International Student Profile: Ninaru Shtayyeh
By James Ensor, News Editor //
High Point University has numerous students interested in community service, but Ninaru Shtayyeh isn’t your typical student.
“I’m from the west bank of Palestine,” Shtayyeh said. “Whenever I’m in Palestine, I work as a paramedic.”
Shtayyeh has volunteered her services for many campaigns including wars and Ramadan.
“I’m a Muslim and we believe that you donate to the poor,” Shtayyeh said. “We had a campaign to donate books, clothes, and toys.”
She has created a name for herself in Palestine as she has been interviewed on TV several times, including on CNN.
“I have a busy life back in Palestine,” Shtayyeh said. “I’ve been interviewed about the campaign as well as social and political issues.”
Shtayyeh’s family consists of her older brother, Ibtahim, who is currently studying at HPU, a younger sister and her parents.
“My father is a Palestinian Secretary,” Shtayyeh said. “My mother is taking care of my younger sister back home.”
Growing up and even today, her father is her biggest idol.
“I want to walk in the same steps as my father. He really affects the lives of others,” Shtayyeh said. “He is the person in Palestine that everyone believes is doing the right thing, and I want to be a person that does the right thing all the time.”
Shtayyeh is a freshman this year majoring in mathematical economics. Outside of the classroom she is involved with the International Club on campus.
“This year, I’m not too involved because whenever you are in a different place you have to manage your time,” Shtayyeh said. “When you get used to it is when it gets easier, but right now I want to focus on my studies.”
Shtayyeh found HPU through a family friend her father knew. When her brother was looking at schools, their friend recommended the school.
“HPU is a different community and gives the students a chance to follow their dreams and be the person they want to be,” Shtayyeh said. “I love the campus.”
The biggest change from Palestine to the United States for Shtayyeh was the culture and the way life is structured.
“It’s a free country in the U.S., you can say or do whatever you want,” Shtayyeh said. “You don’t have to live in fear of being shot or being forced to leave your home.”
Although her brother prepared her for what life was like in the U.S., Shtayyeh still found it difficult to leave her home.
“The hardest part about moving to the U.S. was leaving my old life behind me,” Shtayyeh said. “You never know until you experience it yourself, but I had a little bit of fear.”
While moving to the U.S. presented some challenges for Shtayyeh, she is enjoying the time she has at HPU. After HPU, Shtayyeh hopes to finish her masters and then go back to Palestine.
“I came to the U.S. because I believe HPU is giving me the best education I can get,” Shtayyeh said. “I want to use that education to benefit my country.”
Overall Shtayyeh is excited to study at HPU.
“I think the way they teach here is a system that tells you that someday you’ll be something great,” Shtayyeh said. “I really love the educational system here and how you can find good people all around campus.”