Hanaa Wahba, Ph.D, ESL Professor and Director of ESL Curriculum. Currently, she serve as the Associate Academic Director at INTO Hofstra University and the Director of the English as a Second Language Program at Hofstra University. She specialize in developing innovative teaching methods for English Language Learners.

She earned her Doctoral Degree (Ed.D.) in Interdisciplinary Educational Studies with a concentration in Teaching and Learning from the Post Campus of Long Island University. She also holds a Master of Science degree in Childhood Education from Long Island University, NY, and a Post Master’s Advanced Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) from Hofstra University. Additionally, she has New York State teaching certifications in both TESOL and Childhood Education.

She moved to the United States in her early 20s and has been living here for over 25 years. One of the biggest differences is the pace of life and the cultural diversity in the USA. The educational system also differs significantly, with more emphasis on individual learning styles and interactive teaching methods here. However, the strong sense of community and family values remain similar.

Her journey from Egypt to the USA was driven by a passion for education and a desire to broaden her horizons. Moving to the USA allowed her to advance her studies and pursue her career in a dynamic environment. The transition involved challenges such as adapting to a new culture, overcoming language barriers, and building a professional network. However, these challenges also offered valuable learning experiences that have significantly contributed to her career and personal growth.

In the USA, she maintains and celebrates various aspects of Egyptian culture, such as traditional festivals, cuisine, and family values. She also stays connected with the Egyptian community and participate in cultural events and activities that celebrate the heritage.

Hanaa has two children. Adam, 23, earned his bachelor’s degree in Health Science with a minor in Biology and Community Health from Hofstra University and is set to complete his master’s in Public Health at the University of North Carolina by the end of Summer 2024. Nadeen, 19, is studying Fine Arts with a concentration in Design at Hofstra University. Both understand Arabic well and can communicate effectively in it, having taken Arabic classes from a young age. Nadeen has also chosen to take Arabic courses as electives to further enhance her language skills.

To make her children proud of their Egyptian heritage, Hanaa actively participates in Multicultural Day at her children’s schools, representing Egypt. She created and distributed a booklet on Egyptian culture to Nadeen’s classmates and teacher. Hanaa has also been invited to speak about Egypt in classrooms. At Multicultural Events, she and her daughter dress in Cleopatra outfits and discuss the contrasts between Old and Modern Egypt. She has designed posters on Egyptian papyrus highlighting these contrasts. In 2018, Hanaa was honored to represent Egypt with her artwork at the United Nations on International Women’s Day, focusing on empowering women in rural countries.

It is important for Hanaa to maintain Egyptian identity and heritage. She achieves this by celebrating Egyptian festivals, cooking traditional food, speaking Arabic at home, and educating others about the rich culture and history of Egypt. She also watches Egyptian television to stay updated with the latest news, entertainment, and cultural programs from her home country. Additionally, she loves cooking Egyptian food as a way to keep culinary traditions alive and share them with family and friends. She also celebrates Egyptian holidays such as Ramadan, Eid, and Sham El-Nessim, which are special occasions for gathering with loved ones and hold deep cultural significance.

She visits Egypt whenever possible to reconnect with family and friends and to stay in touch with her roots. My family members from Egypt also visit her in the USA, which helps maintain their strong family bonds.

Seeing the Egyptian flag or hearing the anthem and traditional music fills her with a deep sense of pride and nostalgia. It reminds her of her heritage and the rich cultural history of Egypt.

A proud moment in her life in the USA was when she successfully implemented her acrostic method in the curriculum at Hofstra University, “Dr. Hanaa Wahba’s Acrostic Method of Teaching for ELLs. Seeing her students thrive using this innovative approach made her feel empowered and reaffirmed her passion for education and dedication to helping others.

She also has several memorable experiences, such as organizing cultural events at the end of each semester at Hofstra University. These events allowed students from diverse backgrounds to showcase their creative projects and reflect on their cultures and traditions. One successful event had the theme “Cultural Diversity Matters.” She collaborated with her students on a creative project, drawing and painting a “Salad Bowl” to symbolize the importance of maintaining one’s identity. The project illustrated how different cultures come together like salad ingredients, each retaining its distinct qualities. “I proudly talked about Egyptian culture and traditions, and each student had the opportunity to share details about their own cultures,” she said.

Another memorable and special experience for her was during her teaching practicum. She designed and taught a lesson about Egyptian culture to elementary school students. They were very excited to learn about Egypt, the birthplace of civilization.

Among all these achievements, she is most proud of earning her doctoral degree, her ongoing work in helping students achieve their language learning goals, and launching her YouTube channel to reach a wider audience has been a significant accomplishment.

Hanaa has faced some cultural and societal challenges, and stereotypes about Egyptian women in the USA. “I address them by being a role model and demonstrating through my actions and achievements that these stereotypes are unfounded. I also engage in open dialogues to educate and inform others about the true diversity and capabilities of Egyptian women,” she said.

She agrees that it is crucial for new immigrants to integrate into society to build a sense of belonging and to succeed in their new environment. “They can accomplish this by learning the language, understanding the cultural nuances, participating in community activities, and building a supportive network,” she said.

Her advice to Egyptian women who are considering to move to the USA is to stay true to their roots while embracing new opportunities. “Be proactive in learning and adapting, seek support when needed, and believe in your capabilities. The balance between maintaining your heritage and integrating into a new culture can lead to a fulfilling and successful life,” she says.

Finally, Hanaa would like to emphasize the importance of resilience and perseverance. “My journey has shown that with dedication and passion, you can overcome challenges and achieve your goals. As an Egyptian woman in the USA, I am proud to contribute to the educational field and to be a part of a global community that values diversity and inclusion,” she concludes.