Impact Stories

Ghada El Ayoub (BSN Nursing ’20), a Palestinian woman whose grandparents sought refuge in Lebanon in 1948, was born in Sidon, Lebanon. She finds herself today enjoying a happy life in Derby, UK where she works as a registered nurse at the Royal Derby Hospital. “Growing up, I always knew that I wanted to work in a field where I’m giving back something to humanity,” she says. “Thanks to the financial aid program offered at the American University of Beirut and the support I received from AUB and from a multitude of donors including the Mahmoud Abbas Foundation, the Unite Lebanon Youth Project (ULYP), the Riad and Hassana Sadik Endowed Scholarship, and the Barakat-Sawabini Endowed Scholarship Fund, I was able to do just that.”

Ghada says that her energy and urge to give back is something she learned from her father, “a man of noble virtues,” and mother, who both worked hard to care for Ghada and her four younger siblings, including a brother who is also a nurse and hopes to follow in Ghada’s footsteps. Her second brother’s goal is to pursue his interest in modern technology by studying computer science or computer engineering at AUB. Ghada’s two youngest siblings are still in middle school.

Ghada credits AUB for making it possible for her to be top ranked among the first five nurses to take part in the University Hospitals of Derby and Burton’s refugee program during which she completed her training and obtained her nursing license in England. “The reason I passed all my exams and was the first among the other nurses to obtain their license is AUB’s curriculum that focuses on improving students’ capabilities in a number of disciplines – along with that of the major of choice,” says Ghada. It was her proficiency in speaking and writing English that allowed Ghada to excel in her training. “When I first got to AUB my English wasn’t really that good. However, it was the fact that I passed the English exams with flying colors that enabled me to be the first to obtain the nursing license.”

Prior to joining AUB, Ghada’s future was clouded with uncertainty. Her determination to make the best out of what was available at the time, however, drove her to spend hours looking for an opportunity to receive the quality education she felt she deserved. It was at this point that the generosity of AUB’s donors rewarded Ghada’s efforts and enabled her to fulfill her dream of becoming an AUB student. “I didn’t want to go anywhere but AUB,” she remembers. “I don’t think I even applied for any other university. I will forever be thankful to AUB and the generous donors who provided me with the space I needed to achieve all that I have.”

Ghada today is planning on gaining more exposure and experience by adding a master’s degree to her already rich resume. Her continued determination to improve herself and the lives of her family, friends, community, and others serves as a testament to Ghada’s exceptional character and the life-changing impact our donors have on students’ lives and journeys. It is also a powerful reminder that what may seem impossible to us today, can become our triumph tomorrow.