Three Arizona State University Global Launch alumni share their experiences

Hear from three ASU Global Launch alumni about their experiences adjusting to Arizona State University through immersive campus English classes, supportive student advisors, and extracurricular activities.  

Two years after arriving at Global Launch, Afghan women flourishing at ASU

Two years ago, a group of Afghan women sought refuge at Arizona State University. Despite challenges, they excelled academically with the support of ASU Global Launch.

"Not every university has on-campus English immersion, and that was very impactful when they first arrived," said Troy Campbell, Associate Director for the Advancement of Student Initiatives at ASU.

Global Launch has played a pivotal role in supporting these women seeking refuge and education.

Since then, they have graduated from the ASU Global Launch Campus Immersion program and earned admission to Arizona State University degree programs. 

Hear inspiring stories of growth through English education and student support from three of those women, Nasiba Hakimi, Saliha Salihi, and Yalda Battori. 

Nasiba Hakimi

Nasiba Hakimi came to the United States from Afghanistan to study at the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. Despite her challenges as an international student, she completed the Campus Immersion program at Global Launch to work towards her bachelor's degree. Nasiba's resilience is an inspiration to our community and her story embodies Global Launch's mission to help students reach their educational goals

Saliha Salihi

Saliha Salihi is an Afghan student who came to the United States seeking educational refuge in a time of crisis. She overcame many challenges, such as culture shock and language barriers, as she completed her English education at Global Launch. Thanks to her perseverance and dedication to learning, she became a student at the Thunderbird School of Global Management, working towards creating learning opportunities for women worldwide.

Yalda Battori

Yalda Battori, a Global Launch alum, came to ASU from Afghanistan with a goal in mind: to continue her education in global health, driven by her passion for making a difference for women and refugees globally. Yalda's experience at ASU has been transformative, thanks to the support and opportunities provided by Global Launch. For Yalda, it was important to have the support of educators like Ms. Ipek and Mr. Velde to help her settle in a new country and adapt to

These smart, bold students are just a few of the many success stories from Global Launch. Through our immersive and innovative programs, students are better prepared to write in academic English and adjust to campus life in the United States. The time and space to adjust to the university and fine-tune English skills make a great impact on their academic success once admitted to ASU degree programs.