Meet Teen Refugee Response John Marshall Tutor, Tasneem Almasri
Tasneem was hired by the OCE as a Viking Corps tutor for the Fall 2022 semester. Tasneem is majoring in Health Sciences with a focus in Pre-Dentistry and a minor in Arabic.
How did you hear about the OCE's Viking Corps & America Reads program?
I first heard about this opportunity from a recruitment email from the Director of the Office of Civic Engagement, Anita Ruf-Young. I was initially interested and specifically chose to work at the Teen Refugee Response John Marshall site because I knew I could be helpful to the refugee students with my knowledge and ability to speak both Arabic and English fluently.
Are you involved in any clubs or organizations?
At CSU, I participate in the Muslim Student Association (MSA) and I also participate in Trio program events.
What do you feel you are gaining from being a tutor?
Being a tutor has given me a lot to look forward to. I have learned new things and developed several different skills that will definitely be useful to me in the future. For instance, from my interactions with students and other CSU tutors, both my listening and communication skills have significantly improved. I have also learned how to interact positively and effectively with students in order to best serve their needs and interests.
How meaningful do you find the work you are doing to help refugee students?
I find it very meaningful to assist refugee students, especially because I feel that we have shared a variety of similar experiences. I moved to the United States in 2016, and I wasn't very fluent in the English language or aware of the social norms. I had to learn in order to start my new life and gain connections with others here. I can imagine it is similar to refugees as well; for them, it's a new beginning. I felt compelled to join the OCE Viking Corps program at Teen Refuge Response to not only assist the students academically, but also to share my experience with them.
Why do you think programs like, the OCE Viking Corps program at CSU, are important?
I believe this program is important for refugee students because it helps them rebuild their lives with the necessary education and skills they need in order to be successful. I say this because I have witnessed how thoughtful the staff at Teen Refugee Response is with the educational outcomes of the students. Everyone present is more than happy to assist and will do whatever is needed to help them reach their goals. This also helps the refugee students build connections with others especially because the majority of students in the program have similar challenges and life experiences.