The Journey
To My Success

Joanna Saba: "Success is achieving my personal goals"

I was born and raised in Gaza. Graduating from high school, I started looking for scholarships as it was the only way I would be able to study abroad.

Gaza is blocked from the outside world and acquiring a visa to travel abroad was a very difficult procedure. I reached out to the Orthodox Church, specifically the Exarch of the Holy Sepulchre in Cyprus, Metropolitan Timotheus, who every year offers young people the opportunity to study in Cyprus.

Four years ago, I found myself studying Digital Marketing at Frederick University with a full scholarship from the University

In order to leave Gaza, you have to get permission from the Israeli authorities, travel through the occupied Palestinian territories towards Jordan, and then take the plane to Cyprus. So, four years ago, with the help of Metropolitan Timotheus, who also provided accommodation for me in Nicosia, I found myself studying Digital Marketing at Frederick University with a full scholarship from the University. I am the first graduate of the program and I graduated at the top of my class.

For me, the most difficult part was socializing because, even though most of my classmates could speak English very well, they already had their groups of friends and I was feeling left out

Adapting to Cyprus was not easy. For me, the most difficult part was socializing because, even though most of my classmates could speak English very well, they already had their groups of friends and I was feeling left out. Once the pandemic broke out, things got even worse. But eventually, online communication turned out to be a great way for me to meet more people and make friends. During the fourth year, when we returned to the campus, the people I got close to while in quarantine were now my friends. Maybe our generation has a hard time building relationships because it is used to socializing through screens. These days, communication and human contact are online!

My professors were giving the best of themselves in class, and although I was not sure if that was the subject I wanted to follow, eventually I feel that it was a great choice

My academic advisor Dr. Nasia Tzortzi supported me from the very beginning. I felt like I had a mother here whenever I needed her. She is the person who made me feel safe. My professors were giving the best of themselves in class, and although I was not sure if that was the subject I wanted to follow, eventually I feel that it was a great choice.

I feel Frederick University as my second home

I have worked for six months as part of an internship I got through the University at CyRic, the only certified Business Innovation Center in Cyprus. Once I graduated, due to my academic performance, I got a two-month internship at Action Global Communications, an international communications agency offering public relations, digital marketing, events and production services.

I feel Frederick University as my second home. Even now that I have completed my studies, I sometimes take the bus and go there to sit on a bench or at the cafeteria and meet my friends. It is a bond that does not end when you complete your studies. It is all the people, all the relationships and feelings you had during these four years that you’ll carry with you forever.

I don’t know where my future lays and whether I will manage to make my dreams come true, but I am hopeful

My younger brother is now in Cyprus to study. When I left Gaza he was 15 years old and when I saw him again, three years later, I realized that he was no longer a child but an adult. My other brother has just finished school and he is considering his study and career options. It’s hard not being able to see your family for four years, except in video calls and photos. I know that I do not want to return to Gaza. It is really sad saying that for the place I was born and raised in, but unfortunately, if I ever return it is highly possible that I will not be able to leave again.

One sentence that I strongly rely on lately is: “You only fail, when you stop trying”.

I am now preparing to start my Master’s degree. I chose to do an MBA because it is considered to be a great combination with my undergraduate degree in Digital Marketing. It equips you with a great “package” of skills for the job market. I feel that the difficulties I went through and the life experiences in Cyprus have made me stronger and gave me great life lessons. I don’t know where my future lays and whether I will manage to make my dreams come true, but I am hopeful. One sentence that I strongly rely on lately is: “You only fail, when you stop trying”.

Success to me can be identified in many different ways. It can be everything I have achieved so far or it can be related to individual tasks in my life, like managing to live on my own, managing to pass the University with high grades. So generally, I can identify success as achieving whatever personal goals I have set.