate that respect into my work. Overall, I relate very well to students of diverse backgrounds.

What is the international peer mentorship program? What is your role in it?

The international peer mentorship program selects returning F1 graduate students. We ask them to volunteer their time to mentor new, upcoming F1 grad students. I pick out, identify and train qualified mentors to help these new F1 grad students. My role is to manage the mentorship program. I try to match people of similar backgrounds, so they can speak their own languages and be comfortable.

Mentors share their experience with their mentees. The international peer mentorship program makes new students more engaged, as mentors are assigned to take their mentees to events like the Community and Service Fair.

Are there any success stories from the program that you could share?

Sandeep Malipeddi, a current student in the M.S. in cybersecurity program, noted, “My mentor is good at providing details about the class and all other things about Hood College, which helped to start this school.”

Marilyn Scott, a current MBA candidate, also had a very positive experience with the program. She said, “Leaving my country by myself and coming here, I didn’t know what to expect, even though I was hoping for the best. So, to have someone I can easily connect with was a lifesaver. Because of her mentorship, it was easy for me to navigate the semester, get assignments done and understand my professors’ expectations for classes. It was a good thing I had someone to talk to being a stranger in the country as well as the Hood community. It helped reduce anxiety and uncertainties.”

What do you hope that students gain from the international peer mentor program?

The goal is to assist new F1 graduate students in making a smooth and successful transition into Hood College. New F1 graduate students should learn how to make use of the resources at Hood. The program should also help new international students move past the initial culture shock.

Are there any other interesting facts about yourself that you would like to share?

I was born and raised in Kuwait, and I later moved to Canada. From there, I went from Nova Scotia to Toronto and other locations. I know what it is like to move from one place to another. My education in Canada emphasized diversity and allowed me to meet other students of diverse backgrounds. International students make me feel at home at Hood College.

Learn more about our international students here.