Abdelrahman Osman

Abdelrahman Osman is a graduate of the M.S.Ed. in counseling program

Hometown: Sudan

Class Of: 2023

First generation student at NIU completed counseling master's degree, with specialization in school counseling

Why did you choose to attend NIU?
I chose NIU as the institution where I would pursue my M.S.Ed. in counseling because of the reputation NIU has, particularly in counseling and higher education. Additionally, as a Fulbright scholar, I have received several positive recommendations about NIU's counseling programs and faculty.

What did you want to be when you were growing up? Are you currently doing it? If not, what changed your path?
I remember listening to several online lectures about psychology and positive thinking when I was a child, and I knew that I wanted to be that helping voice who walks with individuals through the storms of life and helps alleviate suffering as much as feasible!

How did NIU prepare you for your current profession?
Through discussions, classes, readings and an internship, I believe NIU made me as ready as possible to face our profession's unique challenges. The program focused on different techniques, strategies, ethical considerations and more.

Describe what a typical day at your job looks like.
During the internship, my supervisor would talk about how we make plans and see if the day will throw those plans out of the window! A typical day as a school counselor is almost a myth, but we usually attend to students’ needs, schedule groups, manage big caseloads and all sort of unexpected tasks.

In a few sentences, please share the impact NIU has had on your life. How would your life be different if you hadn’t attended NIU?
My experience here at NIU was transformational in several ways. It was my first time traveling to a new country that has its own language and a vastly different culture. I needed to learn how to navigate campus as an individual with a disability, and I had to adopt new ways of approaching people in the U.S., which is a bit different from the norm in my country.

Who at NIU had a significant impact on you? What valuable lesson did you learn from them?
My professors had a huge impact on my journey at NIU, not only as teachers but also as people who are as diverse as the NIU community and as professionals who are constantly improving and learning. I would say that the most significant lesson I learned was the value of showing up every time and the power of the group.

Did you form any long-lasting friendships or personal/professional relationships as a result of attending NIU? Tell us about them.
I have created wonderful relationships with other students in my cohort that I think we will maintain as professionals who can support each other and consult about various ethical dilemmas. I have also had great relationships with the faculty members of our department, and I will try to keep in touch with them every now and then.

What advice would you give to a student who is considering attending NIU?
NIU is not a perfect university, none are, but here you will find several aspects of a perfect college life, as well as so many growth opportunities. Consider what you value the most and then make a decision based on where you will find what you want.

What advice would you give to a student who is currently attending NIU?
There will be hard at times here at school, so keep your well-being strategies updated and actively practice them. Reach out to friends to do things together, keep a long reading or movie list, or any other self-care activity you prefer.

What made you decide to complete this survey and share your NIU story with other Huskies?
I am not that good at explaining myself in writing, but I feel like everyone's story will look different and I wanted to share my own unique one. I did not have the chance to meet very many international students or students with disabilities, which was frustrating. Because of that, I thought to share my story and offer other folks out there a glimpse of hope!