Saudi student Saqer's bright and resilient attitude was born out of a turbulent few years of pain, grief, and slow recovery.
"I've always been on the move, from one city to another across Saudi Arabia," shares Saqer, reflecting on his diverse upbringing.
Born in Jezan and having worked in Riyadh as a teaching assistant, Saqer's life is a blend of academic excellence, athletic ambition, and a deep-rooted connection with his family.
Saqer was always a high achiever, taking on various athletic and academic roles in his life. Amidst being a soccer player, basketball player, ice skater and swimmer, Saqer was a university graduate working as a teaching assistant.
A hard time today will help us tomorrow
Saqer’s bright and resilient attitude was born out of a turbulent few years of pain, grief, and slow recovery.
A series of devastating injuries left Saqer in a difficult position. Multiple breaks to both ankles, including being hit by a car, along with a misdiagnosis and inadequate surgeries, changed his life completely. Saqer could no longer participate in all his sporting endeavours, and a long period of recovery intercepted his desire to further his studies. Despite the challenges he was faced with, Saqer kept his innate courage and resolve, determined to pursue his dreams despite the circumstances, and hoping to inspire others to do the same.
“If you can't fly, run; if you can't run, walk; if you can't walk, crawl…” These words encouraged Saqer to continue to fight for his dreams.
Saqer was forced to drop out of university when he was severely injured and told it would take at least a year and a half to recover.
“There are always people suffering more than me”, Saqer reflects bravely, but at the time these compounding difficulties were not easy to endure.
It would take a trip across the globe to prove to Saqer that all these years of courage and resilience were leading him right where he needed to be.
A new chapter
For Saqer, his chronic pain was the very thing which motivated him to continue to challenge himself. Saqer’s risk-taking and adventurous spirit led him to UOW College, where he would continue his studies, meet people who inspired him, and have the opportunity to inspire others.
It wasn’t an easy journey. Some days Saqer would attend his classes after restless nights, and always navigating the flare ups of his chronic pain. The kindness of his teachers and peers made Saqer feel more than capable of fighting on – even when they encouraged him to take a break.
Coming from another country, culture, language and community, all in addition to his chronic pain, made Saqer’s experience especially difficult. He attributes his success in the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program to the strong bond he had with his teachers, as well as his classmates, with whom he was able to form strong bonds that broke the barriers between language and culture.
Saqer was juggling his intimidation with pain, study, and homesickness. Being able to access the support for students that was available to him at UOW College was life-changing, but it was his internal ability to motivate and inspire himself which made all the difference.
Saqer felt welcomed not just by UOW College staff, but also on Dharawal land. The sea, the mountains, and the lush environment of UOW’s Wollongong campus gave him a sense of peace that was sorely needed amidst so much change. He’s even planted a garden at his accommodation.
Advice for future students
Saqer’s high praise for UOW College’s English Language programs comes from a mix of personal experience with the endless support on hand, as well as the multitude of essential skills he learned in the courses.
He also shares some academic insights for new ETS students. “The hardest part of the course”, he says, is gaining the specific set of skills required to successfully progress through university. Despite the initial challenge, he is now confident at using the UOW library website, citing and creating a bibliography, deciphering academic articles, accessing scholarly websites, and writing texts that cater to his specific area of study.
It is precisely these skills which build a foundation for students to succeed as they enter their course at UOW. Now that he’s studying his master's in human resource management, Saqer feels confident in his high-achieving abilities, and is grateful for his experience at UOW College.
Saqer’s fiery resilience, indestructible ambition, and clear vision for his future have characterised his journey through both personal and academic development. Along with the support he received at UOW College and the tight-knit, diverse community he’s built, Saqer’s passion has led him to achieve more than he could have ever thought possible.
Saqer
English For Academic Purposes
Master of Human Resource Management