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NYU Paris Staff Spotlight: Martina Faltova

Posted on by Katie L
Martina Faltova in a coat and hat stands in front of a flower stand

Martina Faltova at Paris’ Bastille Market

In 2001 Martina Faltova was a study abroad student in Cambridge, England, when a chance encounter with an NYU professor led her to becoming his family’s au pair in New York City. Since her visa required a language course, she enrolled in Intermediate French at NYU. She loved the University so much that, when she returned home to the Czech Republic, she applied to work at NYU Prague. Now, more than 20 years later, she’s the assistant director for student life at NYU Paris.

Your job starts before students even arrive: organizing events, arranging housing, and prioritizing everyone’s safety and wellness. What inspired you to work with study away students?
I was a guest in another culture, and when I was leaving New York City, the family I lived with told me there was an NYU site in Prague and I should apply to it. And I loved that because I just came out of New York, I knew who the students were, and I felt like I could give back. Also, I love traveling, languages, meeting new people, and helping people learn more about Czech culture.

What role does language have in a student’s success at NYU Paris and NYU Prague?
In Paris the language course is required, so everyone has to take French. And it really makes your life easier. It’s a wonderful feeling when you can communicate, and it’s a really big sense of accomplishment. In Prague, though language courses are not required, learning Czech helps you make connections with the local people and understand the culture better too. Other language courses are offered at NYU Prague as well.

What are additional ways students can connect to local communities?
In Paris students can take courses at partner universities and hold internships. I also see students who choose to stay in a homestay, where they meet local families and become more connected to the place. In Prague I saw a lot of connections for the music students because they were performing in local places like pubs and would practice at other schools around Prague.

Three people seated at a table

An NYU Paris student interning at a nonprofit organization

What attracts students to each site?
In Prague there’s centuries and centuries of history around you. It’s also very affordable. You really can do anything: easily buy tickets to the opera, go to nice restaurants, or live on a budget. In Paris the arts scene is incredible for anyone taking art or film courses. Here, students leave the classroom and see the paintings they discussed, and they wander the streets featured in famous movies.

You mentioned that NYU Paris is also branching out from the arts.
NYU Paris has changed a lot in the past six years. When I arrived, the majority of our courses were in the humanities. Now we have more and more science, technology, engineering, and mathematics courses. So we see a lot of students studying computer science and mathematics.

Which initiative are you most proud of?
At the beginning of the semester, we bring in people from local communities like nongovernmental and volunteer organizations and promote our cultural activities and trips. We invite all of our student and club leaders to promote their work. Students just mingle and learn about these opportunities, then they sign up for clubs. They talk to organizations about volunteering and helping. I just love that day.

Written by Marti Trgovich

Study Away Prepares Students as Global Professionals and Global Citizens

Posted on , modified on by Katie L
Rawan Al-Wakeal

Rawan Al-Wakeal

We recently caught up with Rawan Al-Wakeal, manager of global career development at the NYU Wasserman Center for Career Development and Office of Global Programs (OGP). Below, she describes why study away is important for students to become global citizens as well as competitive applicants beyond their time at NYU.

Tell us about your role at Wasserman and OGP.

As manager of global career development, I coach students to develop their career narrative with a global lens and cultivate relationships with global employers and alumni abroad. I travel to various NYU locations each semester to introduce career development opportunities to our students around the world. And I am also in charge of reading global internship applications. I do all of this through an identity, diversity, belonging, equity, and accessibility (IDBEA) lens, with a particular focus on coaching study-away students to support them in their professional development.

How does studying away help NYU students in their careers?

Global experiences help students gain violet ready skills. The 10 skills in this set—including collaboration, professionalism, and intercultural fluency—are ones we’ve identified as being particularly in demand by employers. At the Wasserman Center, we work with students to ensure they can develop and enhance their skills, even while studying away.

Having a global mindset and international experience can set them apart in the job search, since many organizations are global. The global nature of NYU influences our alumni’s ability to adapt to a variety of environments, connect with people from different backgrounds, and excel in new places. Especially in uncertain times, those skills are vital to standing out among the crowd.

You’ve had a lot of international experience yourself. After going to college in Canada, you traveled in the Middle East and Africa. How have those experiences helped you in your career?

My international experience exposed me to various experiences and skills, such as intercultural and global fluency, communication, self-awareness, and reflection, that have supported my career development. Through my travel experiences and interaction with locals, I learned the importance of cultural diversity and sensitivity as well as gained an understanding of social cues and etiquette.

Additionally, I learned to actively listen, express myself clearly, and build relationships with colleagues from around the globe. I also learned to communicate and understand different languages and dialects such as colloquial Egyptian Arabic and North Levantine Arabic, which added to my understanding of Gulf Arabic.

Moreover, growing up as a global citizen and third-culture kid, I’ve witnessed how global issues and being from underprivileged backgrounds affect not only one’s livelihood but also one’s career development. I strive to advocate for these issues in my career and recommend that study away students interact with different cultures and make a positive, global impact through their careers. I encourage my students to try and understand the world around them while they are abroad and take part in every social, artistic, cultural, and diverse experience they can. These experiences will live with them for the rest of their lives. My own experiences live with me and made me who I am as a person and professional.

Written by Kristin Maffei

Diversity and Inclusion in the NYU Global Network: Chijioke Obasi Named Director for Global Programs Inclusive Engagement

Posted on , modified on by Maxine P

When Chijioke Obasi joined NYU earlier this year as director for global programs inclusive engagement, she brought a wealth of experience to the role. Dr. Obasi, who is based in London, began her higher education career as a communication support worker for deaf students who use sign language. Since then, she’s held various faculty and administrative roles in both social work and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). And she’s found that the two areas are more connected than one might think at first. “Valuing lived experience and cultural humility is transferable across both areas,” she says. “Working with difference and developing good intercultural communication skills are essential to both.”

Portrait of Dr. Chijioke Obasi

Dr. Chijioke Obasi

Dr. Obasi’s doctoral research at the University of Central Lancashire centered the experiences of Black women and culturally Deaf women at work in the UK. She notes that her previous experience and research are directly applicable to her new role. “My work for the Office of Global Programs has made me think about how accessible our study away programs are for students from many different backgrounds,” she says. “It would be great to increase access for students with physical disabilities, for example, but this would need to be done in a way that promotes a truly inclusive environment, where students feel a true sense of belonging. I am keen to work with students and other colleagues to look at how we might best do this.”

Given how different DEI is across the world, it’s no small feat to ensure students from all backgrounds feel this sense of belonging and are able to realize their full potential while studying away. “Because of all the wide-ranging histories, legislation, and cultural practices across the world, we are not looking for a one-size-fits-all approach,” says Dr. Obasi. 

It takes time to adjust to the culture, language, and even climate in a new country. Dr. Obasi offers students opportunities to tap into all the resources they have available for intercultural learning and communication. “From their predeparture to their return and beyond, our office ensures that all students have the chance to engage with their personal issues of identity and self-awareness as well as wider issues of global inclusion.”

To further their mission, Dr. Obasi and the Office of Global Programs now hold an online mixer where students from across the NYU global network can build community and discuss DEI issues. She also hopes to work closely with students currently studying away to make a series of videos about the global sites and student experiences within particular affinity groups. In addition, her plans to work closely with NYU staff and develop intercultural competence extend the scope of the typical global programs audience. The hope is that every community member can help make the NYU global network an even more diverse, welcoming, and vibrant place than it is already.

Written by Kristin Maffei

Focused on the Future of NYU London: A Conversation with Executive Director Mojtaba Moatamedi

Posted on by Katie L
Portrait of Dr.Mojtaba Moatamedi

Dr.Mojtaba Moatamedi

Dr. Mojtaba Moatamedi, NYU London’s new executive director, joined the staff in January 2023 and has big plans for the global location’s future. Formerly the president of Al Ghurair University in the United Arab Emirates, Moatamedi says it was the possibility surrounding NYU London and what lies ahead for the site, especially its new, state-of-the-art academic center slated to open in fall 2024, that drew him to the job.

Moatamedi brings a wealth of experience in senior leadership, research, and teaching to NYU London, and, prior to his role as Al Ghurair University’s president, he served as the university’s dean of the College of Engineering and Computing. He has also held leadership roles at Imperial College London, Cranfield University, the Arctic University of Norway, University of Salford, and the University of Sheffield.

Moatamedi’s education includes a PhD in Engineering from the University of Sheffield, an MBA from the University of Manchester’s Alliance Manchester Business School, and an LLM in International Business Law from the University of Leeds. His research and teaching focuses on multiphysics, modeling and simulations, and engineering design.

Global Dimensions recently caught up with Dr. Moatamedi. Here’s what he had to share:

Global Dimensions: What drew you to NYU London?

Dr. Moatamedi: The main excitement for me was the future of NYU London. A lot can happen with the new academic center building, opening next year. The University is very invested in NYU London, and I was drawn to the opportunity to really build something and make a difference—that is the biggest reason I came here.

Global Dimensions: You mentioned the new academic center on the horizon. How will this new space impact NYU London students?

Dr. Moatamedi: First, the last 25 years of NYU London has helped us shape what our students need both space- and technology-wise. So we kept the shell of the new building but removed everything else, designing it exactly for our students. Our current space is somewhat limited. For the most part, students come to class and then they leave. They don’t really have a place for “student life” just yet. But with the new building, the whole design—an outdoor space, student lounges, a place to pick up food and beverages—will be really exciting.

Second, the building is in one of the best locations in London. In terms of universities, we’re next to the London School of Economics and King’s College London. Being adjacent to other universities will enhance the student experience immensely. We’re also 10 to 15 minutes away from Downing Street and the Parliament of England. And it’s on one of the oldest streets in London in a central area for music and arts. So building this new academic center and becoming a neighbor of these universities will help us enhance the profile of NYU London in the United Kingdom.

Overall, the student experience is going to be amazing. Our students will really get to experience being a student in the UK while also getting a great education.

Global Dimensions: The building is anticipated to open fall 2024. Where are you in that process?

Dr. Moatamedi: We’ve already started. If you look at the building, the scaffolding is up and they’re hard at work.

It’s really exciting and, for me, personally, this building represents a long-term commitment. The future of NYU London is bright and it’s going to be different from any other academic site.

Global Dimensions: When it’s all said and done, what do you hope your students take away from their time at NYU London?

Dr. Moatamedi: Our students are getting to work with some of the best academics in the country (we have more than 100 faculty) who’ve worked at some of the top universities in the UK. And they all work hard to bring bits and pieces of UK history into our courses. When students are in class, we don’t want it to be a generic classroom experience—we want them to really learn about the UK.

Written by Kelly Stewart

Staff Spotlight: Edan Raviv, Assistant Director of Academics, NYU Tel Aviv

Posted on by Katie L
Portrait of Edan Raviv

Edan Raviv

Spending a semester in Tel Aviv, Israel, provides “a little bit of everything,” says Edan Raviv, assistant director of academics at NYU Tel Aviv. “There’s challenging courses, amazing networking opportunities, and a unique culture and society. It’s a more off-the-beaten-path experience for NYU students.”

Staff members like Raviv help students navigate the excitement and complexity of Tel Aviv from day one. The program includes an intensive weeklong orientation, with workshops on acclimatization, political diversity, basic Hebrew, and more. Guest lecturers, including Israeli diplomats, artists, and academics, teach students about Israel’s rich history and culture. A highlight for many students, says Raviv, is a visit to the Yitzhak Rabin Center, a famed museum and education institute.

Born to Israeli parents and raised in California, Raviv went to college at UC Santa Barbara, then earned his MA in Politics from NYU (2008), and later moved to Israel to pursue a PhD at Tel Aviv University. When he heard about the assistant director role at NYU Tel Aviv, he found it to be “an amazing fit,” combining his bicultural identity, background in academia, and administrative skills. He’s been in the role since fall 2016, supporting participants “to grow as students and as citizens.”

Throughout the semester, students receive ongoing personal support and myriad academic opportunities. For those interested in studying innovation, the program offers a generous grant. Students connect with staff members and one another through a weekly newsletter, an active Facebook group, and frequent WhatsApp chats. Off-campus, Tel Aviv offers students internships at burgeoning start-ups, prominent human rights organizations, and renowned museums.

A professor lectures a class of students

Raviv leads the Religion, Politics and the State in Comparative Perspective course.

In addition to participating in internships and cultural activities, students at NYU Tel Aviv have access to a world-class roster of professors as they learn about the history and politics of the region. And thanks to the program’s smaller scale, adds Raviv, students can connect with staff on an individual level. “My favorite part of the job is interacting with students from all over the world,” he says. “Knowledge, insight, and innovation can come from anywhere, regardless of age, previous knowledge, or background. Over the course of each semester, the students here learn so much, but I feel like I learn just as much, too.”

“The best part about NYU Tel Aviv is the diversity of experiences and perspectives,” affirms Raviv. “Students who want to grow—not just academically, but personally, socially, culturally, and professionally—will be very satisfied here.”

Staff Spotlight: Marian Ansa-Otu, Programs Manager of Student Services, NYU Accra

Posted on by Katie L
Portrait of Marian Ansa-Otu

Marian Ansa-Otu, Programs Manager of Student Services, NYU Accra

Students traveling to NYU Accra might not always know what to expect when studying abroad in one of the largest cities in Ghana. Once they get there, however, staff members like Marian Ansa-Otu are available to help make the transition as smooth as possible.

For more than a decade, Marian Ansa-Otu, the programs manager of Student Services at NYU Accra, along with her staff, has made students’ experiences her top priority. “We manage and assist with all aspects of student life, including orientation, cultural programming, health and wellness, and community engagement,” says Ansa-Otu. In fact, she says, Student Services at NYU Accra operates with an open-door policy. “Students can call, text, email, or walk into our offices to share their concerns with us and we will go to great lengths to find solutions.” What’s more, each student has two mandatory meetings per semester with Student Services, so they have ample opportunity to discuss their experiences, successes, and challenges, get assistance, and learn about upcoming events.

Student immersion in the Ghanaian culture is another prime directive of Ansa-Otu and her staff. “Our office collaborates with the academic and other support units to plan, develop, and coordinate programs that help ensure successful cultural adjustment into the Ghanaian environment.” To that end, the staff sponsors workshops, lectures, field trips, and special excursions that correlate with traditions like Career Week, Ally Week, and Cultural Diversity Day. “Planning cultural activities that students can actively participate in helps them learn more about their new environment and culture while adjusting at their own rate and level of comfort,” says Ansa-Otu.

Additional benefits Student Services provides include welcome lunches, farewell dinners, city tours, meditation/reflection rooms, and day and overnight trips to tour different parts of the country.

Ansa-Otu says there is myriad proof that Student Services at NYU Accra is having a transformative effect on students. “Sometimes you see students who change significantly from the start of the semester to the end, evolving into more reflective and engaged students,” Ansa-Otu says. “We even had one student say that coming to this center helped her better understand not only herself but also the world. She said that she felt empowered by her education and left feeling like a new, stronger person.”

Content repurposed with permission from NYU Global Notebook