Support our International Students: The International Buddy Program - A Multaqa Discussion
- Registration Closed
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
Manager for Residence Education
American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK)
Manal Ammagui began her student affairs journey during her undergraduate years at the University of South Florida (USF), serving as a Resident Assistant and participating in numerous student affairs conferences. She went on to pursue a Master of Arts in French at USF, where she expanded her professional experience by holding two key roles: Assistant Residence Life Coordinator in her first year and the inaugural Graduate Assistant for Residential Student Success position in her second year, all while remaining a French Instructor both years.
Manal went on to Stetson University for two years, playing a pivotal role in shifting the institution from a programming model to a curricular model, building a more intentionally designed residential experience.
Her career then took her abroad, where she spent three years as the inaugural Residential Hall Coordinator at the American University of Sharjah (AUS) before becoming the first-ever Manager for Residence Education at the American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK). In this current role, Manal continues to shape a legacy of co-curricular education within residential communities, emphasizing holistic student development and engagement.
Manal has been actively involved in NASPA's MENASA Area since 2022, starting as a recruitment volunteer with the Professional Development Committee. She later served in the Conference Committee, first as the MENASA24 Programming Co-Chair, then as the MENASA25 Conference Co-Chair and MENASA26 Conference Chair. Manal is now the Special Projects Team Lead.
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.