“Life is like a rollercoaster!” How many times have we lived through this quote? We have all experienced ups and downs in our lives and face obstacles that, at the time, seemed impossible to overcome. My life story is an example of how even the most unthinkable challenges can be defeated with resilience.
I grew up in Iran where I was expected to be an obedient daughter, then a good wife for my husband, and to be a mom, serving my husband and my children.

When I finally decided it was time for me to be ME, find my own voice, live for my own beliefs, and ensure a better life for my children- I was left a single mom, alone in a foreign country.

Almost overnight, I faced numerous unimaginable difficulties. I couldn’t speak English, nor did I have a penny in my pocket, a place to live, or anyone I can rely on. Still, I had two kids to take care of.

What we, especially Iranian women, often forget is that we are stronger than we think, smarter than we believe, and braver than we can imagine.

Having a degree in Mathematics from Melli University in Tehran, gave me the confidence I needed to pursue graduate school and earn a master’s degree in Counseling Education. I accomplished my academic goal in the US, despite the fact a few years earlier, the English language was entirely foreign to me.

Today, I am a counseling faculty at West Valley College in Saratoga and a proud mother of two amazing human beings: one, a recent graduate of Yale Law School, and the other a successful businessman.