Earning a doctoral degree is challenging. From difficult courses to rigorous research requirements, it takes work. Add in adjusting to a foreign country and raising three children, and it seems impossible from the outside.
However, doctoral candidate Najlaa Ali Alshehri has made earning her Ph.D. in Community Health Promotion look easy, and her journey has inspired those around her.
"I have had the amazing opportunity to work with Najlaa in multiple capacities throughout her time at UAB, and she continues to inspire me with her work ethic, juggling raising three young children in a foreign country and the work she plans to do after completing her degree," states Assistant Professor of Higher Education Administration, Mary Ann Bodine Al-Sharif, Ph.D. "We are getting ready to submit our first journal article for publication with two other researchers from the University of Georgia and Ohio University. Our recently completed study is titledA Comparison of Perceptions of Public Health Education by Saudis Who Have Studied in the Health Professions at Home and Abroad: A Critical Discourse Analysis. Najlaa has served as the lead on this publication.We are looking forward to our next steps in research!"
Alshehri is from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and initially moved to Birmingham, Alabama, when her husband started his Ph.D. program at UAB. She chose UAB because of the university's reputation, and doing so allowed her to study in the same city as her spouse. In addition to the convenience UAB provided her family, the School of Education's Community Health Promotion program allowed her to learn and create programs she aspires to use when she returns home.
"I've always wanted to promote health education awareness, stated Alshehri. "At UAB, I found opportunities to train and help design health education programs needed in my country. As an international student, I've faced challenges, and I believe improving the design of education programs and increasing awareness of students' health needs, especially mental and psychological, is crucial."
Being in a foreign country is tough, and being a student in a foreign country can be even more challenging and isolating. However, the UAB community strives to ensure international students have what they need to succeed.
"UAB offers diverse programs, especially higher education. The support from professors and mentors towards international students is commendable and vital for our success and well-being."
Upon completing her doctorate in Community Health Promotion, Alshehri plans to return to her home country, Saudi Arabia. She plans to take the community health education and promotion programs she's experienced and the research she's been conducting at UAB to help improve and contribute to Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health.
"Education is crucial to Saudi Arabia's 2030 vision," states Alshehri. "My goal is to help design and plan health education programs, particularly clinical aspects and educational programs, mostly at universities. These programs will focus on supporting students' health to create optimal educational environments."
Although Alshehri's hometown, Riyadh, has few similarities with Birmingham, in her opinion, one notable similarity is the emphasis both cities put on family and creating a family-friendly community.
Alshehri will complete her doctoral degree in Spring 2025. Click here to learn more about the Community Health Promotion Ph.D. program at UAB. To learn about resources available to international students at UAB, click here.