When I came here and started talking with people, I realized they are so nice and friendly. I had a great experience. ... Bridgewater has a strong academic program and diverse campus.
When Dr. Buthina Alobidyeen, G’09, traveled from Jordan to the United States for graduate school, she knew she would need a welcoming environment to ease the inevitable culture shock.
Alobidyeen found that perfect place at Bridgewater State, a school that helped her grow and thrive.
“When I came here and started talking with people, I realized they are so nice and friendly,” said Alobidyeen, who earned a master’s degree in business administration. “I had a great experience. ... Bridgewater has a strong academic program and diverse campus.”
Fifteen years after graduation, Alobidyeen is thrilled to be back at BSU as a visiting international scholar for the College of Graduate Studies. Now a professor at Jordan’s Tafila Technical University and a scholar of human resource management, Alobidyeen is continuing her research on women's roles in leadership, academia and business.
She is also attending workshops and conferences and fostering connections between BSU and Jordanian universities. She spoke about Jordanian youth and women with Bridgewater students studying the Middle East.
“It’s great to be back,” she said. “You have plenty of opportunities. You can learn a lot here.”
Alobidyeen pursued many of those opportunities as a Bridgewater student. She worked as a graduate assistant in the graduate studies office and taught Arabic language courses. She even served as student commencement speaker, delivering a speech reflecting on Bridgewater’s welcoming atmosphere that she said defies stereotypes about America.
While Jordanian education is rooted in exams, Alobidyeen often completed group assignments at Bridgewater that introduced her to new ways of learning and teaching.
“I improved my skills in critical thinking, problem solving and effective communication,” she said. “All of those things I learned from here.”
Alobidyeen said she left Bridgewater prepared to study in the UK, where she earned a doctorate from the University of South Whales. She went on to hold numerous positions at Tafila Technical University, including director of international projects and relations.
After finishing her time as a BSU visiting scholar in January, Alobidyeen plans to bring an even stronger international perspective back to Tafila.
“I like teaching and the opportunity to engage with diverse perspectives and contribute to lifelong learning,” she said. “It is really rewarding to work in higher education.”
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