Full-time international student, International Accelerator Program (IAP) ambassador, photographer, model, and more — meet Fatimah from Saudi Arabia! Currently pursuing her tourism management degree at the University of South Carolina (USC), Fatimah’s journey highlights how hard work, perseverance, and passion can help international students achieve anything they set their minds to.
Read on to learn more about how Fatimah secured a full scholarship to study at USC and how her ability to balance multiple professional interests enables her to take advantage of diverse opportunities.
Fatimah’s Journey to a Full Scholarship at USC
In 2012, Fatimah planned to begin her university studies in the US and set her sights on earning a scholarship to study abroad. To qualify, she needed to pass an exam with a score of 80, but missed it by one point. Undeterred, she tried again two years later, but fell short once more. Even when new clauses were introduced to the scholarship eligibility criteria (including an age limit that prevented her from applying for the scholarship), Fatimah continued to try.
While Fatimah was applying for the scholarship opportunity, she also enrolled for a bachelor’s degree in mathematics at a university in Saudi Arabia.
“I [was] trying to study until I got my scholarship because that was my dream,” she said. “I [also] started my career as a professional photographer.”
In 2015, Fatimah moved to Dubai, where she enrolled in a marketing and media program for several years. But her dream of studying in the US persisted.
“COVID came and stopped everything for us, so I could not actually continue my studies for several years,” she said. “All these years, I was still trying to get the scholarship. I didn’t stop trying.”
Fatimah’s Career in Modeling
During the period when she was making plans to get a scholarship, Fatimah learned to embrace the unexpected – like the time she was hired to model for a L’Oréal commercial.
“I started my modeling career [in] 2022, in Dubai,” she said. She had accompanied a friend on their audition for a commercial, coming along to offer support. Fatimah, however, caught the director’s attention, who gave her the chance to act in a famous show in Saudi Arabia.
Making the most of this new professional opportunity, Fatimah started applying for roles in advertisements for food and beverage companies, cosmetic brands, TV shows, banks, airports, and hospitals. She sent out her resume to several agencies and was cast in nearly 50 commercials by 2023.
She never forgot her study abroad goal, however. When COVID restrictions eased and the age limit for the scholarship was later removed, Fatimah saw another opportunity to apply for funding. This time she was successful: After nearly a decade of relentless effort, resilience, and self-determination, she finally secured her scholarship in 2023.
Intrigued by the highly ranked travel and tourism courses at the University of South Carolina, Fatimah enrolled in the tourism management program at USC’s College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management.
Studying Tourism Management at USC
The University of South Carolina is ranked among the Top 10 in the US and #20 in the world for hospitality and tourism management. The Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management program is designed to prepare students for multiple careers in the global tourism industry, encouraging them to learn about culture, economics, and sustainability.
I’m loving it so much. I love the university, I love the city, it just feels right. This is the right place for me.” – Fatimah from Saudi Arabia, tourism management major, USC
Tourism management curriculum is designed with a hands-on learning approach, covering subjects including international law, communication, event promotion and planning, and more. Students can also get involved with major festivals in and around Columbia, learning about event planning and execution, gaining first-hand insight into coordination and implementation strategies.
“This is the best thing for me, just to attend events and see the tourist destinations and activities around us,” Fatimah added.
Through her tourism management degree program, Fatimah connected with industry leaders through networking, which has also benefited her role as IAP student ambassador for USC. Leveraging her skills as a photographer and knowledge in marketing and media, Fatimah shares her experiences on social media, connecting her with like-minded students from around the world.
Building Global Connections as a Model and Student Ambassador
As a scholarship student, Fatimah arrived in the US looking for an employment opportunity that would cover her daily expenses during her degree program.
“From the first day I arrived, I looked at the jobs around campus,” she said, seeking out photography and social media opportunities. She also was open to modeling, looking to put her diverse skillset to use.
During orientation, Fatimah met Angi, student success manager at USC, and approached her to ask about any opportunities that would best fit her skills. “I sent her my profile on Instagram, she saw what I do, the videos and photos, and that I’m a model, too!”
For Angi, Fatimah was the perfect fit for an IAP ambassador role.
Angi played a pivotal part in helping Fatimah embrace the position of student ambassador, encouraging her to use her skills in photography, videography, and content marketing to connect with other international students through social media.
“I didn’t know that there was this much impact behind the videos I do,” Fatimah explained. “More Saudi students are thinking about coming to the US. They open the USC page, and they see there’s a Saudi student ambassador, [and] they immediately come to me and ask me [questions].”
Fatimah supports Angi in helping international students make smooth transitions to life in the US. From academic guidance and tutoring to housing information and career development, the IAP team offers a variety of resources to ensure international students can make informed decisions about their higher education and career opportunities in the US.
She’s also still modeling: Her unique perspective, talent, and determination quickly caught the attention of prominent brands once she came to pursue her studies in the US. So far, she’s landed international advertising campaigns for Abu Dhabi International Airport, the iconic Burj Khalifa, and Hardee’s.
Determined and passionate about giving her best, Fatimah plans to continue to learn more about how to become a model and what the modeling industry is like in the US, while also building a career in marketing and media. And she’s still not done exploring: Currently, she is also working remotely for a UAE company, designing characters for children’s stories.
In the classroom, Fatimah is equally ambitious: She’s taken on leadership roles at USC as an orientation leader and a peer leader for the UNIV 150 class, where she mentors first-year students and helps them transition to university life. Her latest goal is to graduate with Leadership Distinction, an honor recognizing students who demonstrate excellence in leadership, community engagement, and professional development.
With her many interests and accomplishments – and future USC degree – she’ll have a versatile skillset that will appeal to top brands around the world.
Fatimah’s Advice for International Students
Fatimah tells international students to never give up — she believes that challenges are a part of life and that they add value to the student experience. She encourages international students to never underestimate their potential, emphasizing the importance of having big dreams and believing in your ability to achieve them.
For Fatimah, no goal is unattainable if you have the courage to pursue it — proved by her 10-year journey to achieve a full scholarship. Despite COVID, government regulations, and other personal challenges, her perseverance continued to drive her toward her goal.
Fatimah also believes that failure is not a setback, but a sign of progress, advising international students to keep moving forward with resilience and determination. Seeking out support from advisors and building a wide network of professional and personal connections can guide you toward overcoming obstacles with expertise and a clear plan.
“Don’t limit yourself, let the sky be your limit,” she said. “Do whatever you can do, push yourself more and more and see what you can actually do. Try everything. [There are] amazing experiences, activities, and events. So, why not?”
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