Fady Al-Banna is the director of international affairs for Wright State’s Student Government.
He is also an Iraqi refugee.
In 2007, Al-Banna’s family fled from Iraq to Lebanon as political tensions rose in his country. In 2010, his family was granted political asylum and relocated to Dayton, OH. Needless to say, the road was long and difficult.
“A radical group attempted to kidnap my father, and many minority religious groups started to face persecution for their beliefs,” Al-Banna said.
It was then his family seized the opportunity to leave the country.
“I was sixteen years old when I left Iraq,” Al-Banna said. “I remember one thing as I was leaving, I never was going to see my country again.”
Al-Banna was left to finish high school in Lebanon where the materials and subjects were taught strictly in English.
“It was challenging for me to transfer all the math formulas from Arabic to English,” Al-Banna said. “They taught us English in my country. They taught us grammar, and they start to teach us the alphabet when we are in grade three or four. But they didn’t teach us how to speak English!”
On his arrival to the United States, Al-Banna admitted that Ohio was not his first choice. Because his family arrived on a political asylum visa, the United States embassy directed the family to a specific state.
In this case it was Ohio, though Al-Banna said he would have preferred Arizona or Michigan to be with extended family.
“I love Dayton. It’s a small city,” Al-Banna said. “It’s very diverse, and that is what I like about it.”
Al-Banna didn't always go to WSU. He spent his first two years earning his associates degree in business at Sinclair Community College in an attempt to save money. After serving as the president of the International Club at Sinclair, Al-Banna said he wanted to get involved with the international community at WSU, and that's just what he did.
“I wanted to make a different in the students' lives. I wanted to take their concerns and solve them,” Al-Banna said. “I’m so thankful I saw this job with student government.”
Al-Banna is the now the director of international affairs with the Student Government and can be seen all over campus supporting various groups, teams and organizations.
“It is a blessing to interact with international students everyday. You listen for their struggles and their stories. Their stories are so inspiring to me,” Al-Banna said.
Al-Banna is passionate about finding ways for international students to find their niche on campus. Whether it's joining a club, sports team, or study group, all international students have a chance to meet and make American friends. Al-Banna is proof of that.
“What’s your passion? What’s your major? If you’re a finance major, go get involved in the finance club,” Al-Banna urged. “Get involved with a religious club if you are interested in learning about different religions other than yours, or go to the culture hour at I.C.E.”
Al-Banna said he wants to see international students establish meaningful relationships while in the States.
“We don’t want them (international students) to go back home and say, ‘I have been living there for five years, and I didn’t make any friendships with anyone,’” Al-Banna said. “It is important we give them a good image of American society.”
