Considering that I am graduating December 2018, my anxiety has risen with time passing. I keep wondering where all the Eastern Mennonite University graduates are in the world right now and if their EMU degree has helped them pursue their dreams.
Therefore, I contacted a graduate student from Spring 2018. Her name is Adila Wahdat.
“I came to the US from Kabul, Afghanistan in 2014 to pursue my dream of becoming a digital media artist. I started my undergraduate program at Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) in August 2014,” Wahdat stated.
She continued, “Coming from Afghanistan, where there are very limited opportunities for girls and women, I was finally able to follow my dreams and explore the freedom that many girls and women do not have access to in Afghanistan.”
Indeed, Wahdat has had quite a journey not only from Afghanistan to the United States, but also discovering and affirming her identity as a woman in a Western society.
“I recently graduated from EMU with a bachelor’s degree in Digital Media and a minor in Journalism. These four years of university empowered me in so many ways.
“It enhanced my creativity, encouraged me to express myself as an artist, know my rights, raise my voice, and become a role model for other young women in my country,” Wahdat said.
Wahdat has done an excellent job learning and sharing about the differences between the two cultures. Her passion is to empower women in her country and serve as a mentor to them.
“A few days after my graduation ceremony in April 2018, I moved to NYC for a short internship with a Britishbased organization, Future Brilliance, which runs projects in many countries in south and central Asia, mainly in Afghanistan, to empower the local businesses and artisans — particularly women.
Wahdat also has a passion for designing jewelry with Afghan design. “I worked with Future Brilliance as a jewelry design intern where I helped the team to come up with a new fine jewelry collection, communicate with the local artisans in Afghanistan, and deliver trainings.”
Wahdat’s ambitions are high. She took the experience from EMU, went to NYC, and discovered another stellar opportunity for herself.
“After wrapping up my internship in NYC, I moved to Portland, Ore. for another internship in June 2018. I started my internship with Square 1, a marketing and advertising company based in Portland, as a creative concepting intern. This internship allowed me to translate what I learned in classrooms into real work. Working closely with professionals was another great learning opportunity.”
Wahdat’s summer was full of activities and skill practice. Her future is getting more challenging considering the immigration laws that limits all of the international students.
“I finished my internship with Square 1 on Sept. 30, 2018. However, I was hoping to get my Optional Practical Training (OPT) to start a job after my internship.
“It is required for international students after graduation in order to get a job. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen. The process is getting very slow and tough. My application got canceled twice, and it might take longer than usual to get my OPT. At the moment, all my focus is on putting together my OPT documents and to re-apply.”
Despite the struggles along the way, Wahdat still lives in Portland. She said, “My goal is to get a job with another marketing agency as a designer as soon as I get my [Optional Practical Training]. At the same time, during my spare time, I enjoy exploring the city with my camera and take pictures, as well as work on a jewelry collection inspired by Afghan ancient embroidery motifs.”
