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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

Many Voices, Many Visions Features MCC Alum


Shabir Ferdows didn't study science in high school. The Taliban had banned scientific-based education by then. In Afghanistan, teachers were allowed to hit students. “Yes, hit. Beat. My experience was very different there,” he said.

At the tender age of 16, after graduating from high school, Ferdows began working for the U.S. military. Five and a half years later, in 2007, he began his studies at MCC.

He reads “The New York Times” and “The Washington Post” every morning. “I’m a curious person,” he said. According to Ferdows, keeping informed about world events is important to his perspective as a global citizen. He spends his free time on homework and most Saturdays at the library. But he's also traveled to Mississippi, Syracuse and Fort Meade to talk to U.S. soldiers heading to Afghanistan -- to help them understand his culture – to help keep them safe.

A few months ago Shabir graduated from MCC with honors.  In the fall, he will head off to Cornell University to study biological sciences. He is extraordinarily grateful to the military personnel who befriended him (including a general at the Pentagon who still keeps in touch) and the MCC faculty who inspired him. “I am indebted to so many of my professors here. I have come this far because of their help – their care. I will spend my life being grateful,” he said. “I will never forget.”

On Sunday, July 17th, Shabir spoke about his journey with Norma Holland on 13WHAM’s “Many Voices, Many Visions.”

https://www.13wham.com/content/mvmv/story/MVMV-Shabir-Ferdows-ADA-21st-Anniversary-7-17-11/yO4NhOtnyEiwknCak0zPBw.cspx

Janet Ekis
College and Community Relations
08/01/2011