WASHINGTON, March 31, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- When Sinan Zeino was a teenager in his native country
of Syria, he worked as a tourist
guide for visitors coming to visit historic Medieval castles.
While conducting the tours, he practiced speaking English and
dreamed about coming to America one day.
Now less than 10 years later, as a result of the scholarship
provided through the Emergency Student Fund of the Institute of International Education (IIE), the
24-year-old Syrian native is living in America and pursuing a
degree in social work at Salve Regina
University in Newport, Rhode
Island.
"While growing up I always heard about America, where you can
have the freedom to be yourself and that it's the land of
opportunity," Sinan said. "Now I am here and thanks to
the IIE scholarship, I am getting an education at a great college
in the country I used to dream about."
He is one of 43 Syrian students enrolled in American colleges
and universities who receive scholarship funding through the
generosity of Syrian businessman Mr. Moataz
Al-Khayyat who owns 17 business enterprises in several
Middle Eastern countries.
"I believe helping the students to finish their
degrees is very important because it's through their gained
knowledge that a new Syria can be
rebuild with capabilities to move the country forward once
democracy is established," Mr. Al-Khayyat said.
Before coming to America, Sinan mentored children and helped to
distribute food and water to families that lost their homes."The
reason I am interested in social work is that as a Syrian I have
witnessed a lot of violence. There are thousands of children left
without homes and I want to help people in need."
Sinan also wants to use his education to help combat social
problems in America. "There are social problems here such as
homelessness," he said. "I want to be one of those people
working to help solve those
problems."
After finishing his degree next year, Sinan plans to get
involved with raising funds for people in war-torn areas and to
raise a voice for international social workers. "I want the
American people to know that the Syrian people are one of the
nicest, friendliest and most generous people on earth. They deserve
support, especially more aid for the children."
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SOURCE Institute of International
Education (IIE)