Learning English at Monroe High School helped Syrian immigrant have success at MSU

MONROE — When she was 15, Alisar Alabdullah left war-torn Syria with her family. They settled in Monroe to be near Alabdullah’s aunt.

Alabdullah spoke Arabic fluently and knew just a few English words when she entered Monroe High School as a sophomore in 2016. She credits Monroe Public Schools' teacher Kim Zimmerman with helping her become fluent in English in only six months. Alabdullah graduated from MHS in 2019.

This spring she became a first-generation college graduate and is now planning to earn a doctoral degree in clinical psychology.

Alabdullah recently received a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in human behavior and social services from Michigan State University. A student in MSU’s Honors College, she maintained a 4.0 grade point average and was an undergraduate research assistant. She also studied abroad at the University of Sydney in Australia, completed two internships and co-published journal articles.

MSU named her its 2024 Outstanding Psychology Senior.

“College has always been a part of my plans. From a young age, I've had a passion for learning,” said Alabdullah, the daughter of Monroe’s Mosallam Alabdulla and Lama Nasri.

“My parents encouraged my decision to pursue higher education,” she said.

Alabdullah's parents don't speak English. Through self-study and help from Zimmerman, her English as a Second Language teacher, Alabdullah said she quickly became fluent in English.

“My fluency remained minimal until I began ESL classes at Monroe High School, under the guidance of Miss Kim Zimmerman. Her support was instrumental in helping me navigate the language's complexities and build my confidence,” Alabdulla said.

“She learned the English language quite quickly," Zimmerman said. "She would really think deeply about the subject matter and question, why is this word used this way? A lot of kids are not thinking about how things connect. She soaked it up like a sponge. She was very determined. Alisar is a one-of-a-kind student. I’ve always admired her tenacity."

Zimmerman is not surprised Alabdulla graduated from college and is planning more studies.

“There was never a time that she wasn’t thinking about what her life would be like once she graduated from high school. She always set goals for herself. I am so proud of her," said Zimmerman, who continues to teach ESL classes for MPS.

Soon Alabdulla will begin graduate school at Columbia University in New York City.

"My ultimate goal is to become a clinical psychologist," she said.

She hopes to study the mental health and well-being of refugees and immigrants. She wants to learn how they have been affected by forced displacement, war and conflict situations, said MSU.

"I love doing research, learning literature and brainstorming research ideas, but I’m also interested in how we apply this knowledge to a clinical aspect. I love the interplay between research and clinical sessions,” Alabdullah said.

Alabdullah knows first-hand the culture shock that can come with immigrating. As a teen, she found life in the U.S. to be vastly different from life in the Middle East.

"It feels like different worlds," she said.

Monroe, she said, has much colder and harsher winters. She also quickly learned things are bigger in the U.S. and that Americans more greatly value individuality.

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"One of the cultural shocks I had when I first moved to Monroe is the sheer scale of everything here. From the size of cars and homes to the expansive stores and serving sizes, everything seemed larger compared to the more modest proportions back in Syria," she said.

"Another significant difference lies in the cultural dynamics," she said. "In Syria, we embrace a collectivist culture, where communal bonds and interdependence are highly valued. In contrast, the U.S. fosters an individualistic culture, where personal autonomy and self-reliance are emphasized."

— Contact reporter Suzanne Nolan Wisler at swisler@monroenews.com.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Learning English at Monroe High School helped immigrant have success