STCC opened doors for Iraqi refugee and family

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – When she was 14, Sara Almoula and her family left war-torn Iraq to start a new life in the United States.

Working with the United Nations, the Almoulas relocated to West Springfield in the summer of 2010. While they didn’t know anyone in New England and were unfamiliar with the region, the refugees received a helping hand from institutions like Springfield Technical Community College – first through the English as Second Language programs and then through the degree and certificate programs.

“A lot of people recommended STCC to me,” Sara Almoula said. “My brother and sister went there. Not only that, my parents went there to learn the English language, especially my mom (Alwand Fattah).”

Almoula’s father, Samir Almoula, already knew some English. In Mosul, Iraq, he served as a translator for the U.S. Army, a job that ultimately led to their decision to leave their homeland. Working for the Americans put the family’s lives at risk while living in Mosul. They received threats – her father was placed on a “killing list.”

When she first moved to West Springfield, Sara knew no English. She admitted the move was a “big adjustment, especially when you’re 14.”

“I’m well aware of everything – the culture and religious differences,” she said. “It was tough.”

Today, Sara Almoula holds degrees from STCC and two other colleges. She earned her associate degree in liberal arts/general studies from STCC in 2017. She became a U.S. citizen in 2016, but also holds Iraqi citizenship. Almoula works as an adjustment counselor at Coburn Elementary School, helping children in pre-kindergarten through grade 1.

The 26-year-old wants to help children meet their needs, academically and socially. She said she relates to any families and children who have emigrated from other countries and are feeling overwhelmed and even traumatized.

While she is a respected counselor at Coburn, it was a long path that brought her to the job she loves. She credits the support she received from institutions like the West Springfield schools and STCC with helping her to achieve success.

I honestly didn’t think I would ever get my master’s but starting at STCC opened all these doors for me. Sara Almoula '17 STCC alumna

Almoula applied to STCC after three years at West Springfield High School. She took English as a Second Language (ESL) classes offered through the West Springfield school system. Today she is trilingual and speaks Arabic, Kurdish and English.

“I was very nervous about going to college,” she said. “When I went to STCC, I felt very welcomed. It was a great start for me because I didn’t know much about colleges.”

She told STCC professors English was not her first language – or even second – and needed extra help to understand the textbooks.

“They were very understanding. They used to give me extra help and extra time to finish my assignments,” she said.

STCC Vice President of Student Affairs Darcey Kemp said Sara Almoula’s story is a reflection of the mission of the college: to support students as they transform their lives.

“At STCC, we are proud to offer an inclusive, welcoming and safe environment where students have access to a wide variety of support services and resources, from tutoring and academic advising to non-academic support like the Center for Access Services,” Kemp said.

The professors also were accommodating and respected her religious practices as a Muslim.  “STCC was a very safe environment for me,” she said. “I could be myself there.”

Sara Almoula’s father, Samir Almoula, who was a chemist in Iraq before working as a translator, earned a certificate in a laboratory program from the college in 2013 and now works at Baystate Medical Center. Her older brother and sister, Sarmad and Bana, also earned associate degrees from STCC in 2015 and 2017.

Sara Almoula took advantage of the STCC to Elms College bachelor degree completion program for social work. After earning her two-year associate degree, she continued her classroom studies on the STCC campus and earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from the College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee.

Almoula continued her education through a STCC-Elms partnership with St. Louis University and obtained her Master of Social Work degree.

“I honestly didn’t think I would ever get my master’s but starting at STCC opened all these doors for me,” she said. “It was great. I’m the only person from both sides of my family with a master’s. It’s huge for me.”

While studying as a college student, Almoula worked as a paraprofessional teacher. She enjoyed the flexibility STCC offered. She took night classes and completed some school work online which allowed her to work during the day.

“STCC really opened a lot of doors for me,” she added. “It was a great experience. I had been in the country only for three years. I thought I didn’t really know what I was doing, but STCC guided me.”

Interested in applying to STCC? Visit stcc.edu/apply or call Admissions at (413) 755-3333.

About Springfield Technical Community College

STCC, the Commonwealth's only technical community college, continues the pioneering legacy of the Springfield Armory with comprehensive and technical education in manufacturing, STEM, healthcare, business, social services, and the liberal arts. STCC's highly regarded workforce, certificate, degree, and transfer programs are the most affordable in Springfield and provide unequaled opportunity for the vitality of Western Massachusetts. Founded in 1967, the college – a designated Hispanic Serving Institution – seeks to close achievement gaps among students who traditionally face societal barriers. STCC supports students as they transform their lives through intellectual, cultural, and economic engagement while becoming thoughtful, committed and socially responsible graduates.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jim Danko, (413) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu

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