Born in Wisconsin and raised with a minority religion within the Iranian diaspora, my perspective has always been shaped by the intersection of cultures. This background—coupled with a lifelong dream of life abroad—sparked a deep curiosity about the global experience. After navigating the world as both an exchange student and an international degree seeker, my transition into the professional realm of international higher education was a natural evolution.

Today, I can confidently say that I am driven by the belief that education is the most powerful bridge between people and places.

My path to the doctorate was sparked by the excellence of my colleagues at Purdue University, whose dedication first inspired me to pursue this milestone. What began in 2012 with preparation sessions at the West Lafayette Public Library eventually led to research seminars in Milan in 2015, culminating in my formal admission to the University of Groningen in 2017. Within the Centre for Transformative Higher Education (formerly the Centre for Internationalisation of Education) at Campus Fryslân, this journey has proven to be as unexpected as it has been transformative.

The PhD graduation at Campus Fryslân is a prestigious ceremony rooted in centuries of academic tradition at the University of Groningen. The process begins months in advance when an independent reading committee evaluates the doctoral thesis; once they “pass” the manuscript as defensible, a public ceremony is scheduled. On the big day, the candidate is accompanied by two “paranymphs” (ceremonial assistants) and led into the hall by a mace-bearing Beadle (Pedel), followed by a “Corona” of professors in traditional formal gowns.

For exactly 45 minutes, the candidate engages in a disciplined Q&A session with the committee, defending their research until the Beadle strikes their staff and announces “Hora Est” (It is time), signaling the immediate end of the defense. After a brief private deliberation, the committee returns to officially confer the doctorate, presenting the diploma along with a personal speech known as a laudatio to celebrate the new doctor’s achievement.

If you wish to mark the occasion, a written sentiment for my guestbook would be greatly appreciated. A digital guestbook will be available in June as well a physical guestbook in both Leeuwarden & Malmö.