Student Testimonials

Michelle-Irina Made Enoh '18 | Buea | MS: Digital Marketing

I am an International Graduate student in the MS in Digital Marketing Program at Sacred Heart University. I had a sort of revelation from God when I am school hunting back then in Cameroon and after several months of sleepless nights on Google Search Engines, there it was Sacred Heart University.

SHU is exactly the school I was looking for not only because it is a Catholic University and I am a Catholic myself but because it is conveniently located very close to the big States of my dream that is New York, Boston, New Jersey. I call that a blessing to be an hour away from those state of the art places oh yes.

We not only we get to go on trips to New York and Boston with other graduate students, we also get to party at SHU Reds, go to great events to help us international students network and make friends with other people from different cultural background which is a bonus.

I could talk about SHU all night long because this University is welcoming and makes us feel we belong here. It has a great team of staffs there to respond to all we need and coupled with great speakers who come to give us ways in which to get jobs in the USA.

Sacred Heart University is for everyone no matter where you come from. It has a diverse student body and we get to celebrate a lot of cultural feast like the Diwali for Indians, Friendsgiving, thanksgiving, Eid Al-Fitr with our Muslim brothers and sisters.

At SHU, the lecturers motivate us, boost our innermost creativity, understands our difficulties and help us emerge winners in our struggles. Sacred Heart University is the best decision I have ever made. If you are looking for la-crème-de-la crème Education as it is said in French, welcome to SHU. I made a lot of friends from different countries and I have a taste of their cultures. SHU is family, SHU is home, WE ARE SHU.

Ayman Abdelmawla '20 | Cairo | MS: Digital Marketing

My name is Ayman Abdelmawla and I am originally from Egypt. I earned my bachelor’s degree from the German University in Cairo in General Management with double core majors in Information Systems and Strategic Management. After working for several years, I went back to school and earned my MBA from MIP Politecnico di Milano in Italy, one of the top European business schools and universities. Currently, I am a student in the Master of Science in Digital Marketing program at Sacred Heart University (SHU). 

My goal after I achieved a top-tier MBA was to become specialized in one of the many interesting managerial sciences I have studied or worked in in the past. I chose to dive deeper into social media, analytics, machine learning, Artificial Intelligence (AI), neural networks and any other digital aspect that matters to any modern organization. I wanted to understand better digital transformation and become equipped with all of the tools that will help me make a difference in the future.

During my research for programs that met my needs, I shortlisted a few schools to apply to. Sacred Heart University (SHU) was the only school in the United States that offered in-class program in analytics but with a specific focus on the marketing and managerial perspective. The number and quality of certificates offered in the program were so appealing to me – Sacred Heart offers certificates from SAS, HootSuite, Google and Tableau. Some of the certificates are mandatory to complete the course while some others are based on the student’s choice to go for more or not.

So, I took a life changing decision and chose SHU and I have found that the academic life in SHU is so promising. The academic life here is so open, generous and offering a lot of opportunities for those who want to succeed. A person can find help from professors at any time and my classmates too are so helpful. They are from different parts of the world, open for new ideas, objective and never saving an effort for achieving their professional goals.

SHU is located a short distance from New York City and it is still close to Boston and New Jersey which make it so close to big organizations and top tier employers.

I am very happy with my choice in coming to Sacred Heart University for my Master’s in Digital Marketing. I have found the quality of education, people and location makes SHU the winning choice that I will always be proud of.

اسمي أيمن عبد المولى وأنا من مصر. لقد حصلت على درجة البكالوريوس من الجامعة الألمانية بالقاهرة في الإدارة العامة مع تخصص رئيسي مزدوج في نظم المعلومات والإدارة الاستراتيجية. بعد العمل لعدة سنوات، عدت إلى الدراسة وحصلت على شهادة الماجستير في إدارة الأعمال من إم أي بي بوليتكنيك دي ميلانو في إيطاليا، واحدة من أفضل كليات وجامعات الأعمال الأوروبية. حاليا، أنا طالب في برنامج ماجستير العلوم في التسويق الرقمي في جامعة ساكرد هارت.

‎بعد حصولي على درجة الماجستير في إدارة الأعمال، كان هدفي هو أن أصبح متخصصًا في واحدة من العديد من العلوم الإدارية المثيرة للاهتمام التي درستها أو عملت في الماضي. اخترت أن أتخصص في التسويق الرقمي، السوشيال ميديا، الأنليتكس، التعلم الآلي، الذكاء الاصطناعي والشبكات وأي جانب رقمي آخر يهم أي منظمة حديثة. أردت أن أفهم التحول الرقمي بشكل أفضل وأن أكون مجهزًا بكل الأدوات التي ستساعدني في إحداث تغيير في المستقبل.

‎خلال بحثي عن البرامج التي تفي باحتياجاتي، قمت باختيار عدد قليل من المدارس للتقدم إليها. كانت جامعة ساكرد هارت هي الجامعة الوحيدة في الولايات المتحدة التي قدمت برنامجًا حي في الأناليتكس ولكن مع التركيز بشكل خاص على المنظور التسويقي والإداري. عدد كبير من الشهادات المقدمة في البرنامج كانت جذابة للغاية بالنسبة لي - تقدم شهادات من ساس، جوجل، هوتسويت و تابلو. بعض الشهادات إلزامية لإكمال الدورة بينما تعتمد بعض الشهادات الأخرى على اختيار الطالب للإكمال أو لا.

‎لذلك، اتخذت قرار مصيري واخترت ساكرد هارت.  ولقد وجدت أن الحياة الأكاديمية فيها واعدة للغاية. الحياة الأكاديمية هنا منفتحه للغاية، سخية وتوفر الكثير من الفرص لأولئك الذين يرغبون في النجاح. يمكن لأي شخص العثور على مساعدة من الأساتذة في أي وقت، كما أن زملائي في الدراسة مفيدون للغاية. إنهم من مختلف أنحاء العالم، ومنفتحون، لديهم أفكار جديدة وموضوعية ولا يوفرون أبدًا أي جهد لتحقيق أهدافهم المهنية.

‎تقع ساكرد هارت على بعد مسافة قصيرة من مدينة نيويورك، ولا تزال قريبة من بوسطن ونيوجيرسي مما يجعلها قريبة جدًا من المنظمات الكبيرة وأرباب العمل من الفئة العليا.

‎أنا سعيد جدًا باختياري في القدوم إلى ساكرد هارت للحصول على درجة الماجستير في التسويق الرقمي. لقد وجدت أن جودة التعليم والأفراد والمكان يجعلها الاختيار الأمثل الذي سأكون فخورا به دائمًا.

Ayemen Almeen '18 | Karimnagar | MS: Healthcare Informatics

Being from a conservative family never stopped me from dreaming big. I always wanted to excel in my career. I received my Doctor in Pharmacy in India. During my degree, I completed two research projects and wrote several review articles, which were published in an international journal. After graduation in India, I sought to pursue my Masters in Healthcare Informatics in the United States, which I thought would bring direction to my study and would give a great opportunity to be a part of growing technology field in the health care industry.

I applied and was admitted to Sacred Heart University’s (SHU) masters program. At SHU there are excellent professors who are trained in the field and are exceptional teachers. It has helped me get an idea of how the health care system works in United States. During my second semester, I applied for and was accepted for an internship at St. Vincent’s Health Partners (SVHP) and I grabbed this opportunity. I started my internship in 3rd semester and I now work as an intern in IT department. I am studying the workflow process of SVHP and I hope to bring some effective changes, which will help the company to work more efficiently. I am also looking into automating few processes here. I feel grateful to SHU to help me with this opportunity, which I know will definitely help me reaching even higher heights in my career!

Tejpreet Kaur Laila '18 | Mumbai | MS: Digital Marketing

When I decided to go back to school, I had clarity in what I really want to do because I had been working for several years in the marketing field in my home country of India.

I started looking for a degree that would be a pathway to the dynamic world of marketing here in the United States. Of course I started my search and found Sacred Heart University’s Master of Science in Digital Marketing. I compared this program to similar courses offered by other universities, but I liked SHU’s better because of the options that they offer. For example, if you want to learn about data analytics they have option for that. If you want to learn about SAS or Tableau, SHU has that. Along with learning about the concepts in digital marketing, I have found SHU also prepares you to understand the popular tools that are being used in the industry, which is very unique about this course and university.

The other positive aspect about this course is that it is STEM certified so it gives us international students opportunity to gain a deeper work experience after we graduate. This also gives this course an edge over other universities.

As an international student it is important to utilize your time and resources to a degree, which gives you an opportunity to learn and apply what you have learned so that you have better knowledge and experience.

Being part of the Sacred Heart family has so far been an enriching experience and I am very happy with my choice!

Kotomi Mizutani | Tokyo | BA: Art & Design '17; MBA '18

Hello, my name is Kotomi Mizutani. I graduated from Keio University, Tokyo, Japan where I got BA of economics and then moved to the US to pursue my dream to work as a designer. I am majoring in Art & Design concentrating both graphic design and illustration. Since Sacred Heart University is close to NY, I can easily go to museums or events inspiring me in NY on weekends and I can focus on my study on weekdays which I think is the best environment for me. Also, the classes are not either too big or small, so that I can always go ask questions to my professors and classmates give me some great feedback on my designs which help me a lot. Besides classes, I am working at the International Admissions as a work study, where I support new international students and prospect students. The experience there help me blush up my English skill and it is a great opportunity to communicate with a lot of people. SHU helps your career as well, so I will do my best to pursue my dream to work as a designer.

水谷琴美です。私は2014年に慶応義塾大学経済学部を卒業しました。その後デザイナーとして働きたいという夢を実現させる為にアメリカに渡り、現在Sacred Heart UniversityのArt&Design学部でGraphic DesignとIllustrationを専攻しています。SHUはNYからも近い事からNYの美術館やイベントなどに参加する事もでき、また平日は学業に専念して取り組む事ができるので、私にとって最適の学校だと思っています。ひとクラスの大きさも生徒の数は多すぎず少なすぎず、何か困った事があればすぐに教授に質問する事が出来、更に色んな生徒の視点からフィードバックをもらえるので授業はとても充実しています。また、私は現在International Admissionsでwork studyとして授業の合間に働いており、新しい留学生やこれから入学を考えている生徒のサポートを行っています。ここでの経験は英語スキルの上達だけでなく様々な人とコミュニケーションをとる良い機会になり、とても良かったなと思っています。卒業後の進路も教授やキャリアセンターなどを通じてサポートを行ってくれるので、夢のデザイナーデビューを迎えられるように頑張りたいと思います。

Abdel Abunar '18 | Jordan | BS: Business Administration

My name is Abdelrahman Abunar and I was born in the United States but was raised in Amman, Jordan. I have lived in both Jordan and Jerusalem and I am currently an international student here at Sacred Heart University. Growing up in the Middle East was not easy, but I loved it because it is my home and the place of all my memories. As I got older I started to consider the options of studying in another country to get a higher education. At first, my parents disagreed and didn’t want me to study outside of the country, but eventually they agreed to let me come to the United States with the help of the great people who work in the International Admissions here at Sacred Heart University. After coming to Sacred Heart, I have made many new friends here from all over the world and have loved the welcoming community at Sacred Heart. I have met people from the same country as me as well as people from Africa, Asia, Europe and South America. I am very happy with my choice to come to Sacred Heart University and have made many memories here and hopefully more to come! 

اسمي عبد الرحمن أبو نار، ولدت في الولايات المتحدة، و نشأت في عمّان الأردن. وقضيت فترة من حياتي في القدس. أنا حالياً طالب في جامعة ساكرد هارت. بالرغم من صعوبة الحياة في الشرق الأوسط، إلا أنها لم تأثر على حبي لموطني وذكرياتي فيه. ومع مرور الوقت، بدأت بالنظر في خيارات الدراسة في بلد آخر للحصول على التعليم العالي. واجهت صعوبة في البداية، حيث لم يكن والدّي يرغبان ان ادرس في الخارج، ولكن في نهاية المطاف سمحا لي أن ادرس في الولايات المتحدة وذلك بفضل العاملين في "مكتب القبول والتسجيل للطلاب الدوليين" في جامعة ساكرد هارت. عند وصولي إلى الجامعة، أحببت الاستقبال الذي قاموا به، كما قابلت طلاباً من جميع أنحاء العالم. أنا سعيد جدا لإختياري جامعة ساكرد هارت، قضيت اوقاتاً ممتعة وكونت صداقات من معظم أنحاء العالم. لدي ذكريات جميلة هنا وكلي أمل بأن اقضي المزيد من الأوقات الممتعة مستقبلا.

Hector Gutierrez '18 | Veracruz | BA: English & Global Studies

I'm Hector Gutierrez and I'm an international student here at Sacred Heart. I'm also a member of the DI golf team, the Honors Program and part of the club "La Hispanidad". My quest to continue my college career in the United States was an important decision that I wanted to be sure was the right one. Among all my options, SHU stood out as a the best place for me to continue my academic and athletic careers for several reasons. As a student, I have found a very enriching environment in the school that helps me learn more inside and outside of the classroom. The professors are great, the classes are very interesting and everyone is very passionate about learning. In such a short time, I have learned about the importance the school gives to the uniqueness each student brings to this place. There is something for everyone; whether it's a club, a sport or a student organization. The school always brings comedy shows, plays films, hosts interesting speakers and organizes outings so there is always something going on at SHU. A big part of a student-athlete's success in college comes from maintaining a balance between athletics and academics. Playing sports in college can be very challenging but it has become one of the most rewarding experiences of my life so far because of all the support you get from everyone. It is hard to leave home to go to a complete different country and get adjusted to a new culture. Everyone I have met has been extremely supportive in helping me get adapted to this new environment and I have really enjoyed getting to know more about the people, place and culture. Teachers and students are very welcoming of the international students and enthusiastically help you feel at home. Whether it is in the classroom, golf course or in the dorms there is a sense of home that I have found here in Sacred Heart and I am very excited for what the rest of my time here will bring.

Mi nombre es Héctor Gutiérrez y soy un estudiante internacional en Sacred Heart. Soy miembro del equipo de División I de golf, del programa de honores y parte del club "La Hispanidad". Mi búsqueda de continuar mi carrera colegial en Estados Unidos era una decisión importante y quería esta seguro de hacer la correcta. Entre todas mis opciones, SHU sobresalió como el mejor lugar para continuar con mi carrera, tanto académica como atlética, por varias razones. Como estudiante, he encontrado un ambiente muy enriquecedor en la escuela que me ayuda a aprender mas dentro y fuera del salón de clases. Los profesores son maravillosos, las clases muy interesantes y todo el mundo es muy apasionado por aprender. En un corto tiempo, he aprendido la importancia que la escuela le otorga al carácter único que cada estudiante trae a este lugar. Hay algo para cada persona; puede ser un club, un deporte o una organización de estudiantes. En la escuela siempre hay shows de comedia, películas, oradores que dan platicas muy interesantes y viajes, por lo tanto, siempre hay algo divertido que hacer. Una gran parte del éxito de un estudiante-atleta viene del equilibrio entre la escuela y el deporte. Los deportes a nivel universidad pueden ser desafiantes pero se ha convertido en una de las experiencias mas valiosas de mi vida hasta ahora gracias a todo el apoyo que recibes de todos. Es difícil dejar tu casa para ir a un país completamente diferente y adaptarte a una nueva cultura. Todas las personas que he conocido me han ayudado mucho a sentirme parte de este nuevo ambiente y he disfrutado mucho conocer más de la gente, el lugar y la cultura. Los maestros y los estudiantes son muy cálidos con los estudiantes internacionales y con mucho entusiasmo te ayudan a sentirte en casa. Ya sea en el salón, el campo de golf o en los dormitorios, hay una sensación de hogar que he encontrado aquí en Sacred Heart y estoy emocionado por lo que el resto de mi tiempo aquí traerá.