NASPA Online Learning Community

Support our International Students: The International Buddy Program - A Multaqa Discussion

Support our International Students: The International Buddy Program - A Multaqa Discussion

MENASA Multaqas are one-hour member engagement sessions that create a space for student affairs professionals in the Middle East, North Africa and Southeast Asia area to engage and connect, and to build a culture of support, collaboration, innovation, research, and professional development.

Join us to learn about how the American University of Sharjah supports its international students who live in the residential halls. The International Buddy Program fosters a sense of community among international students through intentional pairing, a buddy checklist, and monthly socials.

The presenters will introduce their institution and share insight into the student population living on campus. The International Buddy Program is an intentionally designed initiative to provide peer-to-peer support between new incoming international students and returning international students living on campus. This presentation will explain how the program came to be, how it has been going, and how we hope to improve it. There will also be an opportunity to hear from other institutions about similar programs they are implementing or want to implement. 

Manal Ammagui

Residential Hall Coordinator

American University of Sharjah

Manal Ammagui began her student affairs journey during her undergraduate years as a Resident Assistant in the halls on campus at the University of South Florida (USF) where she also participated in numerous student affairs conferences. Manal continued at USF to pursue a Master of Arts in French while serving as an Assistant Residence Life Coordinator her first year and then as the inaugural Graduate Assistant for Residential Student Success her second year. She stayed in Florida for two more years at Stetson University where she was a Residential Life Coordinator and developed their Residential Curriculum thanks to her previous experience and passion for student development and leadership in the residential halls.

Manal has now been at the American University of Sharjah (AUS) as a Residential Hall Coordinator, the first-ever position of its kind at AUS. While in the region, Manal joined the MENASA-NASPA board in 2022 under the Professional Development Committee and then continued the following year through the Conference Team for the 18th MENASA-NASPA Conference. Manal is now the Co-Chair for the 19th MENASA-NASPA Conference.

Amar Granulo

Residential Coordinator

American University of Sharjah

Amar Granulo is a Residential Coordinator at American University of Sharjah currently. He has a BA in international relations from Hood College in Maryland and an MA in higher education administration and student development from Shepherd University in West Virginia. Previously, he worked at Florida Atlantic University as an Operations Manager and as a Hall Director at Shepherd University.

His scope of work mainly focuses on coordinating youth action programs for higher ed institutions and non profit organizations. He also offers guidance and support to all of his students and make sure that they become the best in their future careers.

Osamah Al Nammary (Moderator)

Residence Hall Coordinator

American University of Sharjah

Osamah Al Nammary is a Residence Hall Coordinator at the American University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. He has worked within the student services sector for the past seven years. Starting his career in student services in Canada, he pursued the skills and knowledge to assist students in pursuing their degrees effectively. During that time, mental health and wellness have become a critical factor in Osamah’s career due to the rising awareness of the importance of mental health within the world and its effect on individuals. Promoting wellness and mental health has become a key factor within Osamah’s career in student services, promoting wellness and self-care within universities, and educating students of its importance.

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