Mosaiko

A Student Voice (Iran)

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I found out what America’s real name is after having spent only two days there during my first visit — the Land of Opportunity. Although I had always had an image of America in my mind, which was mostly influenced by blockbuster movies, I never thought I would one day have the chance to actually travel there.

In September 2009, I finally had the opportunity to visit the United States under the best of circumstances. I was one of six people from around the world who won the global Democracy Video Challenge that year, and all my travel expenses were being paid by the U.S. Department of State. The trip gave me the chance to visit several major cities and meet people from various cultural backgrounds, and, most exciting of all, to receive my award from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

As a young artist, I had always dreamt of being in the city that is considered to be the heart of the art world, the truly amazing Big Apple, New York City. When I arrived in New York, I realized that it was exactly as I had always imagined it to be. Soon, I felt that this was a place where I would love to live and to make the best of every minute of my time there. I therefore started researching various universities and art schools in the city. I had always wanted to further my studies in art and cinema and to obtain a masters degree in fine arts from a high-caliber institution, and there are almost as many such schools in New York as there are shopping malls in Dubai where I currently live. The next step was to prepare documents, portfolios, transcripts, etc. — many of them for each of the art schools I wanted to apply to.

For an international student, the process comprises not only applying to the schools and universities and then waiting impatiently for their replies, but also applying for visas. I’m an Iranian citizen, and when one of the universities I had applied to requested that I come for an in-person interview, I realized that it would be impossible for me to receive a visa to travel to the United States in time for the scheduled meeting and that I would probably lose that opportunity.

There are many emotional ups and downs, feelings of confusion, desperation, of not being able to plan ahead. Applicants invest a lot of time, energy, and hope in the application process, and university administrations and faculty members spend time and effort to determine whether you qualify as a potential candidate. In addition, there are other major questions that you must answer: If I am accepted, how can I finance it all? Is it really worth that much money?

The expenses are mind-blowing, especially for non-U.S. citizens who, in addition to living expenses and tuition, must also factor in travel costs. And facing these problems, it’s you and your dreams.

Again you calm yourself down and you look in the mirror, smile, and continue to have faith that there is a way. Regardless of what you are going through, it is important to keep yourself on track and to be productive in whatever you do. This was the biggest lesson I learned during the time I was waiting for others to decide where my future would lead.

For more information about the Democracy Video Challenge, see http://www.videochallenge.america.gov/ and http://www.youtube.com/democracychallenge. See also Campus Connections and College and University Education in the United States.