Ali from Saudi Arabia has been passionate about pursuing a career in nursing since middle school. He completed one year of his undergraduate education in Australia, then transferred through the International Accelerator Program (IAP) to the University of South Carolina (USC) to explore opportunities in the US. Read on to learn more about Ali’s journey, from gaining hands-on learning experiences during his nursing courses to being hired as a student services program assistant with the IAP.
Ranked #121 in National Universities by U.S. News & World Report, the University of South Carolina is recognized for its commitment to well-rounded student experiences and dedication to innovative learning techniques. U.S. News also ranks the USC’s College of Nursing in the top 6% in the nation and first in the state for nursing programs.
In 1957, the College of Nursing became the state’s first nationally accredited nursing program. Today, the college utilizes cutting-edge teaching tools and expert faculty instruction to ensure students are equipped with the latest in nursing care.
“I’m so grateful I got accepted here,” Ali said. “My experience has been really amazing.”
Courses in Nursing at the University of South Carolina
Ali began his nursing courses at the University of South Carolina in Summer 2022. The four-year degree program is designed to provide a holistic approach to nursing education, ensuring students without any nursing background can enroll and successfully complete their degree.
“The total nursing program is two years lower division [pre-nursing] and two years upper division,” Ali said. Lower division students take core general education classes including English, history, math, and basic sciences. The curriculum also includes courses in nursing that focus on health and wellness, the history of nursing, pathophysiology, and more. Once students complete the prescribed number of lower division courses, they can then apply to the upper division level.
“We have to apply during [our] sophomore fall semester for the upper division,” Ali said. “There are several ‘progression courses’ that would be included in your application and that will be 80% of the application.”
Students are accepted into the upper division level based on how they perform in the progressive course.
“During my cohort, the average GPA at which [candidates] got accepted was 3.6,” Ali said.
Ali’s Advice for Academic Success
The first two years of the nursing program are crucial to ensure students stay on track and gain valuable knowledge and skills that prepare them to progress into the upper division level. Ali encourages students to make the most of the learning resources available on campus, seek guidance from faculty, and speak to advisors if they need additional academic support.
“I would do group studies — a lot of students with me, we would study together,” Ali said. “There were some SI [supplemental instruction] sessions that would really help me. There is a new program that nursing school provides called ‘PASS’, it’s only for nursing college [students] and they offer their own tutoring and SI sessions for nursing students, either for lower or upper division.”
Students can also enroll for one-on-one SI sessions, where tutors take them through complex subject areas at a slower pace, as well as provide additional learning resources to focus on key topics in medical theory.
Through his hard work and determination, Ali was one of 300 students accepted to the upper division level of the nursing program at USC!
I would say it is competitive, and it is not easy to get in, but with the nursing college here, it is really worth it, and you will end up grateful.” — Ali from Saudi Arabia, nursing major, University of South Carolina
Hands-on Learning Experiences at USC
Clinical experience is integrated into the upper division courses in nursing curriculum at USC. Students are assigned four semesters of clinical practice across various medical specializations to ensure they graduate with comprehensive nursing skills. The hands-on opportunities really appealed to Ali and were a major part of why he transferred to the University of South Carolina.
“I have had hands-on experiences in many medical clinics,” said Ali, “[including] clinical experience in elementary schools” as well as different hospitals and departments including pediatrics, obstetrics, med-surg, and psychology. Through the well-rounded courses in nursing at USC and support from his advisors in the IAP program, Ali gained first-hand insights on what it is like to be a nurse. In the years ahead, he’ll continue his studies with confidence.
Getting Hired as a Student Services Program Assistant with IAP
For Ali, the International Accelerator Program played a crucial role in smoothly transitioning to life in the US.
“This has been a home for me since I came in,” he said. “I came here as a new [student] with quite a lot of stress because of getting into a new school, new home, and new country. [With] IAP, it was like our home as international students.”
Angi, the USC student success manager, and Laryssa, IAP’s managing director, provided valuable recommendations for resources and services, enabling him to smoothly settle into life on the USC campus.
“Angi has been the most helpful person,” he said.
The support and family-like environment that Angi and Laryssa created encouraged Ali to become part of the IAP team as a student services program assistant. He became passionate about guiding international students in their journeys in the US, helping them navigate academic challenges similar to those he had experienced as a new arrival.
“I want to give the same help that I got,” he said.
When international students arrive on campus, Ali is their point of contact. He welcomes them and takes them around campus, going over class schedules, learning facilities, activity centers, and more. Through workshops and one-on-one engagement sessions, Ali builds a close relationship with new international student arrivals, making them feel comfortable and ensuring they have everything they need to settle into campus life.
Ali believes his drive for helping people aligns well with his current work in the IAP, as well as his future career path of becoming a nurse. “Being there next to them, giving them the help they need, the support they need, being the person who can listen to them, it does make me enjoy the job,” he said.
Ali’s Advice for International Students
Ali believes that seeking support and staying positive through challenging situations can help international students succeed in their study abroad experience in the US. He encourages students to speak to student advisors if they face any difficulties and need additional resources to navigate through their studies.
“You can overcome challenges. Challenges are the fun of life. All the support you need, you will find people who will support you. Just go out there and ask for help!” he said.
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